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GOVERNOR NORRIS READS ADDRESS TO LEGISLATURE Continued From Page One.) the constitution provides that with an assessed valuation of less than $300, 000,000' the rate of taxation for state purposes may not exceed 2 mills, and with an assessed valuation of $300,000, 000 or over the rate may not exceed 1% mills. The income received from the tax levy of 1908 was approxi mately $630,000. It seems assured that in 1910 the assessed valuation will ex ceed $300,000,000, and in this event the income of the state from the source named will be only $450,000. This is a matter of sufficient mo ment to cause us to pause and give most careful thought to expenditures. I ask the exercise of the greatest pru dence in making appropriations. The legislative assembly makes the appro priations, and with it lies the respon sibility. I can only point out the dan ger and you must avert it by limiting appropriations. If the assessed valuation increases in 1910, as I confidently expect it will, and if you do not so limit appropria tions that there will be a considerable surplus from the income of this year to aid the decreased income of next year, a most grave condition of affairs will exist. It is to be regretted that the constitutional amendment provid ing for a regulation of the state tax levy, submitted at the last election, was defeated. A resubmission of a similar amendment seems imperative, and the hope is ixpressed that a more extensive knowledge of the needs of the state will produce a different re sult. MAKES AN ESTIMATE OF STATE REVENUES The state auditor has estimated the revenues of the state for the years 1909 and 1910, using as a basis an as sessed valuation of $275,000,000 for 1909 and $295,000,000 for 1910. My estimates of the assessed valua tions for the years named do not agree with those of the auditor, and I sub mit the following statement for your further information: Assessed valuation 1907......$251,822,437 Assessed valuation 1908...... 252,294,016 Increase in counties other than Silver Bow, 1908...... 13,437,422 Decrease in Silver Bow county, 1908 ............... 13,025,543 Net decrease in 1908......... 411,579 Depression in Value. The decrease in §ilver B3ow county was due to the falling off in the net proceeds of the mines and to the de pression in property values, occa sioned by the low price of copper and the closing of the mines. All mines are now operating and business has become normal. It is, therefore, rea sonable to suppose that the assessed valuation of Silver Bow county will show an increase in 1909 over 1908 of approximately $8,000,000. The general increase in values for 1909 in addition to that of Silver Bow county should be at least $18,000,000. In 1909 there will be about 900 miles of new railroad to assess, which at the present rate of valuation of like prop erty will add uier $16,000,000 to the assessment, making the assessed val uation of 1909 nearly $290,000,000. In 1910 there will be more than 300 miles of new railroad to assess, of a valuation of at least $5,000,000; the natural increase will add at least $15, 000,000 more, making a total of nearly $310,000,000 for 1910. Materially Raised. I have not taken account of an in crease in the assessed valuation of railroads. The increase in property values generally, which directly affects the values of railroad property, seem to justify the confident prediction that the assessed valuation of railroads will be materially raised in 1909 and 1910. My judgment is that in 1909 the as sessed valuation will be more than $290,000,000, and may approach the $300.000,000 mark, while in 1910 it will be at least $310,000,000. A NECESSITY EXISTS FOR STRICT ECONOMY Realizing the urgent necessity at this time for the strictest economy in state expenditures, and keeping within the prerogatives above referred to, I de sire to make some suggestions con cerning the expenses of the legislature.' Legislative sessions are expensive, and often more so than necessity re quires. The exercise of a minimum amount of business judgment will often result in the saving of money to the state. You serve as a check upon all ex penditures, in that you manike the ap propriations, and except for the execu tive vote, which can be over-ridden, there is no cnack upon your actions. In expenditures for legislative pur poses and making appropriations to pay the same, the executive vote is, under the circumstances, thore of a fiction than a reality. Very Expensive. You may avoid making some neces sary expenditures made by previous assemblies. The same bill has fre quently been introduced in the senate and house, favorably reported, and or dered printed by both the senate and house printing committees. This dou ble printing is expensive and serves no useful purpose-in fact, no purpose at all, except possibly to enable some ambitious member to send his admir ing constituents a printed bill of his