Cassville Republican from Cassville, Missouri • 3

SIGNS OF THE PLANETS ury. As to the first and second oi tnese i shall not in this communication attempt Increased Nb rubor of Inmates. The strain on the treasury has been made all the more sever hv rp.unn nf the GOY. STONE'S MESSAGE CONDITION OF THE STATE REVIEWED. gate.

However, the question Is one that can be made practicable by enlarging the revenues, and I earnestly Invoke your attention to it with the hope that it' may regarded with favor. In my last annual message I suggested the scheme of setting aside a certain sum each year out of the general revenue for a university endowment fund until the endowment should reach $3,000,000. That policy could not then be entered upon for the: lack THE SIX DAY WALK. Tho Colored Pedestrian YVlcs ti Uat Race. Frank Hart won the St.

Louis 8-day race at the Natatorium which came to a welcome and not inglorious finish Sunday night. Hart finished with 303 miles and 7 lap? to his crediL Wm. Hoagland, of Auburn, N. was second with 303 miles even and W. J.

Stephens was third with 292 miles. John Oddy, the little old Englishman, was fourth. Oddy raada 27S miles and "Cowboy' Smith was fifth with 210 miles and one Tan tacked to him. That completes the list of men who finished. Of the original 12 s'arters Jones, Cahill, Keonatiy, Guerrero, Schmehl, Earl and Ilowley quit at various stages of the contest.

Although Kennedy stayed in at intervals and kind of finished with 121 miles and one lap to his credit. The walkers finished their weary before a crowd larger than tho combined attendance of the previous days and a warm send-off was tendered them for the effort of the 73 hours. Tha whole affair terminated in a 11 as, of glory. any recommendations. With regard to the third proposition I desire to make one or two suggestions.

First, I believe the whole tax paid by foreign insurance companies should be retained by the State. Under the present law the whole tax is paid into the State treasury, but one-half of it is afterwards distributed to the counties- If this suggestion should be concurred in by the Legislature, and the law amended accordingly, it would result In strengthening the treasury by at least $210,900 during the ensuing biennial term. In the second place, the proportion of the revenues appropriated two years ago for the support of the pubiic schools might be slightly reduced so as to relieve the treasury without detriment to the schools. If these two recommendations should be adopted, the sum available to meet current appropriations for general purposes would be increased by about $270,000. Criminal Costs.

"Criminal costs constitute the most onerous of all the burdens the treasury must bear. They have growe until they have become almost intolerable. If the rate at which they have increased in recent years maintained it will not be long until they swamp the treasury until Some provision is made for a large addition to the receipts. How to remedy this evil is a question The larger proportion of the costs accrue from prolonged detentions in county Jails and from unnecessary continuances and changes of venue. How can these evils be prevented or modified? In the first place, I believe that the constitution should be amended so as to authorize the prosecution of all crimes by indictment or information, with the exception possibly, that indictments might be required in capital cases.

I think an amendment to that effect should be submitted. If it should be agreed to it would save the necessity in hundreds of cases of bringing witnesses before the grand jury, and thereby escape incurring a vast amount of costs on that account With such an amendment to the constitution, I believe it would be an improvement to abolish our present judicial circuits and to establish in their stead a circuit court with a separate judge in each county. Seed of Institution. I cannot now enter into a specific statement in detail of all the various needs of the various institutions. As I have stated heretofore there is scarely one of them that does not stand in actual need of improvements not included in the estimates we have made.

But I shall be compelled to refer the General Assembly to reports of the officers In charge of these institutions for a more comprehensive account of their condition and wants. I wish, however, to emphasize the necessity of providing additional accommodations for the indigent insane and for the girls sent to the Industrial Home. A hospital should also be provided for the School for the Deaf and Dumb. With nearly 350 children at this school it should require no argument to prove that a hospital is in-dlspensible. Better hospital facilities are also imperatively demanded at the penitentiary.

