The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1876-01-20
Governors Message.


The Message of Gov osborn. which was 'rs"s
mitted TO the Legislature last week. is Que '. -.
very hest. Some have expressed dIsaPP
because he made no reference TO Po''''S'
is so much more in his favor. If be c"nn"eu Iii"
telf to the interests of the State ana "io lot e'
ira,.s the oc,.asiou 70 make political capital fol
b;ms,IF The Message is somewhat lengthy, and
we shall merely give a synopsis of his recommen'
datinns.
If,a- comparing the condition and prosperity
or ,b,. State now with year ago, and congratu
lntiur the people upon the Improvement, he en-
tiers upon the finances.
He says that, notwithstanding the hard times
Kansas has promptly met al her obligations, and
that her bonds command premium in the East
ern markets. He recommends retrenchment
but not the withholding of necessary appropria-
tiOns.
He recommends more care in the selection oi
local officers, such as School Boards, Township
Trustees. and County Commissioners, who have
the control of local expenditures. The best men
should be selected for those positions. He refers
to the reckless voting of bonds, in former years,
as the principal cause of high local taxes.
He recommends thorough revision of the tax
laws, and refers TO the evils arising ont of the
law for the sem-annual payment of taxes.
He recommends additional safeguards and
checks upon the Treasury, by means of which
frauds may be rendered impossible. He also
very sensibly recommends that the salary OF
State Treasurer be increased to an amount which
will Justify an honest and competent man to
take it, and assume the heavy responsibilities
belonging to it.
He refers to the school bond fraud, and sug-
gests changes in the law relative to the invest
ment of the permanent school fund.
The public institutions are in good condition.
Forty pupils are in attendance at the Blind Asy-
lun, and there is an unexpended balance on
hand of the last appropriation. The number of
patients at the Insane Asylum is ITO, at a less
cost per patient than in any similar institution
in the country. Additional buildings are neces-
sary, when it is thought the number of patients
will be increased to 200, many applications
have to be refused, for want of room. The new
Asylum at Topeka is under way. The manage
ment of the Penifentiary is reported To be excel
lent. Instead of the lisual deficiency there is
this year balance on hand of s9,5O3.l6. There
are 379 prisoners in the peuitentiary. The Gov
ernor mentions the fact that many of the prison.
ers are under 20 years of age, and thinks it a
hardship that persons so Young should be kept
under The same roof with the most hardened
criminals. lie earnestly calls for a remedy.
What The peculiar evil is, the Governor fails to
show. The treatment of prisoners is Wholesome
and humane. Thrre are certain trades to which
Persons ate placed, and every one has a right Ia
chonsc The trade that suits him best They arr
n taI ,,f
and therefore it is impossible for one to know
how hardened another is, or to even know his
name, unless he knew it before going there. II
is difficult 10 where the hardship OF The con-
tamination comes in. The greatest hardship is
being placed there at all; but even the Govern
or wOuld scarcely recommend dispensing with |
this.
Educational interests are reported to be in a |
prosperous condition.
He calls attention to additional Constitutions al |
amendments necessary TO render those adopted |
at the last election operative; and he again rec
submitting the question of Consttu- |
tional Convention to the people. 1t must come
to this or later; and the sooner it is done,
the more the State will save by it.
He recommends the reorganization of Judicial
Districts, to secure a more equitable division of
labor; and thinks the number of Districts might
be reduced.
He calls attention to the Constitutional re-
luirement for a re-apportionment of the State
for members of the Legislature.
He thinks the law for the organization of new
Counties should be carefully amended
That inevitable 500 900 acres of land receives
ome attention.
He recommends that complete list of County
'fcers should be kept in the Office of the Secre-
ary of State This would facilitate the detec-
ion of bond frauds.
he asks for positive law on the subject of
apital punishment. The law as it exists at
'resent, is sn6terfuge, and he wants it to de-
ide in favor of or against the death penalty The
aw is fraud, and the man that framed it mer-
is the death penalty. {
The Insurance Department is reported to be in I
healthy condition.
He c"mes up to the spirit of the age, by rec
judicious law for the protection of 1
iris.
FINALLY, he recommends an appropriation of
<5,OOO TO erect building at Philadelphia for
&c display Of Kansas products at the Centen-
ial, and their transportation thither.