introduction. Aside from the expense, much tilm is wasted. Each house is duly in formed of the notice of introduction and introduction of bills, and a little co-operation and joint action between the committees of the two nouses will prevent duplication of printed bills and will result in a considerable say lmng. It is to be hoped that you will not prr in the number and incompetency of your employes as many prevlnou assemblies have. The salaries paid legislative employes are reasonably re •munerative and the positions are eargerly sought, with the result that the number employed is often too great, and lack of qualification too frequent. Offices were not created to serve as training schools for incompeten.s, nor as rewards for unworthy favorites. For years there were levied and col lected special taxes upon horses, cat tle and sheep for the benefit of the bounty fund; upon cattle and horses for the benefit of the stock inspector and detective fund, and upon sheep for the benefit of the sheep inspection and indemnity fund. The special bounty tax, inclusive of 5 per cent of all licenses collected, was used to pay bounties on stock destroying animals. The stock Inspec tor and detective fund was used for the benefit of the cattle and horse in dustry, and the sheep inspection and indemnity fund was used for the benefit of the sheep industry. About two years ago it was found that the statutes providing for special levies of the kind named were uncon stitutional, and collections thereunder ceased. Bounties Paid. For two years bounties have been paid from the balance on hand in the bounty fund and the money received from licenses, which was, for the years 1907 and 1908, $67,590.43. There are now on file with the board of examiners claims amounting to $35,778, which cannot be paid for want of funds. During the next two years there will be filed bounty claims to the amount of at least $200,000. To discharge the total liability of $235,000 now due and to accrue under the present law, against the bounty fund, there will be only the sum to be received from licenses, estimated at $68.000, leaving unpaid claims for the next two years of about $167,000. Very Necessary. Bounties are very necessary for the protection of the stock interests, and in order that the full benefits may be received therefrom prompt payment of claims should be made. The present income of the state for general purposes will not permit the payment of bounty claims from the general fund. Those claims are legally authorized, cannot be repudiated, and must ultimately be paid. I recommend the submission of a constitutional amendment authorizing a special tax upon livestock to pay bounties and provide special protection to the live stock interests. The work of the board of stock com missioners and of the bhoard of sheep commissioners is so important and necessary for the stock interests that the same should not be handicapped by lack of the necessary funds until other arrangements are made. I recommend an appropriation from the general fund sufficient to carry on the work of these boards for the next two years. Are important. The inspection, eradication and pre vention of diseases among the live stock of the state are so important that no effort must be spared to pro vide sufficient funds for these pur poses. The stock boards and officers charged with such duties have per formed valuable service for the stock interests-services which must be con tinued. To permit our livestock to be come contaminated would entail large losses and do immeasurable harm. Your closest attention is called to the necessity for, and your most dis criminating judgment should be exer cised as to laws for the prevention and eradication of disease among the livestock. The state veterinary sur geon makes some valuable sugges tions in his report, to which your at tention is called. THE GOVERNOR FAVORS DI'RECT PRIMARY LAW I am firmly convinced that a law of general application providing for the nomination of party candidates for all elective offices, and United States senators, at primary elections, would prove beneficial. The primary elections should be held on the same day throughout the state; all parties should be required to make their nominations at the same pri maries, and every safeguard neces sary to secure a fair expression of the voters should be provided for. In advance of action by congress, which seems to be long delayed, amending the constituten of the United States so that senators may be elected by voters direct, I suggest the enactment of a law similar to that now in force in Oregon, which pro vides that the legislators may pledge themselves in advance of election to elect the choice of the voters as sena tor. STRICT REGULATIONS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED All elections should he fairly and honestly conducted, and the voters should be permitted to express their choice of candidates and principles without fear, coercion, undue