This is clearly demonstrated in the reports of the warden and prison physician, a careful examination of which I take leave to beg the proper committees of the two houses to make. Two years ago I deemed it my duty to recommend an increase in the salary of the physician in charge of the prison hospitals. I again recommend that it be substantially increased. The Executive Mansion should be repainted both inside and out at an early day, and it stands in absolute need of other extensive repairs. It should also be refurnished.

It was newly furnished about eight years ago, but since then practically nothing in the way of furnishing has been added. The University. We now have laid the foundation of a great university but we have little more than that. If the institution is liberally supported by the people and wisely managed by those in charge of it, we can soon build up here in our imperial state the greatest university in the southwestern section of the Union. I would regard that consummation as one of the proudest achievements within our reach one that would reflect the highest honor and redound in the greatest benefits to the people.

It will not do to say that the University is not the school of the poor boy, or that it is not now what it ought to be. As a matter of facta majority of the University students are the sons and daughters of those denominated as the common people. The university cannot be properly, even decently, supported out of the present revenues and in accordance with the present methods of making appropriations without detriment to other important interests. The truth is this institution ought to be taken out of the general squabble for appropriations which occurs at every regular of the general assembly and be provided with a permanent and sufficient income of its own. The sum which can now be set apart out of the general revenue for the university is grossly and shamefully inadequate to answer its just demands.

It ought to be sustained from a permanent fund. It should not only be spared the humiliation of becoming a biennial mendicant, but it should be placed in a position ot absolute Independence. Many of the states now levy a special tax. or set aptrt by law a certain per cent of their aggregate revenues, for their universities, varying in amount from one-fifth to one-twelfth of one mill per annum on every dollar of assessments or collections. This is done in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Nebraska, California and perhaps other states.

In Missouri the university gets what it can out of what some have not inaptly designated as "the general scramble." Why should not our university be treated with as much consideration as are those of other states? Not long since the Hon. John R. Kirk, superintendent of public instruction, recommended that the General Assembly should set apart for the benefit of the university an equivalent of one-sixth of a mill per annum upon every dollar of the assessed value of the taxable property of the state; and in support of his recommendation he expressed the hope that if that policy should be adopted it would "remove the question of properly supporting the university from the area of public and local politics, and place it securely on the platform of those high interests whose support is secured through the action of a just and unfailing rule-" If that recommendation should be agreed to it would result in creating an annual revenue of about $105,000 based on present valuations. The sum realized from such a tax would, of course, increase from year to year with the increase of valuations; but that would be as it should, for the necessities of the institution would increase with the growth of the State. In tte general spirit and object of this recommendation, and in its wisdom as a policy, I most heartily concur; but whether it.

could be entered upon at this time, without making provision for additional sources of revenue, is questionable, because of the amount it would absorb out of the aggre Emotion. She The young lady next door has eloped with her music teacher." He It isn't possible! She Why isn't it possible? Do you know the parties? He No; I meant merely that it's too gook to be true. Puck. Cnt Oft. "I hear they've laid off a number of hands down at the saw "Yes; so the surgeon was telling me Detroit News.

increase in the number of inmates admitted to the penal and eleemoyaary Institutions. The full force of this statement will appear lu cne toiiowlng table; a M1 Institution. Penitentiary. Industrial Ilome for Girls Reform School tor Hovs 1.6S9j2,170jAbout33 perct. 38 144 83 Over 150 320iOver 122 KLEEMOSYNAUV.

I-'u 1 ton asy In in St. Josepn asyl'm Nevada School lor the Blind School for Deaf and Dumb Total in all 629 61Jil 047 Over 22 per ct. 810'Over 33 53 i llljOver 13 347 About 53 379 03 284 3.769:5.07C'Over 34 per ct. I'ublic Order. Under the head of public order the governor reiterates his well known views on federal military interference in state affairs, and continues: "No man more than I appreciate the importance, or more earnestly advocates the maintenance of a thoroughly disciplined and well-equipped military organization; it is a great conservative force, and is necessary in all large communities to meet extraordinary emergencies: but I am utterly opposed to an indiscriminate or hasty use of the military power in civil affairs, 'i believe it will rarely happen in this country that the civil officers and the posse comita-tus will not be able to preserve order and protect the rights of all.

