Library. These books represent the latest and probably the best judicial thought and concern some of the most important legal subjects. A part of these books were received in change and the rest were purchased.

ex.

The Fourth State Legislature provided for the setting aside of 15,000 acres of land belonging to the state for the benefit of this library. This land has been all selected and rentals. amounting to $1,426.40 were eceived during the past two years. This sum was expended for the purchase of books

THE MISCELLANEOUS STATE LIBRARY.

This library was endowed by the Fourth State Legislature with 15,000 acres of state land and during the past two years has derived rentals amcunting to $1,344.85 from the donation. Mr. Robert C. Morris, clerk of the supreme court, has prepared an interesting report concerning what has been accomplished by the library since its establishment. The librarv now contains over 900 books in the selection of which much care and clear discrimination has been exercised. The Miscellaneous State Library shares with the Law Library its quarters in the Capitol building and is subject to the same rules concerning the use of books as the latter.

THE WYOMING HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

This society was established in 1895 by an act of the legislature. Since its organization, it has collected a library of several hundred volumes, besides a number of original pamphlets bearing more or less directly upon the history of Wyoming. The report of the secretary embodies an itemized list of the valuable specimens, mineral, historical and otherwise, which have been collected during the past two years and which now constitute what is known as the State Museum. This museum is an object of much interest to persons visiting the capitol and does much in the way of impressing upon strangers the mineral wealth and the cther resources of the state.

STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

I am pleased to report that the State University and Agricultural College at Laramie is in most excellent condition and that it is liberally patronized by the citizens of the state- Its faculty is one of recognized ability; its trustees have been faithful and energetic in the performance of their duties and the University ranks high among similar institutions of this country. Never in its history has its standing or prestige been higher and its outlook for the future is most promising.

The officers of the institution have prepared an exhaustive report of the operations of the University, which has been print

ed and is now before you and it will therefore be unnecessary for me to go into detail. I would, however, urge that you give this printed report your earnest attention as the matters contained therein are both important and instructive.

The president of the Board of Trustees states that the present authorized assessment of 3-16 mills for four years will be insufficient to raise the thirty-five thousand dollars to build and equip the Science Hall, authorized by the Fifth Legislaturc. It is calculated that under the present law about twentyeight thousand dollars will be raised, leaving a deficit of some $7,000, which I recommend that you authorize to be raised by an additional levy, and I would also recommend that an appropriation be made to purchase a piece of ground necessary to square the site of the University, if it can be bought at a low figure.

THE NATIONAL GUARD.

The mustering intc the volunteer service of the United States of the First Wyoming battalion and the Wyoming Light battery left the state practically without a proper military organization. Four infantry companies were organized during the year 1898 and three infantry companies during the year 1899. A cavalry company known as "Troop A" was organized February 1st., 1900, and is located at Cheyenne.

The Second Regiment, Wyoming National Guard, is commanded by Col. M. C. Barkwell, with regimental headquarters at Cheyenne. It comprises the companies at Evanston, Lander, Buffalo, Sheridan, Sundance, Douglas and Cheyenne and has 350 men, including staff and line officers on its rolls.

BACK PAY FOR VOLUNTEERS.

Section 742 of the Revised Statutes of Wyoming provides that militia men, when called out by the state, shall receive $2 per day pay for the first fourteen days. The various members of the Wyoming battalion and Battery A, Wyoming Light artillery, who were members of their respective organizations prior to the muster-in of the battalion and battery were therefore entitled to the difference between $2 per day and 52 cents per day-the latter being the amount paid them by the government, for the number of days from the date of their enrollment to the date of their muster into the volunteer service.

The Act of Congress of March 3, 1899, provided that in cases where states had paid their volunteers amounts in excess of 52 cents per day for the period from date of enrollment to date of muster into volunteer service, the said states were entitled to reimbursement by the general government. This act also provided that no state should cover any of the money due officers and men under this act, into its treasury. On February

19, 1900, I presented a claim of $5,063.60 of the state of Wyoming against the United States for amount due volunteers under this act, to the Auditor of the Treasury for the War Department at Washington. The Auditor of the Treasury disallowed the claim, holding that the law did not contemplate reimbursing governors of states and territories for expenses incurred which had not been paid by them. My opinion was to the contrary and I promptly appealed from the decision of the Auditor to the comptroller of the treasury.

The latter gentleman sustained my appeal and on June 5, 1900, I received a warrant from the war department for $5,063.60. Under this appropriation, about 400 men were entitled to various sums ranging from $1.48 to $25. Up to Dec. 17, 1900, about 225 men have been located and paid in full. Vouchers have been sent to about 300 altogether and settlement is being made with the men as rapidly as they can be located.