influ ence or corruption of any kind or character. The corrupt practice act now in force,is so wholly insufficient and its provisions are so farcical that it has not been observed and its enforcement has not been attempted. You should enact a law prohibiting the use of paid workers employed by candidates, or in aid of candidates; clearly defin ing the purposes for which, and the amount of money that may be ex penled by candidates or committees; providing that all candidates and com Vittees, or any person or persons act ing for such, candidates or commit tees, must file true, correct and veri fled statements of all expenses, and fixing a sufficient punishment for a failure to observe and comply with the law, which punishment should, in the case' of successful candidates, ex tend to the deprivation of the office to which such candidate was elected. GOOD THOROUGHFARES HIGHLY NECESSARY Quick and easy transportation of products from the points of production to the markets is beneficial both to the producer and consumer. Good roads are necessary for quick trans portation, and to insure good roads adequate laws for the building and re pair of the highways are necessary. Your consideration of this very im portant question is requ sted. If the funds of the state would per mit, I would favor state supervision of and state assistance to road build ing and repair. The suggestion has often been made and strongly urged that the short term convicts confined in the state prison bshould be used in road building. The over-crowded condition of the state prison would at least be relieved by such use of such inmates. If it would appear that working the con victs on the public roads would con flict with the interests of the laboring men of the state, it should not be per mitted. No such conflict. however, seems apparent or has been repre sented to me. EXECUTIVE FAVORS A GUARANTEE FUND The creation of a feeling of security by bank depositors in the safety of their deposits, and the prevention of runs on banks by depositors in times of financial stringency, are most de sirable. When financial conditions are normal, laws providing relief can be more sensibly and practically consid ered. This, therefore, is a favorable time to enact a law guaranteeing banks against runs and protecting de psitors in case of bank failures. I strongly recommnend the enact esent of a law which provides that the banksa'swll pay a certain amount, from time to time, based upon their deposits, into a guarantee fund, suffi cient to insure depositors in failed banks against loss; this fund to he in the custody of the state treasurer or a commission, and to be paid out to depositors of failed banks an'cording to the provisions of law. In the event of the passage of this law, the mnaxinmum rate of interest to be paid by hanks on time loans should be fixed, more stringent provisions regulating the organization and ex amination of banks should be male. and every possible safeguard to hbankers and depositors should he pro vided. VETERANS OF WAR RECEIVE THEIR PAY During the year Ihave received from the government of the United States the sum of $31,368, payable to the vet erans of the Spanish-American war for services rendered by them between the time of enrollment and mustering into service. The federal statutes prohibit the placing of this money in the state treasury, and it was deposited in bank to the credit of the governor. I ap pointed Julius Barney, department commander of the United Spanish American War Veterans. paymaster, and have paid each of the veterans, when properly identified, the amount allowed him, less 15 per cent for at torney's fees, by check signed by me as governor and countersigned by Ju lius Barney as paymaster. Governor Toole, through whose ef forts this money was obtained, se cured tlhe services of Messrs. Calhoun & Sizer, atorneys of Washington, I). C., who prosecuted the claim, and ar ranged to pay them 15 per cent of the amount received for their compensa tion. The 15 per cent named was deducted from the amount allowed each veteran and paid to the attorneys. The work of identifying and paying the veterans has involved much very careful work on the part of Mr. Bar ney, and I desire to publicly express my appreciation and thangs for the services. I recommend that a reasonable com pensation be paid him for his services. Reports of Officers and Boards. The reports of many of the officers and boards are not referred to or com mented on in this message. The fail ure to do so is not occasioned by any lack of appreciation of the reports and the many valuable suggestions contained therein, but is due rather to the desire not to present a message of unusual length. Youri attention is called to all these reports, and to the suggestions and recommendations therein contained. PERSONAL SECURITIES ,ARE RATHER RISKY I am convinced of the wisdom of a law requiring that official bonds of state and county officers