Daily globe. [volume], January 05, 1883, Page 2, Image 2

About Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
I
ANNUAL MESSAGE
-OF
GO?. LUCIMBBAED.
DELIVERED TO THE MINNESOTA
LEGISLATURE JAN. 4, 1883.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of
Representatives:
You ujsouiblo vi« tlilo time a^i\i: ciieuni-
Btanees favorable for careful and cousid •
crate action upon the questions that will
command your attention. You bring with
you from your several localities the assur
ance that the people of the state ar« pros
perous, and enjoying that feeling of con
tentment that follows well-rewarded indus
try. The various material interests of the
state have developed and prospered during
the past two years to an extent not «x
--ceeded by any previous experience tor a
like period in her history, and aIL existing
conditions are favorable to a continued
rapid and healthy growth. Tire -exercise
of a wise and careful judgment upon your
part in the deliberations of this session,
will greatly aid in realizing f«r our state
that promise which the future presents be-!
fore 08.
It is a pleasure, gentlemen, to greet you
as the first legislative «sseirbjy 'convened
in the new capitol Inulding. Though in a
somewhat incomplete state, it wiil doubt
less afford jovi eeiScient facilities for the
proper prosecution of your duties.
The old territorial capitol, coca plated in
1853, whs destroyed by fir© on fee night of
March 1. 1881, daring the last days of the
session of tbe legislature of that year. It
was thought probable immediately after
the fire, that ike foundation asd a portion
■of the walls of] the burned bcilding could
be utilized far a new structure, and an ap
propriation ef $ 7*,G00 was made with the
expectation that the expenditure of that
sum would substantially restore the old
building. It was decided attar a more
thorough inspection that at would be un
safe to build upon tho ruins of the old
capitol. It was then determined by my
predecessor to erect aa entirely new
structure, and the plans of this building,
were adopted by him, and the foundation
laid during the summer of 1881. The
abandonment of the old .building and the
adoption of new placs involved a much
greater expenditure than was anticipated
or had been provided for. At the extra
session of November, 1881, an additional
appropriation of $100,000 was made to
and furnish" the new building,
which bus* it was provided by the terms of
the act making the appropriation should
"complete the buiMing in all respects."
The autumn meothe of 1881 were very un
favorable for the prosecution of bailding
operations, henoe, no work was done upon
the superstructure though it waa largely
contracted for, aad a portion of the ma
terial for the walls and roof delivered up
on the ground.
Upon a caref ol examination of the mat
ter shortly after say accession to the exec-
utive office, I felt much doubt as to the
sufficiency of the amount appropriated to
-complete the building according to the
plans adopted and the terms of the act of
the legislature. 5. therefore called upon
the architect f«r an estimate of the amount
required to complete the building, includ
ing what had already been expended. In
response thereto he submitted an estimate
aggregating $245,000.
This was largely in excess of the appro
priations made, which were 184,000 includ
ing $9,000 made for repairs, etc., for the
old capitol, whiok were deemed available
for the now building. This exhibit .which
showed a deficiency of $61,000 was disap
pointing and a surprise to many who be
lieved the appropriations were sufficient to
complete the building. I was assured by
gentlemen familliar with the facts, among
whom were members of the legislature to
whom the details had been submitted, that
the final appropriation for the purpose was
understood to be ample to cover the fall
estimates of the architect. A further con
saltation with the architect disclosed the
fact that he had made some months pre
vious and submitted to ncy predecessor an
•estimate contemplating a oaeaper con
struction and a finish of quite a
different character and which
omitted some essential features of the
bailding altogether, notably the tower,
fire proofing, etc., which reduced his fig-
ures to a point within the appropriations.
It appeared, however, that the estimate
was made at a time when labor
and material were cheaper, that ,
the earns figures even for the cheaper finisk ■
could not then be duplicated. I made a '
formal call upon the architect for his
lower estimate which was furnished, but
which in my judgment it was not for the in
terest of the state to adopt, as it contem
plated a very cheap interior finish of the
building, excluding all fire proof features,
and in most respects quite out of harmony
with the exterior construction, the con
tracts for which were already let. The
lower estimate was, however, out of the
question in any event as it was made upon
the basis (as stated by the architect) of
price 3 for labor and material below those
prevailing or at which it was possible to
obtain them. The correspondence and
estimates referred to are submitted for your
farther information.
The appropriations being entirely inad
equate for the completion of the bailding,
I had determined to prosecute the work so
far as to complete the contracts already
lot, and add such further expenditure as
would eaclose the structure and protect it
from the elements, and await future ao
tion of the legislature. Upon the an
nonncementof this determination upon my
part, a tender of $40,000 was made to me
by citizens of St. Paul, for the purpose of
patting the building in condition to be
occupied by the legislature at this session.
The tender was made without conditions,
ard was accepted without assurances upon
my part (which, of course, I could not
give) as to the future re-imbnrsement of
the persons making it. I was encouraged
by this generous action of the citizens of
St. Paul to continue the work, and there
upon made additional contracts and pur
chases of material necessary to prepare
the building for your ocoupancy. Though
I incurred no obligation to do so in ac
cepting this aid, yet I feel it is due the
gentlemen whose liberality and public
spirit thus cams to the rescue, as well as
to the dignity of the state, that I should
recommend that the amount thus tendered
and expended be returned to them.
The estimates of the architect for the
work already done and authorized are
largely exceeded by the actual cost of the
same; and to meet this exces3 aad to pro-
vide the dome to the tower, stone steps to
the several entrances and prepare and en
close th« grounds an additional sum will
also be required. I have called upon the
architect to prepare final estimates cover
ing the entire completion of the structure
which will Boon be submitted and which*
will probably show that about $120,000
will be uecessry to meet the full and final
cost of the building, including the $40,000
received from the source referred to. I'
therefore recommend that an appropria-.
tion «ef the sum named bo made. It will
require an addititional stun to furnish the!
rooms ocoupied by the several depart
ments, a careful estimate of which will be
submitted at an early day, mid for which;
as appropriation shorl: 1 be n:esi» !•
I have given the work cf construction '
cpon this building much personal atten
tion. I have been careful that -every item
of expenditure should be «s carefully
and economically made -m possible.
