In view of the fact, that an appropriation of $50,000 would fail to present the state's capabilities and demands, in an adequate manner, in the World's Fair at Chicago, an equal additional appropriation was recommended.

The warehouse bill of last session, now a law, received hearty commendation, with such additions suggested as would give it greater efficiency. The new election law known as the Aus tralian System, and the Michigan mode of choosing presidential electors, by congressional districts, came in for approval, on the basis of successful experiment, and needed only certain specific additions to bring them up to the governor's standard of democratic excellence.

In his official term, having navigated a stormy sea, his excellency hailed a quiet port with an honest concession:

There are many agreeable things connected with the Governor's office, but at the same time, I may say, it is with a feeling of pleasure and rejoicing that I relinquish unto my successor the duties, cares and responsibilities pertaining thereto.

GOVERNOR LORENZO CROUNSE.

1893-1895.

Governor Lorenzo Crounse delivered his inaugural January 13, 1893, in which he congratulated the legislature upon state prosperity, as contrasted with the drouth of two years before; affirmed the fact of Nebraskans being a plain, toiling people, averse to "extravagance which begets extravagance"; and expressed the positive opinion that "the appropriations made by the last legislature" were $750,000 too high, and that $50,000 more could be saved by the legislature dispensing with unnecessary employees; that the management of state institutions should be so thorough that guilty officials, if in existence, should be exposed; that "corporations not only have no right to unjustly take millions, but they should not be allowed to take an unjust dollar from the people," and yet "their property deserves the same consideration as that accorded to any other," and while the Populist party had control of the legislature and he would have preferred one in harmony with his own views, still it was their duty "to advance the welfare and glory of the State in which we all have such a just pride."

It was at this session of the legislature that Judge William V. Allen, Populist, was elected United States Senator for a term of six years.

MESSAGE, JANUARY 3, 1895.

Two years after the delivery of his inaugural, he was compelled to review a period of great financial depression and failure of crops in the western part of the State, causing him to revive the relief commission of 1891, and giving an opportunity of thanking the people of Oregon and others for substantial aid, and the railroads for free transportation for donated supplies. Said he: "My idea is that the several counties should care for their own needy." He believed this would produce economy and

honesty in distribution, and if the State would invest the pernianent school fund in relief bonds of counties, it would be safer and cheaper than outright appropriations; besides the State indebtedness had reached the constitutional limit.

FINANCES.

He declared the State's financial condition bad, inasmuch as there were outstanding warrants of two classes, equal to $608,538, with only $28,503 with which to pay. He found the property of the State $1,275,685,514, assessed at less than 15 per cent of its value. He demanded better security for State funds deposited with banks; and gave ample evidence of a painstaking and intelligent care over the investments of the permanent school fund. By securing obedience to the law requiring officers of state institutions to make semi-annual reports of receipts and disbursements, he was able to see order evolved from confusion and economy made the rule rather than the exception. While the monthly demand for coal at the Lincoln Insane Hospital under Thayer's administration for two terms was 546 tons, and under Boyd's 233 tons for one term, it was only 181 tons during the term of Mr. Crounse.

It was his good fortune to have administered his term on $667,000 less of an appropriation than the allowance for the previous years.

By allowing an officer of a prominent institution to retain. position irrespective of politics, he honored the doctrine of promotion for merit, and said in his message: "Sound legislation should not be avoided for fear of the loss of some partisan advantage." In cases where malfeasance and embezzlement were suspected he promptly aided the officers of justice. In the matter of $236,364 he ordered suit to be brought upon a retired treasurer's bond. He was able to show a decided decline in insane hospital expenses in these words:

These three hospitals, located at Hastings, Lincoln, and Norfolk, under the superintendency of Drs. Johnston, Hay, and Little, respectively, have been ably managed, and I desire to testify to the hearty co-operation and sympathy of