should be surety company bonds, and that the state in the case of state officers, and the county in the case of county offi cers, should be required to pay the cost thereof. Bonds with individuals as securitibs may be good and sufficient, and the approving officer or board does not in every instance possess the neces sary information to pass intelligently upon the sufficiency of the sureties. When defaults are made by officers, the security is often found to be in sufficient, and the taxpayers suffer a loss thereby. The state board of examiners has lately adopted a rule to approve only surety comnay bonds to secure to banks a deposit of state funds, and I think this should be made a positive provision of the law. The state of Idaho regulates by law the price surety companies may charge for bonds, and the wisdom of such a law will doubtless occur to you. LEGISLATION NEEDED ON TIMBER PROBLEMS During the years 1906 and 1907, the state board of land commissioners, at three separate sales, sold to the Northwestern Lumber company, G. W. Millet and the Somers Lumber com pany, timber and timber lands to the amount of 50,950.72 acres, for the sum of $698,604.80. In June, 1908, Edward Dickey and others preferred charges to the effect that the sales were made contrary to law and that the reasonable value of the timber and lands was not received therefor. The state board of land coin missioners ordered an investigation of the charges and a hearing was had at Kalispell, July 22 to July 27, Inclu sive. I thereafter made written find ings upon the facts printed, and also caused a check re-estimation of a part of the timber sold, to be made. A transcribed copy of the evidence taken at the hearing with the exhibits, briefs presented by the attorneys, the report of the check re-estimation of the tim ber, and all documents relating to the sale and hearing are on file in the of fice of the register of state lands and subject to your use and inspection. To Reconvey. During the hearing, representatives of the purchasers offered to reconvey the land and timber sold to the state, upon repayment of the purchase price and interest thereon. After a full consideration of all the facts, I recommend if there .is a le gal way to do so, such offers be ac cepted and that you make the neces sary appropriations from the land grant funds therefor, and enact the necessary laws providing for such re conveyance. This action on your part would likely settle a controversy that has aroused some feeling and would prove profita ble to the state. There are no officers of boards, other (Continued on Page Eight.) SPECIAL SALE DAYS NOW AT DONOHUE'S Keep close watch of the papers now and keep informed of the big savings to .e, made from day to day, because rousing good specials will appear from time to time. After the heavy strain that ('hristnms purchasing puts upon the purse, sav ings made possible by special sales are appreciated. lhere are some fine specials to start them off. $10 for Ladies' Black Broadcloth Coats Your Choice of 25 Coats Worth Up to $22.50 The popularity of the long black hrcoadcloth coats was never more manifest than iat the present time, and there is every ,reason to believe that they will be worn for several seasons yet to come. T'his special sale comes in midseason and is hound to be appreciated by those with scant money. 1 ATERIIIALS-Fine quality of black broadcloth. STYLES-Loose and semi-fitting, full length. $ 1 TIIMMINGS--Black satin braid, velvet inlaid collars aml turned up cuffs. LIINNG--Good grade white or bla(ck Skinner satin throughout. TWO EXTRAORDINARY SUIT SPECIALS Ladies' $20 to $25 Misses $12.50 and $15 Suits Reduced to Suits Reduced to 1 $15 Choice of thirty suite similar to illus- $7.50 and $10 trations and some1 perhaps would please you better. C(onsidering the present re duced price those suit are excellent bar- There are mre than enty uits n this gains and the least you .an afford to dI There r re n tnty ut In th ts to call in and give thent close Inspec- asortmont and the sizes range between 11 tion. years and 16 years. They are such hand MATERIALS - Herring- some suits that many stores would regular bone stripes, diatgonal, ly ask $15 straight through Our special broadclothxtu, serges and prices make them a good saving and at the fancy mixtures. STYLES-Modified direct- same time you are getting the best. oire effect with the long coat and full gored skirts. MATERIALS - erges and TRIMMINGS-wide and $o fancy novelty sultings. narrow braids artistlcally STYLES-Late winter, with applied, bands of velvet and nobby vest effects-reefer or and self materials, large semi-fitting coats, skirts full, polished and fancy but- long and wide flare. II ýo tons. TRIMMINGS-Harmoniously COLORS-All the. staple colored braids, straps of self colors and most beautiful materials, buttons. color combinations and COLORS-Mixed grays, tans. fancy mixed. browns and red or navy. Stock Reducing Sale