I believe the *tato <ha 3
received value: . for •every dollar
expended, notwithstanding rauch of the
work has been done at son** disadvantage.
To put the building in condition to bo oc
cupied by your body, necessitated the em
ployment of labor with Jess economy, to
some extent, than might have bean done
had more time been till*.wed. The first
brick was laid upon the&emndatioc on the
4thday of last April, hemoe the construc
tion of this almost completed structure has
covered a period of but mine months time.
It is in all essential respects a lire proof
building. It will fur pish ample accom
modation for all departments of the state
government for a generation to come. It
will cost when completed in *11 respects,
about $300)000; and I state with confi
dence, my belief, that contracts could not
foe .made to day to do plicate this structure
for the money it wiil have cost when com
pleted.
In this connection it is proper that I
should refer to th>3 generous offer made
by the city of St. Paul of their market
house for the use ef the stats pending the
construction of the new CLpitol. Before
the illumination caused by the burning of
the old capitol had begun to fade, the city
of St. Paul through its authorities tendered
to Gov.^Pillsburj the use of the market
house for the legislature and state officers.;
and nearly at the hour foe its usual meet
ing., on the following dap, the legislature
was engaged in the. routsae of its regular
order in the new-quartere thus provided.
Tha -state has occupied ti\e building since
that time, a period of twenty-two months.
It has been no inconsiderable sacrifice
upon -the part of the city and her citizens ;
to be deprived of the facilities and con- ;
veniences this building was : designed to '
afford them. Its use- has been of very great.,
public benefit. I submit that it would be
but just for the state-to compensate the
city in reasonable amount for the use she
has made of the building, that it does not
comport with the dignity of the state to
remain in money values the beneficiary of
any citizens or municipalities.: This sug
gestion is wholly my own, no intimation ;
having ever reached me that compensation
was desired or would be accepted.
FINANCES.
The following -statement made by the
auditor's department exhibits the financial
operations of the state treasury during the
past two years:
JIECSIPTS.
1880. 1881.
Cash balance November
SO, 1880 _ $264,151 99
Conk balance November
80,1831 $557,744 27
State taxes 504,666 80 402,600 08
Taxes from railroad,in- ;<"
surance and tolegr&ph
companies 362,294 75 509,883 43
. Fees ef insurance ccm
panies 6,534 00 6,355 00
Payments by comities
for seed grain loans,
1877-8 35,860 13 18,405 93
Board of U. 8. cob-
Ticts.....: 753 75 494 25
County indebtedness to
reform school 9,845 00 21,391 18
Ixtereet on state de
posits 12,53165 8,417 23
U. 8. 5 per cent, on
sales, of public lands. 8,115 93 .49,56148
Sales of grass on -■ '". •' '•■
school lands 746 28 1,293 11
Sale of pine timber on
state lands 26,682 47 89,174 68
Principal received at ■ ■„.... ■■■■•. .
sales of school lands.. ,€7,025 46 20,718 65
Principal receded on " ■ '
former sales school - '
lands 184,774 07 210,803 21
Interest raid on con
tracts school lands.. 171,587 16 167,157 46
Principal receded at \
.sales of Int. Imp.
lands 21,85100 8,810 74
Principal received for- \; >-
mer sales Int. Imp.
lands 9,440 58 23,387 89
Interest paid on con
tracts Int.lmp. lands 30,147 27 82,832 78
Principal received sales ; -
of Ag. Col. & Un.
lands... 6,589 68 464 35
Principal received for
| mer sales Ag. Col. &
Un. lands 10,703 18 12,027 50
Interest paid on con
. tracts Ag, Col. dsUn.
lands 20,213 83 20^26 50l
Interest paid on pine I
etumpago accounts.. 438 58 2,883 178
Interest paid Col. & I
lands 20,213 8* 20,326 50|
Interest paid on pine I
stum page accounts.. 438 58 2,833 I'm
Interest paid on perma- I
nent school fund bonds 103,698 33 81,225 101
Interest paid on perma- I
nent university fund I
b0nd5....... , 9,355 00- 9,475 00l
Interest paid on Inter- I
sal Imp. land fund I
bonds 9,500 00 4,010 OOi
Redemption of Minn. I
bonds 1873-8 100,100 00 104,000 Oo]
Redemption of U. S. I
bends 6s gold 10,000 00 I
Redemption of Mo. 69, 21,000 GOfl
Payment by counties . I
for school text books 13,547 92 12,066 Ssfl
Insurance on state li- I
brary 10,200 00 ■
Sole of U. 5.4.4 per cent. ■
I Sale of U. ..'. .§839,00>J 395,617 ■
bonds $589,00->» 395,617 69
Sale of U. S. 6 per cent. ■
bonds $212,100 272,192 Col
Sale of Mo. 6 per cent. H
' bonds..;,.. #123,000 '- ..-"'"X 135.594 f.a|
Miscellaneous..... 3,350 24 2,09S on
Totals .... $1,979,558 06 $3,201,416 iM
DISBURSEMENTS. :' - - ' j-. I
1881. 1882. M
Legislative expenses, I
• regular session .$ 73,206 03 $ 18 Col
Legislative expenses, H
extra session 46,182 35 „.....'. I
Senate .'court of mi- H
"peachment..•............../.,. 25,567 65fl
Executive - 63,545 74 59,980 IB
Judicial.. ;*. .•."...-.-.;. 69,796 86 J9 < "502 4?H
Support of insane hos- - * ' :-i. •::-'. ■ •■ : .■; ; • H
pitals, prison,': re^'-ior;} ;..'V f . ■ ■
form school, deaf, : H
dumb, blind and ire- . ._ H
beciles, and | normal :.Jvl '•'^H
9 5ch0015....:...-..:; GOO, 465 47 " : 312,418 008
Support of university. , 47,000 00 l ' 43,881 4IH
Public buildings.:./. 174,617 24 331,983 5H
Public printing and ;*" ' '..•-, ■''-■ • -.■ , , ,
stationery -. r. r.~':.-. 83,989 79 .* 33,208 3<H
Printing laws in news- ■ - ■ 1/ ]^M
paper 5......;....;. 82,044 60 1,305 40M
Interest on state debt, - . ; ■
loans '78 and '78... 19,485 55 11,706 isH
Interest on state debt, H
R. B. Ad'g state ' ■
bonds. .......... 88,135 451
Apportioned school , : ■
funds 259,414 96 259,697 6»
Purchase of bonds for S H
invested funds, in- 1
eluding premiums, H
etc. 79,872 65 1,596,005 GoH
Agricultural and hor- ■
ticultural societies. 5.06 91 4,152 78H
Historical society.... 8,963 83 8,391 OsH
State board of health, ■
equalization, immi-'
trntion, farmers'
board of trude . 9,069 77 6,851 5«
Training schools and H
institutes... 2,765 09 3,235 00l
Fish commissioners... 3,700 00 4,500 OoH
Selling state lands... 5,697 86 3,291 Ojl
•MS SETPAUL DAILY GLOBfe, tfJfIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 5 1883.
