The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1872-01-12
GOVERNOR HARvEY's MESSAGE.


GOVERNOR HARVEY'S MESSAGE.
The message of our Governor
reached us yesterday afternoon, en-
tirely too late for publication. We
are sorry for this because we I'M
hesitatingly pronounce it the best
message ever written by Governor
of Kansas. Next week it will be
too old, and consequently We shall
have to put It off with brief re-
view. It seems to us there would
be nothing wrong or inconsistent in
sending advance copies of the mes
sage to country publishers that they
might put it in type the same week
of its delivery. Had a copy been
sent to US on Tuesday we could have
given II, to our readers entire this
week, which would have Afforded
them and us great pleasure.
The message is complete state
ment, plain and pointed, of the con-
dition of the affairs of the State.
We do not remember to have read
clearer document. 1t gives full
showing of our finances, educational
affairs, elemosynary institutions,
and everything in which the public
takes an interest and abounds in
the soundest recommendations.
From it we learn that the total
liabilities of the State are 81 ,4O3, 069.
and that the resources are $7S2, &c.,
SO. During the year the Heating
debt OF the State was decreased
$lS2,4Sl.02, leaving but 57,l64.42
of warrants outstanding. These
will be redeemed during tho present
month, and there will be money
enough left to meet all ordinary de-
mands upon the treasury. There is
balance in the trea sury of $l4S,-
5l7.20 belonging to the various
funds. Our financial condition is
sound. The rate of taxation was
reduced at the last session, and the
Governor thinks, with proper econ
omy, it may be still farther reduced,
a consumr ion devoutly to be
wished for ....
| The statistics taken from the re-
port of the State Superintendent OF
Public Instruction are very encour-
aging for our Common School in
terests. The increase in the num-
Der of organized school districts,
during the year, Is 579, increase in
the number OF children OF school
age, 3,1l4; increase of persons en-
rolled in public schools, $3.50; in
crease in average daily attendance,
Is, 400 ; increase in number OF teach
ers, S3S; there is q decrease, since
last year, of S53,953.75 in the item
of expenses for repairs; increase of
amount raised from semi-annual
dividends, $42,4l9.s3; increase In
amount raised by district tax, $I6,-
1874; total increase from various
sources, S2l5,627.5S; increase in
number of school houses, 319.
The Governor reports the condi-
ton of the State Normal Schools at
Emporia and Leavenworth and the
State University, at Lawrence, and
the Agricultural College at Man
haitian, as very satisfactory. The
Governor makes some excellent
practical suggestions in educational
matters, including the passage of q
law to secure compulsory education
of the large number Of youth who
do not attend the public schools.
The number of inmates OF the
peitentiary on the 30th OF Novem-
Der, the end OF the fiscal year, was
303, an increase, in the yearIo 81.
This increase made .-ik- necessary
for the direetors TO incura debt OF
sec, 475.09 more than the last appro-
priation. The cost OF boarding
each convict, under the present eff
| cient aud economical mana Cement,
is seventeen and one-third cents
per day. 1t cost, formerly, as high
as seventy cents per day to keep
them. The penitentiary is we'll
managed, and everything connec-
ted with it is in a satisfactory con-
dition.
We have not room to follow this
excellent message throughout at
present, but may do so next week.
The Governor has spoken out in
reference to "mercenary politics"
and his sentiments will find an
echo from every honest heart in tho
State. We close this part OF the
message with the following extract:
"a Just law Is also needed to secure
| the neutrality Interpretations in all po-
litieal contests. Those organizations
are entitled to and must receive such
protection as Is consistent with the
proper object OF their creation and con-
sonant with the public good. Moth
ing more than this should be asked,
nothing less granted. / recommend,
therefore, the passage of . law provid-
ing that any corporation against which
{ shall be pre- an that money has been
contributed FOR the election or defeat of
any candida 20 for any public ONCE,
shall forfeit Its character; and that all
managing officers Of such corporations,
IL residents Of this State, shall be dis
franchised, and II non-residents they
shall be rendered incapable Of doing
any Official act within the Jurisdiction