Our people should not be accustomed to the habit of using or relying upon the military. Such a habit tends to destroy the self-reliance and independence of the citizen, to unduly exalt the military and to diminish the dignity of the civil authority. The frequent use of military force accustoms the people to its presence and begets a growing disposition to rely upon It Whenever the disposition to depend upon the bayonets of the army for protection becomes axed in the minds of the people, we will have reached a point full of danger to our institutions and to liberty itself. I infinitely prefer a policy which will preserve that rugged manhood and sense of self-reliance which teaches the people that they are abundantly able to take care of themselves. I believe, generally speaking, that the people of Missouri are inspired by that spirit of patriotic independence to which I refer; and to its presence here, In a form so pronounced, I chiefly attribute our comparative escape from those lawless outbreaks that have so afflicted other communities." During the biennial period, 1895-6, now lust closed, nothing of unusual Import has occurred.

The population of the state has been greatly augmented by immigration. It is impossible to state the number of persons who have moved Into the state during the last two years or the last four years. Based on the presidential vote of 1892, reckoning five inhabitants to one voter, the population was then estimated at 2,702,915. The presidential vote of 1890 exceeded that of 1892 by and calculating from the same basis, of live to one, this vote will show au increase in population since 1S92 of 069,250. The population of the state is now estimated at 3.H9U.165.

1 The wealth of the state has also been largely increased by importation, investment and improvement of property. During the whole period under consideration 312 miles of railroad have been built, In the last two years production in all the principal industries has been abundant, and the business affairs of the people have gone steadily along without interruption from anv cause. There have been no upheavals. no turbulent commotions, no excessive or unusual violations of law to mar the public peace. Train Bobberies.

I desire to call special attention to the enme of train robbery. During the last three years several of these crimes have been committed. Trains have been stopped and express cars "rifled, and on one occasion a conductor was shot and seriously wounded. I care neither more nor less for railroads and express companies than for other corporations or citizens, but the crime is one which calls for more than ordinary atten tion, and the necessity for its suppression is so great that it should be visited by the most extreme punishment. When such crimes occur with frequency an impression becomes widely current that life and property are unsafe within the jurisdiction where they prevail.

It is a crime which should be absolutely extirpated. That cannot be accomplished by penitentiary sentences. The Thirty-eighth General Assembly, alive to the importance of the subject, made the crime a capital offense. The infliction of capital punishment, however, was left to the discretion of the jury. Several convictions have been had since the enactment of the law referred to, but only penitentiary sentences were pronounced.

In my opinion the men who xerpetrate this crime should be hung, and I believe the law should be so amended as to provide that every person convicted of it should suiter death. The governor should also be authorized to offer a reward of at least $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of any person guilty ot the offense. The measure I propose is severe, but this crime should not be permitted in the state, and milder remedies will not be sufficient to prevent it. future Kstliuates. With the governor-elect and Auditor Albert I have made careful estimates of the treasury resources and liabilities for the ensuing two years.

We have estimated the total revenues for the next two years at $4,300,000. This covers all sources now provided by law from which revenue can be derived. It does not, of course, include the special tax levied to meet the public debt, but does embrace all sources of income available for general purposes. The expenditures we have estimated at $4,500,000. This estimate places the expenditures at some $200,000 above the probable receipts.