School textbooks... 18,617 81 11,420 23
Redemption of state
bond of "78 and '78. 100,000 00 104.C00 00
Miscelktoeoua 80,147 18 .71,429 25
-, $1,421,812 79 $3,058,817 21
Balances In treas
ury Nov. 80.... $557,744 27 $148,098 58
To the credit of the following fands:
Nov. 30,1881. Not. 80,1882.;
State institution* $82,746 87 §20,246 91'
Intorost... 6,230 58 6,818 If
Sulking 16,050 79 582 91
Seed grain sinking. 6,394 91! . 800 €5
Permanent school 317,09198 104,172 54
Graeral school. 80,015 06 18,657 27
Permanent university. 46,232 17 16,063 11
General university... 81,701 91 12,459 98
internal improvement 4,865 49 10,653 88
Internal improvement
1and5........ 93.539 71 65,910 82
School textbook.... 1,317 05 1,863 82
Forestry 25,G56 10
Swampland 2,013 68
Totals .3636,088 63 ?|85,90S 94
Deduct revenue fund,
overdraft .... 78,342 36, 142,810 36
Cr.Bh in treasury $557,744 27 $143,098 58
| This statement, in its general aspect,
though indicating a healthy condition of
the treasury—there being an apparent
credit balance of $143,098.53 at the end of
tho last fiscal year—is misleading in some
of its details. While there is the amount in
the treasury as stated, the revenue fund,
from which must be paid all legislative, ex
ecutive, judicial and other general ex
penses, is overdrawn to the amount of
$142,810.36/ This overdraft is cai»ied
largely by the trust funds of the state,
which otherwise would have a considerable
available-surplus for "permanent invest
ment. The limit to which such overdraft
is allowed 'by law is $050,000. \ It therefore
appears that there is practically no money
in tbe treasury available to pay the expen
ses of your body or other departments of
the state government. It is true "you tan
authorize a still further overdraft, but this
manner of relieving the revenue fund is not
in accord with suck principles of finance as
should govern the management of the
treasury. As a temporary expedient to
meet an -exigency that could not be fore
seen, it k perhaps permissible, but as a
practice, it is wrong, The large overdraft
new is caused by several extraordinary ex
penditures, such as the extra -session of
1881, the 1 Cox impeachment trial, rebuild
ing the capitol, interest on the railroad ad
justment bond?, etc., for which no account
was taken in the tax levy of the past year.
While the legislature of 1881 made appro
priations for all these accounts, it did not
make provision to increase therevenne to
meet them.
The actual receipts from taaos and other i
sources that provide the revenue f nnd,have ;
exeeded the estimated receipts the past two
years, $34£,6&0.06, but the actual' expendi- j
tures have exceeded the estimates, $76-1,- ;
814.-46, during the same time, as appears
in detail in the following statement:
Estimated and actual, receipts --and disburse
ments, in 1881 and I£B2, for expenses of the
•stato.government and support «"f etate institu
tions:
—KECEIPTS-
Estimated. Actual.
State taxes $398,000 $411,518 51
Railroad . and telegraph
companies 290,080 330,625 50
Transfer from Imbecile
Asylum land 7441
Miscellaneous sources.. 55,000 70,643 08
Balance in treasury, .
Nov.. 30, 1889 188,000 188,927 01
i $881,000 $951,788 51
DISBURSEMENTS.
Laeg-isL'ituro, regular
session $100)600 $73,206 03
Leetilature, extra ses
sion 46,132 85
Executive 55,000 63,545 74
Judicial 50,000 69,796 36
Printing 25,000 83,289 79
Miscellaneous and over- 56,600 143,664 38
Support of institutions.. 280,000 300,465 47
Buildings and repairs... 100,000 174,616 24
Interest on state bonds.. 13.000 19,485 55
Totals $679,C00 8924,052 91
Surplus $202,000 $26,835 60
Transfer to ssnking sand. 116.201 01
Surplus available for 1882 10,634 59
■yK 1882—receipts. : ■:-'
State tax $150,000 $311,205 16
Railroad companies 235,009 470,556 66
Miscellaneous 63,000 107,719 85
Surplus 202,000 10,684 59
Overdiaft lees balances. 118,745 28
■ Totals ......V.... $740,000 $1,015,861 55
DISBUBBEMENXS.
Impeachment court;... 1. $28,585 65
Executive $55,000 59,980 19
Judicial ........ 50,000 79,502 47
Printing... 15,000 ' 33,208 ?.4
Miscellaneous 56.000 70,095 80
Support of institutions. 314,000 312,413 00
Interest on state bonds 7,000 11,706 15
Interest on state bonds,
R. R. adjustment 88,086 45
Building, state .... 331,983 50
Totals .$497,000 $1,015,861 55
.. This statement shows the actual dis
bursements the past year, for which ap
propriations were mada in 1881, to hare
exceeded the estimated disbursement more
than 100 per cent.
