The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-01-23
Governors Message.
To the Legislature:

Kansas. during the two years inter
vcning since your last session, has en-
joyed a degree of prosperity without a
parallel, during the same period, in any
of the States of the Union. The popu-
lation of the State has increased at the
rate of one hundred thousand per an
mum: the labor of the husbaDdman has
been rewarded with abundant harvests
the facilities for transportation have
been greatly increased; our manufac-
turing interests are in an encouraging
condition the mineral resources of the
State have been rapidly developed; civ
ilization has planted itself on the west
ern frontier. where but few years ago,
were found only the broad. fertile prai-
ries, which are now populated by a class
of citizens whose school-houses. church
cs, thriving towns, and well-cultivated
farms furnish abundant evidence of
their intelligence. industry, enterprise,
and progressive spirit.
Business enterprises have revived aud
increased. and to-day Kansas, Young in
years, but strong in natural resources.
with an industrious, intelligent popula-
ton of 100000 people, located near the
TO be the commercial. centre of the Uni
ted States, prOfiting by the lessons
learned through past reverses and hard
ships necessarily incident topioneer life,
looks to the future, full of hope and
promise for the prosperity and happi-
ness of her people.
regret the existence of the fact that
during the months of September and
October a band of Cheyenne Indians. va
riously estimated at from 100 to 200 in
number. raided the western border of
our State. makes il my duty 10 call your
attention TO Mis- matter. and without
stopping to discuss the causes. if any
existed, that led TO this raid. il is sufii-
cicnt to be able TO state, from person.
al investigation of the facts. that no
citizen of Kansas, or any other person
within our State. gave the slightest pro-
vocation for the brutal outrages COM
mitted by this rowing band of murder
ers.
Ii is fac; no less humiliating than
true, that about twenty-five days elapsed
from the time those Indians crossed the
southern boundary of our State, until
they reached the county of Decatur. on
its northern limit: moving in their line
of maach norihward along the westesn
of the frontier settlements. making in
cursions into sparscly settled districts.
where Ahe people were wholly unable to
protect themselves. killing, rs they did.
about forty citizens. destroying and car
rving away large amounts of property.
and committing outragcs upon defense
less women and children. so brutal. hci-
nous and revolsing in their nature as TO
never be forgiven or forgotten. In de-
Ginning to discuss the effort made by our
State and National authorities to protect |
the settlers against the outragcs COM
mitted by this lawless band of savages.
| do not wish 10 be understood as cast
ing any unjust reflections upon any one. |
The duty of the hour is not so much |
10 deal with the past. but to look 10 the |
future with determination that Il rep
,tition of there outrages shall never
again occur in our State. The doors of
Kansas have been thrown open wide.
md cordial invitation extended 10 the
law-abiding people of all
portions of the civilized world 10 come
lmong us and build for themselves
ZONES. Many who have accepted this
invitation have chosen for their habita-
ion our western frontier. and il be-
ONES an imperative duty of our State
d protect the lives and property of
hese against every invasion by preda-
ory bands of lawless savagcs who at
empt or threaten to deprive them of
ither. and to administer to such bands
within our border prompt and meritcd
and delay the settlement of
II technical questions that may be inter-
osed until after the safety of the citi-
en- has been fully secured.
Section IL. of chapter Ga. of the gem
raj statutes of 1868. provides:
''That in case of instruction, invasion
r threatened invasion. the commander
,-chief may order into active service
nv company. regiment or brigade, or
rigade. or any portion of either he
lay designate. in such forms of organi-
alton as he may direct"
While section Is, of the same chapter.
rovidcs: I
THAT all expenses provided for by |
his act shall be sworn TO by the officer |
taking the same. and approved by the c
Iajor General or Brigadier General.
,rtifying that the same were incurred 4
Y els order and were necessary for the {
rvice. and the amount thereof reason 1
Die and just. and the Auditor snail au- i
i the same. and rs soon as any moneys i
e appropriated for military purposes il
e Auditor shall draw his warrant on (
e Treasurer. who shall pay the same"
Under section ii the communicable I
lief has no power TO act except in cases a
instruction. invasion or Threatened L
vasion. Experience has taught us p
nj hostile Indians do not send advance i,
uries to notify the frontiersmer either a
their coming or intent, but the first 81
'tice generally given or received is by p
cir murderous attacks upon those who al
0 unprotected and unable TO success Il
Nv defend themselves. Under section s,
II matters not what the cxlgency of
) case may require. not dollar can b
had for 0Sy purpose until the cxpen- ip
Mye HI idc6ffed and IN Spfjko- pS