I do not believe that the public service can be maintained with even tolerable efficiency on appropriations falling below the estimates we have made. So far our revenue has been equal to our appropriations, and almost, if not quite, equal to our expenditures. But the fast accumulating needs of the state have now brought us to a point where it is evident that some plan must be devised for relieving the strain on the treasury. How can this best be done? The rate of general taxation cannot be raised it being already at the highest point permitted by ne constitution. Therefore.if relief is sought it must be (1) by raising the valuations of property; (2), by providing some entirely new source or sources of revenne in the form of special or license taxes: (3), by providing a different plan from that heretofore followed of distributing the existing revenue; or, (4), b3-cuttingof or reducing some of the ordinary demands against the treas The Reason of It.

"How did you happen to call this place Auberndale, Colonel?" "Fellow that founded it was named Dale." "But I don't quite understand." "Simple enough. Dale was redheaded." Detroit Free Press. Sonic Gorgeous Colors. Bulgarian colorings are as popular in embroidery as in zephyr work, and as they reproduce the stained glass shades are especially suitable for portieres or screens for library and din-in? room. INDICATIONS THAT AFFECT EVERY HUMAN LIFE.

rrof. Cunningham's Free Headings fop Oar Readers Have Become Very Popular Some Instructions for the Guidance of Applicants for Iloroscope. HE astrologer Is receiving many ic-quests for free readings through these columns. Each request is numbered when re ceived and every one will be answered in its turn. The astrologer again calls atten tion to the fact that each request must state the date, place and hour of birth, also sex and color, with full name and address of sender.

The Initials only and place of residence will be used in the reading. Be exact about the hour of birth. If applicants do not know the date or hour they should send two two-cent stamps for special instructions. Persons wishing their horoscopes made immediately and forwarded by mail must send twelve two-cent stamp to cover expenses. Name and address must be Dlalnlv written.

Ad dress all communications to Prof. G. W. Cunningham, Dept. 4, 194, So.

Clinton street, Chicago. This week3 readings are as follows: Betsey: Monroe, Mich. According to data, you are a mixture of the signs of Taurus and Gemini, and therefore Venus and Mercury are your ruling planets or significators. You are medium height or above, and medium to dark hair, complexion and eyes; the eyes have a peculiar sparkle and sharp light; you are energetic and am bitious and will make a great effort to rise in the world, yet you will find many obstacles to overcome and will not be appreciated or paid in accordance with what your ability should command, yet you will succeed far better than the average of people. You are a natural born orator and if you take ordinary care of the money you get into your possession you will become wealthy.

C. A. Webster City, Iova According to data, the sign Leo, which the Sun rules, was rising at your birth, with Mercury and Venus on th ascendant, and therefore the Sun, Venus and Mercury are your ruling planets or significators. You are medium height or above; medium to light complexion, hair and eyes; you will be disposed to baldness early in life; you will be active, ambitious, energetic, and will hold a good position in any locality; you willalways be regarded as a leading man not so much from your wealth a3 from your ability. You will also be noted as having a great gift of language and as an oratQr you would make a great success.

You are very popular with the ladies. VT. A. Dubuque, Iowa. You have the zodiacal sign Virgo rising and therefore Mercury is your ruling planet.

You are medium height ot slightly above with a well proportioned figure; the complexion, hair and eyes from medium to dark; you are rather reserved in your manner until you get well acquainted. When young you were quite bashful, modest and avoided strangers. You are active, energetic, ambitious and industrious; you are very humane in your nature, kind to all, make many friends, and will be very popular with the ladles; you are gifted In one of the fine arts and very fond of any kind of art work; you have good command of language. You will rise to a high position in life, and if you avoid hazardous speculation and take good care of the money that cornea into your possession you will become quite wealthy. It will be hard for you to keep money after you make It.

Gertrnde, St. Joseph, Mo. You have the zodiacal sign Cancer rising, therefore the moon is your ruling planet; you are medium height or above, with rather well proportioned figure; the shoulders good width, the complexion fair; eyes light; hair medium; you are fond of making changes in certain ways, and will be rather of an emotional nature, and will sometimes change your mind very quickly and apparently without any good reasons for it. Your constitution is not of a robust kind, and you are subject to feverish ailments and especially severe headaches when these attacks come on. You are fond of having your own way and are liable to rebel If opposed strongly.