The estimated receipts and disburse
ments for 1883 and 1884 are ac follows:
REVENUE FUND.
RECEIPTS— 1888.
State taxes $315,000 00
Insurance co.s taxes .
and fees..., 47,500 00 I:
Counties for inmates of
Reform school ...... 16,600 00
Prison rent and labor.. 10,000 00
Interest on deposits.. 10,000 00
U. S. convicts and mis
cellaneous 1,509 00 $400,000 00
EXPENDITURES—IBB3.
Overdraft N0v.50,1882.5142,810 35
Univ. bldgs. grounds
and furniture on
books 82,000 00
Capitol repairs and fur
nishing on b00k?... 5,714 53
Prison wolle, etc., on
books 10,390 93
Executive estimate. . . 65.000 00
Judicial estimate...... 84,00!) 00
Capitol building den- I
ciency.. 120,000 00 ■ I
Capitol furnishing.... 25,C00 00 I
Court of Impeachment I
deficiency 14,.00 00 ■ '. I
Legislative" expenses.. 89,000 00 I
Printing.. .'..'......•... 85,000 00 I
Printing laws in news- • ■ - . . •' ' H
papers....... . 20,000 00 ■ ■'; I
Miscellaneous......... 85,000 0) $763,915 43 1
Estimated excess of expenditures..s369,9lo 501
til' ;.irs«r. ;;;f.j' BECEIPTS—IBB4. .. I
State taxes ........ $32' ,000 00 ' I
Insurance Co's taxes . .. • , 1 I
and fees :.....' 50,000 I
Countios' inmates .of '. 17,010 00 : • I
Prison rent and labor I 15.0C0 00 -'- ■ \ '' I
Interest on deposits.. 10^000 P0 -' • I
Miscellaneous.......^' 2,000 00 $414,009 CO
; EXPE>TW*T7BES—IBB4. : •■■ ," I
Executive..; V..1.;.. $67,500 00 ■ i..' . ■
Judicial:..•'.■.■..■..:.;.■■■■ 84,000 00 ' .: I
■ Printing ..:..;...;..v ,i; 15,000 00 . ■
Miscellaneous -80,000 00 $246,500 CoH
. 5urp1u5..^.............;... $167,500 00l
STATE INTSITUTIONS FUND. I
, ; RECEIPTS— IBB3. > ■
Railroad companies' :■-','..;; ■
! taxes. $500,000 00 ■
Telegraph companies' H
taxes 5.P00 00 ■
• — ■ ~- $505,000 00 ■
EXPENDITURES. H
Support of First In- • - H
sane hospital .$131,625 00 H
Support of Second In- H
sane hospital...... 62,400 00 i ■
Support of Deaf, ;«; ; : ■
Dumb, Blind and ■
Imbecile Institute.. 50,000 00 H
Support of prison 60,000 00 - H
Support of Reform ■ .';v>> i";'
school.and deficien- H
cy.... 42,50115 ■
Support of Normal H
Ech0015........... 38,000 00 ■
Lupport of Historical
50ciety............ 4,000 00
Interest on Minnesota
4&'B/B. adjust
ment bonds ' 59,760 00
— $448,266 05
"Surplus 966,723 95
RECEIPTS—IBB4.
Brulroud companies'
fixes 6550,00 00 I
Telegraph .compa
nies' taxe5....... 5,000 00 6555,000 00
■ EXPENDITURES.
Support of First In
sane hospital $141,375 CO
Support of Second
Insane hospital.. 72,500 00 .*■' '.
Support of Deaf,
Dumb, Blind and
imbecile ;nstitnto 60,000 00
Support of prison.. 65,000 00
Support of Reform
5ch001........... 35,000 00 "">
Support of Normal
schools 88,000 00
Support of Histori- v '
cal society....... 4,000 00
♦Interest,, on Minn.
4K R. R. adjust
" ment bonds:....'. 84,580 00 ■•■•'• •^.. :si.
•r T4! V- tSBQ,VS 00
Surplus .....,/ 44,245 00
♦Interest on these bonds not included "in these
estimates will be paid from fu nda $>rovi.led by
chap. 71, gen. laws, ex sees. 18?jl.
From the above showing there appears
an estimated deficiency in the revenue fund
including the present overdraft of $ 368,
--■915.88 in 1883 and an estimated surplus of
$167,500 of the same fund in 1884- The
present and prospective deficiency in the
revenue fond should engage your early at
tention. A further overdraft except for
momentary relief ought not to be consid
ered; an increase in the tax levy would
bring no relief until another year. The
only resource-left is a temporary loan. An
issue of bonds at a low rate of interest to
such an -amount within the 'constitutional
limit as may -Beam to bo required after a
thorough, examination, redeemable at the
pleasure of the state after one year from
their issue, corld be taken by the trust :
funds ■*?hich have carried this overdraft for ;
so long a time. The entire issue could •
probably be redeemed wi&in three years
from tne surplus revenue without increas- :
ing tbe tax levy to any considerable extent,
The auditor in the above estimates of re
ceipts and disbursements has not included
any part of the amounts asked for by the
state institutions for additional buildings,
enlargements or repairs.
The increase in the permanent trust
funds of the state daring tho biennial
peci«dJju3t closed have -been as follows;
1881. 18!:2.
Permacent school
! f ue«3 8-100,262 54 1536,885 $3
! Permanent University
fund .. 83,274 25 • 68,303 87
Internal Improvement
bad fond 183,350 91 20G,951 59
■ $822,837 70 . $791,620 89
j The present standing of these funds is
clefciiy shown by tho following statement:
PEEMANENT SCHOOL FUND.