of 1 Closing Out / Shoes Continued PRICE Sale of PRICE Those who contemplate buying any more shoes this winter would do well to take special note of our Higgins avenue M ILLIN E RY windows. Some snug savings can be made, but it may last only a few days longer. When stocks reach normal the Every trimmed hut in the house, regardless of style or sale will be discontinued, price, to close out at one-half the regular price. Customary After Holiday Sale of Furs Since the founding of this concern it has been our custo n to offer furs at extraordinary reduced prices. Our line of furs being the largest and best in the city, you naturally expect the greatest reductions of us. You are never disap pointed. The sale includes single muffs, scarfs, stoles and four-in-hand ties, as well as complete sets. A partial list of pieces and prices are herewith described: Coney Scarfs-Brown or black, two large brushes; selling Collar Pieces-Isabella opossum, river mink, sable, squirrel; regularly at $1.50; sale price ...........................................90 beautifully made up in values worth up to $12.50; sale price ................................... ..........$650 20 Scarfs--River mink, opossum, Isabella fox; values in the Every set in the house, without exception, offered at a lot up to $6; sale price .................................... ..................$2.98 special price. Children's Sets--Elegant little novelties and made up in 10 15 Four-in-Hands-Same qualities of fur, much longer and different styles and colors; selling regularly up to $2.50; handsomer; values up to $10.50; sale price ................ 5.00 sale price ............................................................. 1. House Cleaning Sale Bed Linens Slaughter Sale of Misses' and and Spreads Children's Coats These lines are marked particularly close already, and the $7.50 AND $8 VALUES NOW ONLY $3.98 special prices now make them doubly good values. Our regular $1.25 spread, full size, nice collection of pat These are the greatest coat values that have been offered Our regular $1.25 spread, full size, nice collection of pat for this season. There is not a "left over" in the lot and all terns; hemmed; special at ...................... ....................89y are fresh new goods-this season's shipment. The fabrics Our $1.85 bedspread; fringed all around; cut corners; full used in the making of these splendid coats are heavy eoat size; famous Marseilles patterns; now on special sale ing materials, well made and roomy, bound to be warm and at .......................................$1.39 comfortable. There are plenty of plain and mixed colors, Soiled bedspreads, mussed and crumpled during the holiday making choosing easy. Snug little box styles, inlaid vel rush; selling regularly at $3 to $5; plain white and fancy vet collars and just enough finishings to make "48Q ones with pink or blue grounds ...................HALF-PIICI E them neat and desirable .......... ................... Our 75c sheets, extra large size, good quality material; size 81x90; wide hem; special .......................................50¢ Black Sateen W aists 42x36, hemmed pillow cases to match, three-inch hem; nice quality cotton casing; special at ..............................12 1-2¢ Special at 98c Our $1.25 sheets, first quality of sheeting, none better; torn and hemmed; during house cleaning sale ........................75¢ CHOICE OF BIG LINE WITH VALUES TO $1.50 45x36 cases to match, same quality; selling regularly at 35c Every woman should have a black sateen waist, and seeing each; now special at .............................25¢ our special sale pIi'ice is so low you could do worse than to get a few for everyday wear. They are made of a good qual ity black sateen, pintucked or plaited yoke, open back or T hree H osiery Specials font, full lengt sleeves and comfortable collars. There are at least four lozens, so there is a complete range of sizes. Children's fleeced hose, superfine quality, nice, close rib, Values in the lot up to $1.50. Sale price................. very elastic; sizes 8 1-2 to 10; selling regularly at 25c; spe cial at ................. ........... ................... Two Good Knit Goods Specials Ladies' fast black cotton hose, genuine Maco stitch, split Knit underskirts, good length, making them a sure proteec foot; a hose selling every day at 50c; now on special sale at tion from the cold; heavy peeler or pink; easily adjusted; three pairs for ........................... .. .. . . ..........$1.00 sale price ......... ............... ................... 50¢ and 25 Ladies' finest silk hose, our regular $1.50 quality, in all the Two-piece underwear, close knit, but comfortable; fleeced staple colors and any desired shade; closing out now for back; a rousing good value; selling regularly at 50c; spe only ....... .................. ............... .. $1.00 l sale price ........l...p............ . .......... ..e ....... 25 D. J. DONOHUE CO.