show that both city and county indebtedness is comparatively light. An exception may be made to this statement in the case of five or six cities, and perhaps two or three counties, that are still bearing considerable burdens of indebtedness arising from aid voted to railroads many years ago. On the whole, however, the showing is very favorable, in comparison with some of our neighboring States. Thirtyfive of our fifty-eight cities report an aggregate indebtedness of $3,474,383. Those reporting include nearly all of the larger cities, and it is probable that the entire city indebtedness is not over $4,000,000. County indebtedness amounts to $2,704,769. Nowhere is a higher standard of public or private credit maintained, and nowhere are the rights of property more carefully guarded than in Iowa.

COURTS OF CONCILIATION.

Public attention is being directed to simpler and less expensive methods of settling disputes between individuals, such as often lead to costly litigation and sometimes to unpleasant and vexatious feuds of long standing. Courts of conciliation have been in existence many years in other countries and with very happy effect. They consist of judges, not usually lawyers, but men of good judgment, high character, and kindly disposition, who in the presence of both parties to a dispute, but no other persons, hear both sides, and then endeavor to bring them to a common understanding and agreement, and in a large majority of cases with entire success. It is a very simple method of arbitration, yet permanent and possessing sufficient legal power to make its work effective. I do not doubt there is much in this worthy of attention, and I recommend that some committee of your body be charged with the duty of investigating and reporting upon it, with a view of bringing it into more general public notice and discussion, which may lead to its adoption.

TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY.

An opportunity is afforded for making a complete and minute topographical survey of the State in connection with a similar work now being executed by the authority and under the direction of the general government in the different States and Territories of the Union. Full details of the plan of co-operation, its utility, cost, time necessary for its completion, etc., have been placed in my hands by Prof. McGee of this State, now engaged in the United States geological sur

vey, and I shall be pleased to lay them before you, or any committee of the General Assembly having such matters in charge. There is also need for a more careful geological survey of the State than any hitherto made, particularly in reference to the undeveloped wealth which undoubtedly exists below the surface, and of which there are many certain indications. The flow of natural gas in several counties, the need of artesian wells, and the benefit to be derived from the further development of our coal industry, stimulate the desire for a more complete exploration of the interior of the earth. Suggestions have been made that the State should undertake some work of this kind, doing it more systematically and thoroughly than can be accomplished by private enterprise. The whole field is one of very interesting inquiry to which I invite your attention.

REFUND OF DIRECT TAX.

There is a bill before Congress for repaying to the States and Territories the sums respectively received from them under the direct tax act approved August 5, 1861. The amount imposed upon Iowa under that law was $452,088. The State undertook the collection of this tax and received therefor a commission, or discount, of fifteen per cent., the actual amount paid over to the United States being $384,274.80. The whole tax imposed amounted to $20,000,000. The amount credited, as paid, including commissions, is $17,359,685.51; amount still due, $2,640,314.49. The bill remits and relinquishes the latter amount and refunds the former. This bill is just and should become a law. It would relieve the States resting under the burden. of the amount still due, while the refunding to the States which came to the rescue of the general government when it was in distress, would be a graceful act on the part of the latter now that its treasury is burdened with a troublesome surplus. I recommend that you memorialize Congress for the speedy passage of this bill.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Notarial Commissions.-A new period of three years for the issue of notarial commissions will begin July 4, 1888. The number issued in the last two and a half years is 5,997, for which a fee of $1.25 each has been charged. This hardly covers the expense attending the issue of a commission. I recommend that the fee be raised to $3, and for commissioners in other States to $5.

John Tolman School Lands.-The Eighteenth General Assembly appropriated $8,000 to indemnify certain purchasers of land in Webster and Hamilton counties. On the 20th of December, 1887, there remained undrawn of said appropriation $3,161.27. The interest on these claims should be stopped.

Telegraph, Telephone and Express Companies should be required to report as fully to State authorities as railroad companies and bankers now do.

Telegraph Tolls should be reduced. Twenty-five cents is a sufficient compensation for twenty words between any two points in Iowa.

Divorces are more numerous than they should be in a well regulated society. I recommend a revision of the law upon this subject with a view to bringing it into harmony with the latest and best judgment of the age in which we live.

Section 3861 of the Code should be amended by striking out "ten " in the third line and inserting "sixteen."

Drawing Money from the Treasury.-The Auditor of State suggests, if sections 1679 and 1693 of the Code were amended so as to make the current expenses of the College for the Blind and the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb payable monthly, the business of his office would be facilitated, and that of these institutions conducted more satisfactorily. Money should be drawn from the State treasury only as it is needed, and should not be allowed to accumulate in local treasuries.