$299,000 U. S. 6 per cent, cur
rency $305,41905
$25,000 Minn.' 7 per cent, 1 cur
rency, loan of 1673 25,000 00
$6LOCO Mica. 6 per cent, cur
rency, loan of 1878 61,000
$1,038,000 Minn. 4>£ /per cent.
railroad adlustment 1,033,000 00
$668,000 Missouri 6 per cent, cur
rency 875,416 92
Land contracts bearing 7 per '
cent..' :. 2,898,769 49
Cash. 104,172 54
Unpaid drafts 69,557 23
$5,372,826 28
rERJIAXEXT TISIVER3ITY FUND. ':
$241,000 Minn. 4% per cent, rail
road adjustment $241,000 00
Land contracts bearing 7 per cent 354,374 62:
Unpaid drafts....: 3,937 83
Cash. i 16,003 11
Experimental farm 8,500 00
Fruit farm 1,309 10
1625,124 66
INTERNAL IMPEOrEMEN T LAND FUND.
$322,000 Minn. 4% per cent rail- ■ t
road adjustment $822,000 00
Land -contracts bearing 7 per cent. 703,518 80
Unpaid drafts 19,647 66
Cast-.... : .....v.. 65,910 32
■ $1,111,076 78
H Of the 3.000,000 acres which it is estimat-
Hea will eventually inure to the state for
■tho uee of schools there have been sold
H7Ji0,801.23 acres. There are unsold 601,-
M 638.47 acres appraised at $3,310,020, and
Habout 1,600.000 acres cot yet appraised,
Msituated mostly in the northern part of the
Hstate. The constitution now devotee to
Hthe common school fund one-half the
Hproceeds of the sale of swamp lands of the
■state. The selections approved as swamp
Hor overflowed lands in the snrveys np to
HISBO amounted to 4,000,000 acres. In the
Huneurveyed area there shonld be, perhaps.
■2,1)00,000 acres. The state land oommis-
Hsioner com pntes the total of all state land
Hgrants at 3,400,000 aores, bat according to
Hthe claims of the grantees the amount is
■5,000,600. It is believed the state will
■eventually realize an amount equal to five
■dollars an acre for all the school lands vet
■unsold, which 7will swell the permanent
■school fund to over $16,000,000, and it is
■not unlikely that the swamp land reversion
■may raise that magnificent sum to $18,000,
--■OOO, or even $20,000,000.
I Of the 169,353.32 acres covered by the
■University and Agricultural college grants
Bthere have been sold 97,007.32 acres leaving
872,34(J acres yet to be disposed of. The?e
Bare largely agricultural lands and are val-
Bued at an avernge of $6 dollars per acre.
■The permanent University fnnd is there-
Bfore expected to tinally realize, from this
Bsource the sum of §1,059,200.66.
■ Tho Internal Improvement Lard Fund
Bwill probably reach fuliy $3,000,000 when
Bths remainder of the land belonging there
to is disposed of. There have been sold
157,095.78 acre? and 311,259.46 additional
acres have been appraised at $1,649,656.64,
leaving 3^,331.27 acres yet to be appraised.
The proposition submitted at the last
general election providing "for the appli
cation of the moneys of the Internal Im
provement Land Fund to the payment of
I the principal and interest of the Minne
sota State Railroad Adjustment Bonds,"
having been approved by the people, as
shown by the canvas of the votes recently
made, there is now provided a sinking
fund sufficient to redeem, when due. much
the larger portion of the indebtedness re
sulting from the adjustment of the "Min
nesota State Railroad Bond?," and the in
come therefrom, when the lands are all
sold, will also provide for the payment of
a corresponding proportion of interest ac
cruing upon such indebtedness.
Under the terms of the act approved
Nov. 4. 1881, "providing for the adjust
ment of certain alleged claims against the
state," there have been redeemed 2.232 of
the Minnesota state railrond bonds of the
denomination of $1,000 each, and other
claims adjusted to the amount as allowed
of $53,088.66. The adjustment of these
bonds and claims, according to the terms
of the act, has required the issue of $4,
253,000 of the 4^ per cent, bonds, and
there are claims to the amount of $4,250.84
lyet to be provided for by a further issue
to that amount.
I The original issue of Minnesota state
railroad bonds was $2,275,000. The state
acquired possession of $15,000 of these
bonds some years ago. Thefe have been
redeemed as above stated $2,232,000, which
leaves but $28,000 now outstanding.
The recognized indebtedness of the state
is now represented by the following obli
gations:
Loan of 1878 for building pur
poses, 7t? $25,000 00
Lean of 187 6 for seed grain distri
bution, 6s 61,000 00
Bailroad adjustment bonds, 4><fl.. 4,253,000 00
Bailroad adjustment, Claims 4,250 84
$1,343,250 84
The loan of 1873 is redeemable the
present .yea** and that of 1876 will be re
deemed with receipts from counties for
loans made in 1877 and 1878 for the pur
chase find distribution of seed grain.
The taxable property within the state
has iacwased from $258,055,543 in 1880, to
$811,200,841 in 1882.
Taxes for the past two years were levied
as follows:
1881. 1882.
'State tax $379,689 25 $841,686 94
•Seed grain taxes (in
dividual) 56,616 59 12,000 18
General school, ow>
mill 270,757 84 310,116 87
Special 5ch001......... 1,190,086 86 I^B ',361 . S
County revenue 875,640 82 1,009,465 48
County interest. 99,88146 H 0,741 88
Countvpoor 140,116 77 153,64107
County (special pu:
--po«?s 91,039 78 164,102 05
City taxss 807,393 76 1,135,261 27
Township taxes 297,018 78 303,785 06
Delinquent road 146,420 64 166,266 60
Interest on town
bonds 72,624 62 120,799 79
Speciul city'aid town 271,505 40 526,122 44
Total tases for all
purposes $4,698,771 57 $5,725,359 41
Average rate for
all purposes... 17 8-10-mills 18 4-10 mills
A change in the fiscal year is suggested by
the state auditor and other officers. A habit
that has grown up in some of our institu
tions of receiving and disbursing money in
December as of Noveoaber,leads to a delay
of their reports for two or three weeks,
which might be avoided. But I think it
desirable now that the legislature meeta
only biennially, that the fall reports of
the state institutions and office's should be
furnished in print for the deliberate con
sideration of the members elect, much
earlier than can possibly be under the ex
isting law. v^'iv
The dates for making official reports
•should be similarly advanced. The law
should be amended so that such reports a3
are required to be made and printed for
the use of the legislature, except tliiat of
the commissioner of statistics, need be
made only biennially and on the years
previous to regular sessions. I recom
mend also that the regular annual appro
priations be hereafter made for fiscal, in
stead of calender years, your own provis
ion in that regard to close with the fiscal
year ending in 188"..
