Governor's Message

The message which Governor Rich sent to the legislature last week is a straightforwarrf, business like document, and contains a complete resume of state affairs. He starts ofí with a gentle hit at the preceding administration for not raising sufficient funds to meet the needs of the state, and tells with refreshing frankness the violation of the constitution by his own administration in order to make good the deficit. Possibly had the present administration conducted state affairs on the economical basis of its predecessor, it would not have been necessary to borrow, but this thought seems not to have received any consideration. He advises the placing of all railroads of the state upon the same basis as to legislation, taxation and supervisión, giving as a reason for the abrogation of the special charters under which certain roads are operated, that they have become prosperous and do not need state aid. He defends the contract labor system as found in our prisons and reformatories, and says that it is the only practical way of operating them. He insists that contract labor cuts but a small figure in competition with free labor, and that if prisons are not made self-supporting in this manner, outside free labor must be taxed'to clothe, house and feed the convicts. Besides it is not practicable to keep prisoners without labor. He argües ia favor of constitutional amendments whereby reasonable salaries may be paid to responsible state officers. He thinks the interests of the state would be better subserved at a much less cost than by the present system of employing extra help. He speaks in high terms of the educational institutions of the state, refers to the one-sixth of a mili tax by which the University is removed from the need of special legislative appropriations, urges liberal support for the Normal school, and thinks that the students who attend the Mining school should be called upon to pay a part of the expense of its maintenance. He discusses the labor question at some length, and concludes that labor organizations should be incorporated and subjected to the same immunities and penalties as corporate capital. There are many other suggestions and recommendations of lesser importance. He closes with the suggestion that the same carefulness ' should guide the legislature in the matter of expenditures as governs in private expenditures, and that its '] work should be promptly and ; fully done. . A bilí has been introduced into the house of representatives providing for a national board of arbitration to settle strikes on interstate railways. Jt is drawn upon the lines laid down in the recent report of the commission on the Chicago strike. ín fact the bill was drawn by Labor Commissioner Wright and Mr. Kernan of that commission. It makes it a misdemeanor for employés to strike or for a company to discharge an employé without giving thirty days' warning during the pendency of any arbitration. The board is to be composed of five persons, only three of whom can belong to one political party. No doubt the sentiment and needs of the times demand some legislation on the subject, but whatever is accomplished will need to be along the lines of conciliation rather than compulsory arbitration. It is quite impossible to compel a man to work when it is not to his interest to do so, oran employer to keep an employé when the I employer's interests are not being advantaged thereby, unless there be a contract specifying time of employment. ín other words, employers cannot be 'orced to pay higher wages than they think they can afford, or employés to accept lower wages than they think they ought to receive. A law compelling organized labor on the one hand to submit to arbitration would in all probability lead to its disbanding in order to avoid the necessity, and on the other hand employers would refuse to employ laborers who can impose oppressive conditions. Compulsory arbitration simply means a suit at law, and there are provisions of law for the settlement of such issues now. A law, however, that will aid in the peaceful solution of labor disputes or strikes is worthy the support of all good citizens. The work of the senatorial caucus in naming Mr. Burrows for senator for the short term must have been a keen disappointment to Governor Rich. He naturally desired popular indorsement of his judgment in appointing Senator Patton, but all the influence of his high office thrown actively into the scale in favor of his appointee could not secure from the people's representatives the coveted approval. Nor is there any question but that the members of the legislature in not voting for Patton reflected the sentiment of their constituents generally. The fact is, the governor made a mistake in appointing Patton, not that the senator is personally objectionable, but because there are many other men in the party of equally high character and abilities who by long experience in public affairs are better equipped for .the responsible position, and who by reason of this service may be said to have more claims upon the place than he. These things always do have, and should have, weight with the people. Senator Patton has much of life still before him and he may yet achieve through merit the prize which he and his patrón hoped to win through personal favor and patronage. There is no more disgracef ui chapter in the hiatory of partisan journalism than that which records the treatment that Secretary Gresham has received from the republican press since he left the republican party. No lie has been too petty or too big, no misrepresentation has been too contemptible, no malice has been too malignant, for employment against the man who had the independence of thought and the courage of actioD to leave the republican party when it no longer represented his views. No republican scoundrel who used his office to rob the government was ever denounced by the republican organs with one tithe of the bitterness with which they have incessantly assailed a man who was too honest to remain in the republicau party after its principies had ceased to be his principies. - Courier-Journal. The renomination of Senator McMillan by the unaniraous vote of his party associates in thelegislature, and the like support of the democratie contingent, was a high tribute to his character and worth. Mr. McMillan has malee a good record in the senate and has filled creditably every committee position to which he has been assigned. He is studious and industrious and his wide experience in affairs enables him to readily master any duty committed to his care. He is worthy the honor shown him by his party. The Patton and Olds contingent who went to Lansing to "bury Caesar," not to "raise" him, now that their incantations resulted so differently from their hopes, are sliding back to things terrestrial along an incline oiled with predictions of the future. This serves well to break the dull and sickening thud of their fall. They announce Patton for governor and Olds for congress two years henee.