It is feared, however, that some of the men can never be located because when the Wyoming troops were mustered out at San Francisco the men scattered everywhere.

The following is a statement of the account of the volunteers' back pay:

THE EXPENSE OF BRINGING TROOPS HOME.

When the news reached Wyoming that our state troops, after their arduous campaign in the Philippines, were about to be returned to their homes, it was the general sentiment of our people that Wyoming should follow the example of other states and provide transportation for our soldiers from San Franciso. to their homes.

The intention in doing this was to arrange it so that our brave soldiers, many of whom were weak and debilitated from a long service in a foreign clime, might save the travel pay allowed them by the general government and not reach their homes utterly destitute.

The people of the state demanded that this be done and

as there were no funds available, several hundred public-spirited gentlemen from all over the state, signed two notes, one to the Stockgrower's National bank, and one to the First National bank, Cheyenne, dated August 24, 1899, for $4,442.10, bearing six per cent interest per annum, and with these sums our volunteers were transported to their various homes free of charge, thus being shown in the most satisfactory manner the appreciation in which their services were held by their state.

In order that the endorsers of these notes may receive the necessary relief, I hereby recommend that an appropriation be made to cover these two notes of $4,442.10 each, with accrued interest.

MEDALS FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS.

The heroic services of our troops in the Philippines has won the admiration of the nation and is a just cause for a pardonable state pride Too much cannot be sani in praise of the valor and unselfish devotion to the flag, of the men of the state of Wyoming, who at first call to arms, offered themselves as champions of our country's cause.

Other states whose sons shared with ours the triumphs of war, in appreciation of their soldiers' services have fittingly rewarded them; and, in fulfillment of a promise made to our troops upon their arrival at San Francisco, from Manila, I do most carnestly recommend that an appropriation of $750 be made to provide suitable medals for the men who upheld the honor of the "Stars and Stripes" and the State of Wyonung tipon a foreign soil, and that every man who participated in the Philippine campaign be presented with a medai properly inscribed with his name.

FISH AND GAME.

It gives me pleasure to report that the laws passed by the last legislature for the protection of our game have proven, in the main, very successful. The State Game Warden and his deputies have, in a great degree, prevented the wanton destruction of game throughout a considerable portion of the state and have carried out the laws faithfully so far as the means at their command has allowed.

The State Game Warden has appointed deputies only where they were absolutely necessary. The entire expense of maintaining this protection, including the salaries of the State Game Warden, his deputies, etc., has been met by the proceeds. of fines and licenses and all this has been done without cost to the state.

From the best figures obtainable from those best qualified to estimate, I am happy to report that game is increasing, especially in the mountainous regions of the state.

Some changes in the law as it now stands are neecssary and will be brought up for your consideration later in the session.

I would respectfully recommend that some measure be passed guaranteeing protection to our song and insectivorous birds. Foliage is naturally sparse in this section of the country and these birds do much good in destroying insects injurious

to trees.

THE CAPITOL BUILDING COMMISSION.

The report of the Capitol Building Commission deals with some of the important repairs that have been made during the past year. Within this term, a new steam heating plant has been placed in the building and is now in successful operation This improvement was provided for by a bill passed by the last legislature. The work was awarded to the contractor as the result of a submission of competitive bids.

The appearance of the capitol has been much improved during the past year by the painting of the dome and the cornices and the laying of gold leaf on the copper surface of the dome. This work was done under competitive bids. Other permanent improvements of a minor character have been made. and the present condition of the building is very satisfactory.

FISH HATCHERIES.

The report of the Superintendent of Fish Hatchery No. I at Laramie shows that during the last two years 1,270,000 trout were planted in the eight counties embraced within its district. These fish were planted in 108 different streams and were delivered to 156 persons. This shipment consisted of 333 cans.

Eight hundred and fifty-two thousand trout were planted along the lines of the Union Pacific railroad and the Oregon Short Line and the balance, 418,000, along the lines of the Cheyenne & Northern and the F. E. & M. V. railroads.

The Superintendent of Fish Hatchery No. 2 reports that 361,500 trout were taken from the Sheridan hatchery and planted in the streams of Sheridan county and a like number was planted in the Johnson county streams; 57,000 trout were taken from the Sundance hatchery and planted in the streams of northern Wyoming.

The several hatcheries of the state are in good condition and the indications are that their usefulness will be increased from year to year.

STATE COAL MINES.

The State Inspector of Coal Mines presents an interesting. report concerning the coal industry of the state. The output