You are endowed by nature with strong intuitions, and might easily develop some medlumistic powers if you would make some effort In that direction. Remarkable Confidence, She: "It is remarkable what confl-dence that Mrs. Storms has In her husband! Believes everything he says." He: "Well, why shouldn't she?" "Why, man! he's a clerk In the weather bureau." Yonkers Statesman. JOSH BILLINGS' PHILOSOPHY. The man whom praze allwuss makes humble, iz an ironclad.

In youth our pashuns keep us bizzy; In middle life our ambishuns; in old age, the rumatism. The more Intelligent a man bekums, the less he thinks of himself, and the more he thinks of others. Adversity is tru and honest; It Iz the test that never deceives us. Prosperity Iz allwuss treacherous. I'ablie Debt Reduced 1,8 30, 0 DO la the Last Four Years Criminal Costa In ereasiug Strong Plea for Liberal Appropriation for the University.

Jeffeksov dry, Jan. 8. Following is Governor Stone's message to the legislature, in part: gentlemen of the Thirty-ninth General Assembly: A the administration of which I have been a part is now near to its close It is due that I should render at least a ljrief account jf what has been accomplished. The constitution provides that whenever lue taxable valuations of the State shall amount to the rate of taxation levied for State revenue purposes shall not exceed 15 cents on the one hundred dollars. Just preceding- the beginning of this administration in the total valuations of the State were raised from a few millions below the 8300,000,000 mark to a few millions above it Prior to that the State revenue tax amounted to 20 cents on the one hundred dollars.

The effect of raising the valuations above i9u0, 000,000 was to reduce the revenue tax from SO to 15 cents on the one Hundred dollars. This resulted in a loss of ne-fourth of the State revenue. The increase which in the first instance carried the aggregate valuations above $900,000,000 was so insignificant as compared to the valuations of the previous year that it amounted to practically nothing in the way of compensating for the loss sustained by the reduction in the tax rate. The effect of thi3 can be better understood, when it is known that this reduction decreased the annual revenue about SoOO.OOO. The valuations have increased somewhat by natural accretion and development during; the last four years, about of values having been added since 1893.

This increase would no doubt have been much larger except for the protracted and universal business depression under which the country has suffered a depression which has operated to greatly reduce the market prices of almost every class of property. The tax gathered from the increxsed valuation since has not been suflicient to replace more than a small proportion of the immense loss of revenue sustained by the reduction in the tax rate to which I have alluded. Ordinarily one would suppose that as the population and public necessities of a state increased, its revenues should increase in a corresponding ratio; but, anomalous as it may seem, thin administration at the very beginning of its career was confronted by the necessity of administering the affairs of a state, constantly and rapidly growing in population and the requirements of the public service, with a largely diminished treasury. During this period we have often been hard pressed to meet the demands authorized by legislative appropriations, but I am happy to say that with very few exceptions we save been able promptly to discharge every legitimate obligation, and wherever Ue-ticlencles of any consequence have occurred they have grown ont of appropriations over which the state officials have had no direct control. The total deficiencies for the cur rent biennial period will amount to $305,467.

Of this sum are covered by a deficiency in the appropriation made to pan tile criminal costs of the State, and 41.344 In the appropriation made for the assessing and collecting of the revenue leaving but 1,023 of deficiencies arising from all other sources. The treasury is now prepared to meet anv lawful demands that may be made against it, and at the end of the current revenue year it will have a substantial bal ance to its credit. None of the deficiencies can be paid out of this balance, however, as co money can be withdrawn except in pur suance of an appropriation; and deficiencies result, as 3'ou know, only when appropriations have been exhausted. Although we have encountered many difficulties and have been compelled to resort to every legitimate expedient to escape embarrassment, I am pleased to report that we have succeeded in meeting the appropriations, and the treasury will be delivered to the incoming administration in a solvent condition, with the credit of the State unimpaired. lebt Redaction.

