The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1876-11-30

orous representative local sentimeut and local
interests occupies the most prominent plsce in
the esteem of his fellow citizeus, and with them
establishes associations which survive long after
the ties Of direct mutual interest have been sew
crel.
Now that the four-years administration of Gov.
Osborn is drawing to . close, we venture to refer
to him practical illustration of the principle
just stated. The people Of this County, in CON-
mon ith the Editor Of this paper, may have
found more or less tn criticiss in the Governors q
official policy, but il is uudenisble that they and
We hsve watched his course with that peculiar
interst nh ich attaches to him as former resi-
dent Of this County, and that in the most essen-
tiai particulars that course has met their warm
est approval.
As member from this County of the first Sen
ate Of the State, Mr. Osborn took an active part
in the important legislation necessary to set the
new government in active operation. That his
work was appreciated and commended by his
constituents, is evidenced by the fact that, at the
succeeding general election, when he was chosen
Lieutenant Governor, he received . majority Of
645 in this County, while tho head Of the ticket,
Gov. Carney, received but rs majority. While
at home, IL may not be smiss to note, that It ap
pears to be quite ~ potent among his present
neighbors as it was and V suoag ~. At the elec-
tion Of 1874, his majority in Leavenworth County
over Mr.. Cusey vss 1879, while tho Republican
ticket was defeated in the County by an average
majority of some two hundred.
Bnt it il - the Chief Magistrate of the State
that the Governors record becomes more appro-
pristely the subject of discussion; and it is to
his services in this relation that his friends can
feel the strongest pride in directing public at
tention. While bis administration and himself
personally have not escaped dstrsction, it is
quite certain that his enemies have confined
themselves to general and vague denunciation,
and have not ventured to assail specifically the
results of his Official career, found in the rec
ord.
The financial standing of the Stste is of the
first consequence, and what that standing is, the
figures show. When Gov. Osborn came into
Office, there were State warrants outstand-
ing to the amount of more than t200, 900. These
were redeemed at an early day, and since then
not dollar of scrip has been issued for which
the money could not instantly have been obtain
cd at the Treasury. Up to 1873, there had been
paid out al interest on scrip not redeemed for
want of funds, upwards of 5000. Since that
time, there has been no expenditure for that pur
pose.
But the highest tribute to the States financial
status is found in her credit abroad. The most
of our outstanding bonds were sold for ninety
cents on the dollar; now they are scarcely to be
had ut oil, and none can be purchased at less
than one hundred and five, and accrued interest.
Indeed, our bonded Indebtedness is trife, COM
paratively, ss the greater portion of the State
obligations have been absorbed by the several
specific funds in the Treasury. The first issue of
10000, negotiated to set the machinery of the
State Government in motion, have been paid,
and there is now in the sinking fund sufficient
money to take up the second issue of bonds, as
they fall due.
During Gov. Osborn's administrati the ma
chinery of the State Government has worked
smoothly, while there has been no want of vigor
and decision, when these qualities have been in
demand. The educational and charitable insti-
tutions have been well sustained, and their cs-
pscity enlarged, as the necessities of the State
edness being thus occasioned, the public burden
has actually been lessened, by the payment of
debts incurred in our early history. The system
of government prevailing in our public institu-
tions has been harm onized and simpli6ed, and
dissensions no longer prevail in their manage
msnt. Notwithstanding the large expenditures
in this and other directions, the State tax has
been reduced to point lower than it has been
since 1861, and il some twenty per cent. less than
is the State tax Of New York, with taxable val
uation reaching into the billions.
The school fund of the State is assuming mag
ni6cent proportions. It now amounts to about
81 ,300O 900, against . little over 500, 900 four
years ago. Noble and rapidly increasing as is
this endowment, it is by no means the most impor-
tant feature of our unrivalled school system,
which 10 destined to give Kansas the lead in Cd
ucationa, a. she has already assumed it in other,
matters.
The sctivity and zeal Of the Governor have 30
cured the adjustment Of the claim of 1000
against the State for ordnance and ordnance
stores issued by the United States. Through
his influence, m act Of Congress WAS passed, al
lowing credit for srms issued to the Territory,
and for those Lost in the service Of the Govern.
ment; 50 that not only has greater part of THE
charge been wiped ont, but tho State has been
enabled to procure 6 much-nssded supply of i'm
proved arms.
Gov. Osborn's administration has been popu-
lar one-populsr not ouly in the hackneyed nc
ceptstion C. that term, bnt popular also in the
sense that IL has adapted itself to the wants and
circumstances of the people. He took bold
ground in the Usage Coded Land controversy,
and it was his efforts that placed that controver-
av In oh l.r A.