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
The various charitable, reformatory am
penal institutions of the state present i
satisfactory record as regards their man
agement and the results accomplished. Ac
unmistakable evidence of the rapid in
crease of our population, is the fact tha
nearly ail these institutions have already
reached the limit of their capacity, and are
asking at your hands appropriations foi
additions and enlargement.
STATE PBISON. . fJJ:
The inspectors of the state prison sub
mit a voluminous report, which exhibit!
in much detail the affairs of this institu
tion. The management of the prison
is highly commended and th<
record of its inmates as to conduc
and condition is represented as verj
satisfactory. The total population at thu
time is 279, an increase of 25 during th(
past two years. The current expenses fo
1881 were $49,964.56 and for 1881
$54,972.65.
The earnings were $26,277.04 and $30,
952.78 for 1881 and 1882 respectively,mos
of which was credited to apply on purchas<
of machinery under the award of 1881
The warden estimates the expenses foi
1883 to be $60,000 and for 1884 $65,000
. and the earnings $33,000 and $35,000 fo
the same time.
There has been expended during th<
past year $36,912.55 in construction of ad
ditional wall, for which an appropriatior
of $40,000 was made in 1881, also liabili
ties incurred for paving streets within th«
enclosure, $3,700, painting roof, $560, am
premium for insurance $900, for whiel
I there was no appropriation, and which if
I presented in the form of a deficiency. The
I inspectors recommend a further appropriation
■ation of $25,000 to complete the wall, am
I $30,000 for the construction of 100 addi
I tional cells. There are but twenty vacan
I cells in the prison, most of which will soot
I be occupied. The additional cell room
I 'should be provided, and I therefore ap
I prove the recommendation of the inspect
I ors in this respect. The completion of the
I wall would add greatly to the security ol
I the prison, which as the population \ in
I creases, becomes more of a necessity. The
Ii expenditure might be made to cover a
I period of two or more years, and thereby
I relieve the treasury to that extent. A com
I; mittee of your body by personal examina
I tion can best decide as to the urgency of
I; this matter. .
I The prison enclosure will afford ample
I room for 500 or 600 cells, about double the
II present capacity. It will doubtless prove
I economy .. to the state to concentrate the
II population of this class in one institution,
II where the cost of management will but
I slightly increase with . its growth, «ntil its
■ full capacity is reached. > According to the
li inspector's estimate the prison can be
I made to meet all requirements for ten
I years to come, by increasing its cell ca-
I parity to the limit allowed by the enclos-
I ure, and / without any . increase of shop
I room or machinery the labor of the con-
I victs can be fully employed. Some of the
I gravest objections to the location of the
II prison are now overcome, though at large
I cost to the state. It would seem to be the
I part of wisdom now to make complete as
II possible the present institution,' when it is
I confidently believed it will be placed on a
I self-sustaining basis. ; *f;
. BKFOB3H ECHOOIi. , j
The report of the board of managers of
The report of the board of managers of
the Reform school shows a gratifying
record for the past two years. The com
mitments to this institution since its es
tablishment in 1868 have been 573; of this
number 225 have been in connection with
I it during the past two years, and 123; are
inmates at the present time. I ask your
careful consideration of the reasons urged
by ' the managers for a change in the j law
regulating commi: ments, • especially that
feature which provides. - for the mainte
nance by each county of the youth they
respectively send to the institution. The
reasons that may have existed in the early
history of the school for this discrimina
tion in the maintenance of its inmates,
have lost much of their force' by the gener
al development of all portions of the state.
Without repeating here the argument most
forcibly presented by the report for the
change referred to, I concur with the man
agers in their conclusions that the useful
ness and efficiency of the school would be
greatly augmented by placing it upon the
same footing in this respect as the other
state institutions." The engine house con
nected with the'manufactory of the school
with its contents and attachments, was de
stroyed by fire last July. . The property
has been restored in a much improved
form, at a cost of .$5,731.79. The expendi
tures, current fond, were for 1881 $30,
--101.64, and ' for 1882 $31,550.81. Appro
priations are asked as follows: ,
Current expenses, 1883 $85,000 00
Current expenses, 188-1.. 85,'n 0 00
Deficiency for 1882. caused principally .
by destruction of engine house, etc. 7.501 05
Repairs and improvements, 1883-4 .. 4,000 00
Insurance ....:............ 2,000 00
INSTITUTES FOB THE DEAF, DUMB AND THE
BUND, AND SCHOOL FOB IDIOTS AMD IMBE
CILES.
The directors of the Institute for the
Deaf, Dumb and the Blind, and the School
for Idiots and Imbeciles, report "that the
general schools under their care have,
daring the past two years, given exception
al satisfaction."
In May, 1881, there was organized a sep
arate department for the edncation of the
blind, which was placed in the charge of
Prof. J. J. Dow, as superintendent, who
has been oonnected with the institute as
teacher of the blind- since 1875. This
change in the system of its management
has proven advantageous to the institute
in many respects. The deaf and dumb de
partment continues in charge of Prof. J.
L. Noyes, who has established "an enduring
record of great efficiency in his work,
during the many years he has labored in
behalf of this institution.