On June 1. 1893. the bonded debt of the State amounted to $0,680,000. It consisted of $1,380,000 of 6 per cent bonds and of per cent option bonds. During this administration, besides promptly paying the interest as it matured, the whole of the 6 per cent bonds nave been paid, and 1300,000 of the 3VS per cents have been called and retiredmaking a total reduction in the principal of the debt of $1,080,000.

The bonded debt now consists of even $0,000,000 of per cents option bonds. The annual interest on the bonded debt as it stood in January, 1893, was while the annual interest charge on the debt as it stands to-day is only $175,000 being a total saving on this account of 98,300 per annum. As the principal of the debt is reduced from year to year, it will require less and less of Uie tax specially levied to meet the debt to tay interest, and more and more of that fund will be available for the retirement of the principal. If the property valuations of the state remain substantially as they now are and the present rate of taxation is continued, the incoming administration, according to my calculation, will be able to yay nearly $4,000,000 of the principal debt in the next four years, leaving the total itonded debt at that'time at about $1,000,000. That can easily be retired during the first rear of the succeeding administration.

So It can be confidently asserted that, even though there shall be no material change for the better in business and financial conditions, the state will be free from a bonded debt within five years from this date. Public Institutions. Notwithstanding the severe stringency of the times the public institutions of the State have not only been kept up to the high point of efficiency they had previously attained, but they have made substantial progress in many important particulars. During the last four years the main building of the University, known as Academic Hail a superb structure has been erected at a cost of $250,000. At the School of Mines a new edifice, known as the Metallurgical Laboratory, has been constructed and well equipped at a cost of $25,000, and valuable additions have been made to the college grounds, and to the different educational, penal and eleemosynary institutions.

During these four years nearly $800,000 have been expended in additions and repairs to the penal, eleemosynary and educational establishments of the State. This s-jm, however, does not by any means represent the full value of the improvements, as the buildings erected at the penitentiary and the reform school were largely constructed out of materials furnished by those Institutions and almost wholly by prison labor. Not Quite the Same "Did I understand you to say that he wou ldn't do for a prize fighter because his lungs were weak?" "Well, no; not exactly that.although the mistake is a natural one. I said he would never be a success because he had no command of lauguage." Chicago Post. The Leather Screen.

A screen of ooz leather, embroidered In a conventional design of chrj'santhe-inums and leaves and mounted in carved ebony is shown at a dealer's acted for the artistic excellence of his work. of money. The same obstruction to that avenue of relief still exists. I wish now, in addition to all I have heretofore said In this and former communications on the subject, to suggest another plan for the solution of this university problem and that is to enact a law directing the fund commissioners tc issue a state certificate of indebtedness, non-negotiable and non-transferable, to be held in trust for the seminary fund, in an amount and at a rate of interest sufficient to sustain the school, and thereby transfer the liability of its support from the revenue fund to the interest fund. The certificate should be for at least $2,000,000, and should bear interest at the rate of five percent That would create an annual revenue of $100,000, which, added to the interest on the present endowment, would make a total income reasonably sufficient to accommodate the needs of the institution for years to come, put it mi its feet and make it independent This plan, if carried out, would also instantly remove the pressure on the Keveime fund and leave it in good condition to meet other demands against it The governor then proceeds at considerable length to argue the legal feasibility of the scheme and continues: It would be the means of realizing at once' the hopes of all the friends of higher education by placing the University on a plane of independence.

It would put an end to all the exasperating consequences incident, to the methods and policies heretofore pursued, and would start the institution, confident and self-reliant, on a career of progress almost certain tc put it beyond neighboring competition and make it one of the really great universities of the republic. And all this would be done without increasing the present burden ol taxation a single farthing. I will close my reference to the institution with a brief quotation from a recent letter from President Jesse, in which he says: "It seems to me that all departments ol the state government that have for thefr object scientific work should be connected with the University. This means the saving of expense to the state, and the strengthening of the University. It would be a good thing to make the University the home oi the state geological and natural history survey, of the state board of health, of the fish commission, and of a commission for inquiry into adulteration of foods, drugs, fertilizers, etc." I warmly indorse this suggestion, and hope it may not only meet with your approval, but that you will give to it such legislative sanction as will make it effective.