The Governor should have authority to receive and care for works of art and literary productions.

Information from Judges.-On the 6th of December, 1887, I addressed a letter to the judges of the State inviting suggestions as to amendments that should be made to our statutes; and also requesting them to apprise me of the effect of the Prohibitory Law in their respective districts, particularly upon crime and criminal expenses, and whether they would advise its repeal, and, if so, what they would propose to place in its stead. At this writing I have received replies from about two thirds of the judges, containing many valuable suggestions and recommendations, which I shall at an early day lay before you for your information.

Section 4773 of the Code should be so amended as to permit contracts for coal to be made at a different season of the year from the one there named.

Selecting Juries.-Many complaints are made in reference to the character of juries, particularly in the larger cities, where there is a growing demand for a change in the methods of their selection. The professional juryman ought to be discouraged, and a higher order of talent and character brought into requisition. Some recent trials have demonstrated the necessity, if the ends of justice are not to be defeated, of some improvement in these matters, and, that possibly in certain cases, the State should have the right to a change of venue. To the whole subject I invite your earnest attention, with the hope that suitable remedies may be provided for an evil, which, if not promptly checked, may in time become one of great magnitude and difficult of eradication.

A Gift of Land.-In the month of October, 1886, I received from Dudley W. Adams and his wife, of Allamakee county, a deed to a tract of seventy-six acres of land in the incorporated town of Waukon, of said county, for the use of the Agricultural College, it being the desire of the donors to promote agricultural education. The gift is made upon certain conditions, which are set forth in the deed. Having no authority to accept such a donation on behalf of the State, I respectfully refer the matter to the General Assembly.

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"Trusts."-I recommend that prompt measures be taken to protect the people against the abuses under the cover of combinations generally known as trusts or "pools." There is a common belief that these and similar combinations suppress competition, enhance the cost of the necessaries of life, and lay heavy burdens upon those least able to bear them.

PROHIBITION.

Much progress has been made in the enforcement of the Prohibitory Law. Not only has public sentiment much improved in relation to it, but judicial officers are more disposed to secure its enforcement. Many judges give strong testimony in its favor, showing that, where it has been well executed, there has been a marked reduction in criminal offenses, and also in court expenses. During the last year, and particularly during its latter half, there has been a decided falling off in penitentiary convicts, and a very large number of county jails have been empty, some of them for the first time in years. There has been a marked improvement in the condition of our poorer people, especially in the families of laboring men ad dicted to strong drink. What was formerly squandered in the saloon

now goes to the support of wife and children. nesses to this can be cited.

Hundreds of wit

While there is very little difficulty now in enforcing the law in the rural districts and in a very large majority of the counties, there are still a few portions of the State, particularly some of the larger cities, where the law is not enforced. This, however, does not include all such cities, for in Des Moines, Sioux City and Cedar Rapids, three of the largest and most rapidly growing cities of the State, the Prohibitory Law is now, and has been for the past year, well enforced. The Constitution makes it incumbent upon the Governor to

ENFORCE THE LAWS.

There is not much difficulty in complying with this injunction in reference to the laws generally. The law for the suppression of intemperance however is, in some places, an exception. Citizens have again and again called upon me to enforce the Prohibitory Law in the few counties and places where, as yet, but little regard has been paid to it. I in turn have called upon the judges, sheriffs, and other officers to aid in accomplishing this, but, I regret to say, without success. I know of no means at the command of the Executive which can be relied upon to secure better results in the future. I therefore recommend that a joint committee of the General Assembly be appointed early in the session to inquire into the reasons for the non-enforcement of this law in certain communities; and whether the officers there are neglectful of their duties. I think some measures should be adopted to quicken the consciences of the officials, who neglect or refuse to perform their sworn duty; or else provide a way for their suspension or removal. It is a disgrace to the State to have its authority so openly defied. Our people are strong in their convictions that this law should be enforced as well as others, and it is the duty of the Legislature to provide the means. The authority of the Legislature in these matters is no longer a subject of dispute. The recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States settles that question, and on grounds so broad and just as to make it impregnable and final. The chief and confident hope of the opposers and violators of the law has been that this' tribunal of final resort would set it aside, or at least so impair its efficiency as to render its further continuance impossible. On the contrary, this decision sustains the principle of the law so completely and sweepingly as to become its strong bulwark of support and defense. The Court says there is no justifica