The Imbecile school occupied their new
building last February, and has since pros
ecuted its proper work more successfully,!
under the superintendence of Dr. George
H. Knight. There is ample room in the
building occupied by the deaf aud dumb
for the requirements of this class for sev
eral years to come, but the schools for the
blind and imbecile are already overcrowd
ed. The directors ask an appropriation of
$60,000 to erect and furnish additional
space for these two departments. The
statement which appears in the report,that
there are now in the state eighty-four
blind persons under twenty-five years of
age who have never attended school, aud
fifty-nine applicants for admission to the
Imbecile school now waiting who cannot
be accommodated, is, of itself, an argu
ment in favor of increasing the capacity
of these schools, that does not need to be
enlarged upon. I therefore recommend a
sufficient appropriation for the purpose
stated.
There are now 125 puDils in the deaf
■ and dumb department; thirty-four in the
Wind and forty-one in the imbecile. There
are 233 uneducated deaf mutes in the
state who have not yet received the advan
tages offered by this school.
The disbursements of the board for cur
rent expenses were §44,278.98 in 1881 and
$*9,807.23 in 1882. Appropriations are
asked of $50,000 for 1883 and $60,000 for
1884 for the same account.
The directors conclude their report with
the significant statement that, "Adhering
to what we regard as the strictest economy
compatible with success, we follow the un
broken tradition of the past and report an
unexpended balance in the treasury."
HOSPITAL FOB THE INSANE.
That portion of the First Hospital for
the Insane at St. Peter, destroyed by fire
in 1880, has been restored, and is now in
use. The east wing of the Second Hos
pital at Rochester, the construction of
which was provided for in 1881, will be
ready for occupancy in part by February 1
prox_, and wholly completed early the
present year. The capacity of the perma
nent buildings at St. Peter is sufficient for
the proper care of 550 patients, and those
at Rochester for 350, a total of 900. There
are now connected with the two hospitals
872 patients—636 at St. Peter, and 236 at
Rochester—a large number attached to the
former institution still occupying the tem
porary buildings that have been in use for
several years.
The problem of providing for the future
wants of this class of unfortunates, is one
that will engage your serious attention.
and any possible solution of it must involve
expenditures to a large amount. For
many years past there has been an annual
average increase of about seventy in the
insane population of the state. The in
crease in the future, the same conditions
prevailing, must be somewhat larger.
Provision already made is barely sufficient
for another year, hence it is imperative
that measures should be inaugurated at
this session of the legislature, to add to the
capacity of the state to care for these
people.
With a view of determining the practi
cability of relieving the hospitals of the
care of any inmates of whose insanity
there was reason to doubt, or incurablea
who might be cared for elsewhere,
I requested the commissioners appointed
under tte law for the inspection of hos
pitals, to visit them last August for a
thorough examination in this respect.
Their report was adverse to any discharges
being made. Subsequently I held a con
ference with the trustees and superintend
ents of the hospitals and the members of
the commission, at which the subject of
the care of these people and their future
requirements was thoroughly discussed.
As a result of this conference and of other
investigation personally made, I am im
proved with the belief that the provision I
the state must make for some years to I
come can be most economically effected I
by the construction of another wing to the I
hospital at Rochester corresponding to the fl
one now approaching completion, and the I
erection of additional wards to either hos-1
pital. from time to time as more room I
is demanded. These wards can be added fl
at leRK than one-third the cost per capita, I
according to capacity, than the present I
elaborate structures hare involved; and the I
maintenance of the additional patients I
thus provided for will call for a much less I
proportional expenditure than would be I
required in another hospital established in I
a new location. I
The trustees in their report give expres- I
leion to this judgment by the recommenda- I
tion of the addition to the hospital at St. I
Peter, of a ward to accommodate fifty pa- I
tiente, for which they ask aa appropria- I
tion of $25,000 to be expended the present I
year, and also the erection of another wing I
to the institution at Rochester, estimated I
to cost with furniture, $83,000, to be com- I
menced in 1884. These estimates of the II
trustees, as also those for the purchase of I
additional land at each hospital for the [I
purpose of providing employment for the I
patients. I recommend to your favorable II
consideration. H
The officers of the two hospitals submit II
full information relative to their manage- I
ment during the biennial period just I
closed, from which it appears that cure I
and efficiency still characterize the conduct I
of the affairs of theae institutions. H
The trustees report expenditures for the I
past two years as follows: fl
lnt Hospital. 2d Hospital fl
B-oiMingaiidfßniishing.£l33,723.lß 8128,982.28 I
Current expenses, 1831.. 103,438.24 35.834.2tf I
Current expenses, 188<!. 113,100.77 46,3G.'i.61 fl
The estimated current expenses for the next I
two rears are:
Ist Hospital. 2d Hospital. I
1883 $181,625.00 $62,400.00 I
1834 141,875.00 72,800.00 fl
Further appropriations are asked: fl
Ist Hospital. 2d Hospital. I
For additional heating H
and repairs $18,000 00 I
For detached ward... 25,000 00 fl
For purchase of land,
outhoosee, water
supply 8,400 00 $10,000 00 fl
For lighting and re-
pairs 21,000 00 I
For new wing with
furniture 83.000 00 I
The average weekly coat of maintenance I
per capita was $3.76 and $3.82 for 1881 I
and 1882 respectively at St. Peter, and I
$4 and $4.13 at Rochester. ■
The cash value of farm products are I
given at $27,984.56 at St. Peter and $9,- I
712.50 at Rochester for the two years. H
In August last I designated a number of I
citizens of the state distinguished for their I
acquaintance with, and interest heretofore I
manifested in the subject of public chari- I
ties and reforms, to represent the state at I
the ''National Conference of Charities and I
Corrections." held in Madison, Wisconsin. I
They discharged the trust with which they I
were delegated with great credit to them- fl
selves and the state. I invite your atten- fl
tion to their report which will be submit- fl
ted to you. H
Amorig those best informed in regard to fl
the charitable and correctional institutions fl
of the several states, the opinion apparent- fl
Hly prevails that there £%bttld be in every
state a board of state oMrlties, by which
general information and . thorough inspec
tion can be had of all charitable and cor
rectional work. These boards have been
established in nine states, the most noted
for their excellent charitable and penal in
stitutions, and others are now considering
I the question- of adopting this system.