I desire also to recommend a special appropriation for the maintenance of a chair in the university on the theory and practice of medicine, according to the homeopathic view. To prevent any misunderstanding, perhaps I ought to say that when I speak of the university I include the School of Mines. The governor urges a revision of the school text-book law, and the making ol county supervision of schools obligatory instead of permissive, as it now is by law. He renews his former recommendation for a board of pardons. Bank Inspection.

I desire to call especial attention to th report of the secretary of state with reference to bank inspections. The system of inspections established by him is thorough, and the work done under his supervision has leen conducted along lines the most intelligent and praiseworthy. Since the secretary undertook this work about eighteen months ago he has caused 713 examinations to be made. Twenty-eight banks have been closed at his instance (although four of those have since been permitted to resume) eighteen banks have been forced into involuntary liquidation, and eight into voluntary assignments. Fifty banks have gone out of business since the inspection law was passed.

This shows how necessary it was that such a law should have been enacted. Unfortunately the law limited the number of inspectors to two That number is not sufficient for the work. There are now 5S3 banks subject to state inspection. The number of inspectors ought to be increased. There is no reason why there should not be, as the increase would entail no additional burden on the taxpayers.

Revenue Law Amendment. I desire to invite particular attention tc the following extract from a recent communication of Auditor Seibert to me, and tc express my entire concurrence in his rec; on) a tions "Experience has demonstrated that our revenue system is seriously defective and needs improvement The records of the courts show that thousands of dollars are lost to the State every year b- reason of informalities in the assessors' books, tax books.dellnquent lists.etc. Again, there is no uniformity in the settlements with the treasury department by officers handling public moneys, nor suitable safeguards against errors in accounting. These defects could be cured by amending the law to authorize and require the state auditor, who is charged by law with the duty of supervising the revenue service, to prepnre and furnish forms of all books and blanks used in the assessment of property, preparing tax books, collecting taxes, making settlements and keeping accounts with the state, nndet the law now in force. Railroad Legislation.

In concluding this communication, which Is the last I will have the honor of making to the General Assembly, I express the hope that your sojourn at the capital will be pleasant, anil that your work may prove of advantage to the state. I have seen much recently in the press that this Legislature would be unusuallv hostile to corporations and other special Interests. To these reports I have given little credence, but if lean venture to do so without offense, I would advise that all legislation should be along high lines and characterized bv wise conservatism and the spirit of absolute justice. The State cannot afford to make war on any legitimate interest for war means to tear down and destroy, not to create and build up. The property of corporations is the property of the citizen.

Itls entitled to the same measure of protection accorded the possessions of others, and should be required to bear onlv its just and equal proportion of the public burdens. Just laws for the government of corporations should exist but no law which unfairly discriminates against them should be enacted. No important legislation should be attempted until the situation it deals with is fully understood and the effect of the legislation thoroughly weighed. The thing I counsel is moderation; the thing I advise against is inlustice. A spirit of resentment should never give direction to public policy, nor wield an Influence over those charged with public functions.

No man is worthy to fill public station who consents to do wrong, however great the temptation, or fears to do right no matter who or what he antagonizes. I hope this general assembly especially will labor solelv and incessantly to promote every legitimate interest of the state, and advance still higher Missouri a proud and unsullied standard. William J. Stone. Balloon Advertising.

The proprietors of an English medical nostrum announce that on a certain day they will send up a balloon over London from which a number of checks will be thrown, varying in value from 85 to $50. which will be cashed at the office of the concern. Unreasonable. Emily, your aunt has been dead only a few days, and you are wearing a light dress!" "But you surely don't expect ma to wear mourning at home, do you?" A Sunday In St. Louis.

Sunday afternoon Albert Sehrobach, a printer, committed suicide by jumping into the Mississippi river at the foot of Chestnut street. Charles Holscher, of 1545 South Seventh street, and Peter Nauert, 1S0S South Broadway, both bookbinders, escorted Barbara Wright, 1305 Allen avenue, and Gertie Zcigler, 1027 Russell a venue, to the theater Sunday evening. On their way home they were met by Ben Schaeffer and. Joseph Schwalen-bach at Fourteenth street and Russell avenue. The men were rivals for the favor of the two young ladies and proceeded to assault their escorts.

In the encounter which followed some hard blows were exchanged, and Schaeffer stabbed Holscher in the right shoulder. The injured man was sent to the city hospital. Schaeffer is locked np. At Twenty-eighth and Chestnut streets three highwaymen jumped from a wagon and robbed a young man by the name of Frank Sullivan. They beat him in a frightful manner and took his hat, overcoat and gloves.

He had no money. Sadie Robertson, of 105 South Thirteenth street, became despondent while visiting another woman named Kusch-ong at 1220 Clark avenue, and attempted to commit suicide by taking a dose of bromo potash. She wat to the city dispensary, where Dr. Lippe pumped her out. She is now at the city hospital.

The girl states that she was keeping company with a young man named Coleman, who resides near her home, and tiiat finding that he lavished her affections on another girl, she concluded that life had no more charms for her. She for several days and finally decided to take poison. Scattered Tho Ashes. Obedient to his aged father's dying request, Ernost Rosen sto.Hl over tho center arch of the Eads bridge, at St. Louis, at 4:33 o'clock Saturday afternoon, opened a vase and scattered its contents broadcast on the muddy, turbulent waters of the Mississippi river.

The shower of dust like substance, which was wafted hero and there by the wind as it descended, was the ashes of th body of his father, Carl Rosen, who had thus by will disposed of his earthly remains. The man who thus consigned his ancestor's dust to the waves was alone, aud when he had iluished his peculiar and melancholy tak he walked slowly the bridge, and none of the few who observed his actions suspected that they had witnessed an interment. At Rich Hill, Mo. The newspaper plant of tho Rich nill Itivisw and Wer-kly Minin Review was consumed by fire Sunday morning. The property wad owned by S.

R. Walters, the editor. The Review is the pioneer newspaper of Rich Hill, the weekly being in its sixteenth year and the daily in the tenth year of it publication. The ofliee was one of the best equipped in Southwest Missouri, the plant costing the owner about The material was insured for $.1,300. The paper will continue publication, the daily to be issued from the Tribune office.

A Coon Fined. Will Fristo, colored, was fined $30 It the Kiddle street police court, S. last week Thursday morning. He attempted to take liberties wltb Agnes, the 5-year-old daughter of Mrs. Kate Walsh, of 30.V Lincoln avenue, in the alley in the rear of their home.

The child's screams brought her inoLiier, who pursued the bruta. He dre a knifo to keep her away, and started oa a run to escape. A mob chased after him, and lie wa.s finally by Officer Glynn. Arrow Rock enjoys the unique distinction of boiDg a town without a lawyer. Slabs oE vilicate from two to five feet in length are being taken from tho Converse shaft, where the biggest strike of that mineral in the Joplin district was made not long ago, a solid sheet of the ore Laving been found at i depth of 20 feet.

NEWS IN BRIEF. Three business men were held np by two robbers in an elevator In Chicago in broad daylight. One was relieved of a satchel containing So40. Mrs. Robert Howard, Madrid, Iowa, told her husband she.

was going ta church, then went riding with John Slick, and was killed, he says, ace dentally. California fruit grower are going in force to Washington to plead for higher duties and southern boards of trade are unitin.j in demanding higher rice duties..