These boards, acquainting themselves with
the institutions of their several state?, and
their necessities, become the medium at
I communicating to the legislature whatever
H relates to their management and their pos-
I sible improvement. The local boards of
H trustees of the various institutions are not
superseded; with them rest the same re
sponsibilities and duties as before, out la
Hthe discharge thereof they are aided Ly
I s-ch advisory supervision. The system in.
I various states differs in some particular.,
being advisory in some and administrative
Bin others. -The weight of opinion now in
clines to favor making these hoards, .advi
sory rather than executive, and thai, their
purpose should be to keep the public and
the legislature fully advised of the condi-
I tion and needs of the institutions subject
H to their supervision.
| These boards are found to bo most most
H effective when they serve without compen-
H sation, their expenses simply being met by
I the state. Such a board, if selected with
I proper care, being wholly non-political
■ and composed of men of acknowledged
■ ability and information, who would ren
■ der this service from their interest in pub
■ lie reformatory and penal institutions
■ would, from study of the charitable sys
■ terns and institutions elsewhere, soon be- -
I come an authority as to what is best and
■ most necessary for their own state. They
■ would inform themselves aa to the condi-
I tion and management. of county alms.
I houses, jails, reformatories, etc., and be-
I come not only fit to inspect, criticise and
■ supervise the management of such institu
■ tions, but competent to advise as to what
H may be necessary in securing their effi
■ ciency.
H, EDUCATION.
Hi The continued development of the edu-
H cational interests of the stale hp.s been
II commensurate with its growth in other re
HI spects. The report of the superintendent
I of public instruction is replete with valua-
H ble suggestions looking to the perfection
I of our system of education which is al-
I ready the pride of every citizen. Though
I the superintendent's criticism of some
I features of the management of our com-
H mon schools under existing laws and
I practices, woald indicate there is yet room
H ior improvement in directions suggested,
I yet the facts established by the statistical
I exhibits and other information furnished by
H his report, are an assurance that oar system
I is gradually but surely attaining that de
■ gree of perfection which was the hope of
I its founders, and which will prove the
I crowning glory of the commonwealth.
H There has been an increase in the enroll-
I ment in our public schools during the past
■ two years of 22,638, the total being 196,238-
I in 1882 at against 173,600 in 1880. "There
I have been erected 567 school buildings at
I a cost of $759,022. The total number of
I school houses now in use is given at 4,260,
■ valued at $3,947,857. There has been se- -
■ cured $3,766,665.79 and expended 3,844-
H 866.49 on account of our public schools
I during the past two years. The magnifi-
I cent permanent school fund of the state.
■ which it is estimated will amount to $18,.
■ 000,000 when the lands are all sold, will
■ constitute an endowment that will place
I our system of popular education upon a
I most enduring basis. The various recom-
I mendations of the superintendent will com -
mand your attention and need not be re
capitulated here. I especially concur,
however, in the recommendation that the
position of county superintendent be made
no longer a political office.
The three Normal schools are now dem
onstrating their value and efficiency as an
adjunct of our educational system. The
state is realizing upon its investment in
these institutions in a manner that prom-
ises ample returns for all their cost and
care. The influence of the well-trained
teachers supplied by these schools is ap
parent in the improved methods of instruc
tion in our common schools and in the
more elevated standard of the profession
that has prevailed the past few years.
The enrollment of these schools has been
as follows: .
Winona:../..;.... l&l. 1882.
Winona 455. 439
llankato 237 335
ISt. Cloud 257 254
T0ta1.. ... 939 1028
The current expense account show dis
bursements to have been;
1331. 1882.
At Winona 815,878 91 $17,007 98
At Mankato 14,9J4 20 14,0.51 47
At St. Cloud 15,071 14,442 38
Total 345,350 6J $46,08183-
The report of the normal board account*
for $6,950 expended for permanent im
provements the past year and recommends
alterations and enlargements of the build
ings at Mankato and St. Cloud, the neces
sity for which is represented to be most
urgent.
The schools have graduated 129 teachers
the past two years and 879 since their es
tablisment. ,
Under the act for the encouragement of
higher education, aid has bsen extended
the last year to thirty-eight schools through
out the state. The commission constitut
ing the "High School Board," have sought,
by much effort to encourage and enlarge
the work designed for these schools to ac
complish, and they feel much gratification
at the result already attained. It id ex
pected that these school? in time will con
tribute liberally from the students they
may gradaate, to swell the classes of the
university.
The report of the board, of regents will
acquaint you with the affairs of the univer
sity. The regents express satisfaction
with the work the university is doing
and the progress it has made during the
past two years in establishing .tself upon
a basis of recognized rank and usefulness.
Additions have been made to the campus
of the university, and the grounds greatly
improved by the enlarged limits to which
they have thus been extended. Plans have
been adopted for the erection of the new
buildings long in contemplation and for
I which appropriations were made in 1881.
It is the design of the board that the build
ings for the gymnasium, museum, library,,
observatory and department of engineer
ing shall be pushed to completion as rap
idly as practicable.
Under the authority of the act of 1881.
th» v regents have made an advantageous,
arrangement, by which the experimental
farm purchased some years ago is being:
disposed of and the proceeds invested in
another farm in a much more desirable lo
cation | for the purpose. The operation,
will show a handsome balance after the
new farm is fully paid . for and equipped.
PUBLIC IXUIISEB.
The report of the public examiner con*
tains many suggestions and recommenda
tions which should receive your considera
tion. __' - ■-'••'.'"'.'r\vvo.i:
■ From his examination of the state insti
tution it has been made to upbear thai
much carelessness and neglect has pre
vailed in the past, relative to the offioinl
bonds of the treasurers or disbursing offi
cers of some of the institutions and their
boards of ■ contra]. This state of things,
induced somewhat by defects ia the law.
might have resulted in much public loss
but for our good fortune in having these
positions filled by men of integrity and re- t
sponsibility. The defects referred to
should be remedied without delay, and the
provisions of the statuto upon the snbject. i