Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1885-01-22

derstoOd, at as early day As practicable.
recommend the reference of the ques-
ton 10 the Attorney General for the
suggestion of such action as shall be
thought proper.
THE AMENDMENT OF 1880.
At the general election in 1880 the
people of this State, acting in their SOW
ereign capacity, adopted an amendment
to the Constitution prohibiting the man
ufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors,
except for medical, mechanical and SCI.
enti6c purposes. The Legislature OF
1881 enacted a law to enforce this consti-
rutional provision.
1t is the duty of the Executive to carry
out the will of the people expressed in
the laws given him by the representa-
tives of the people. Upon you, gentle
men of the Legislature, devolves the duty
of making the desire of the people ef-
fective. Keeping in mind the provision
of the Constitution, it is in your power,
it is your right, to amend the present
law, or to repeal it and make another.
No statute ever framed was perfect. Law
is subject of constant revision. If the
present law does not accomplish the re-
suits desired and expected, you are &C.
Quainted with the reasons, and it is your
duty to so amend it as to make it what
the people, by their votes, have said they
wish it to be. The questions involved
are not partisan questions, and should
not be treated as such. The law enacted
to give vitality to the prohibition amend
ment should be like those for the en-.
forcement of any other provisions of our
Constitution, as brief, simple and direct
as possible. AS rule, laws are effective
just in proportion as they are simple and
direct. With the experience Of the past
to guide you, you should be able to frame
an act that will avoid the faults and sup
ply the deficiencies of the existing
statute.
l would suggest that those provisions
Of the present law relating to physicians
and druggists do not seem to be in har-
mony with the purpose of the Constitu-
tional amendment itself, as they impose
unreasonable and obnoxious restrictions
on the manufacture and sale of liquors
for the very purposes recognized by the
amendment as legitimate. The people of
the State, in adopting the amendment Of
1880, did not, in my Judgment, intend to
annoy or embarrass the members Of an
honored and honorable profession, nor
those engaged in a reputable business,
with vexatious restrictions, bonds, oaths,
and forms. To repeal these provisions
would strengthen, not weaken, the law,
and preserve still its purpose.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
A letter from the National Board of
Health advises me that the presence of
Asiatic Cholera in epidemic form, in
Europe, is y constant menace to the peO-
pie of this country; that this dread
disease has pressed steadily westward
during the past two years; and that grave
are entertained of its ap-
pearance in this country. 1t is, there
fore, urged by the National Board that
the Legislatures of the several States
adopt measures whereby the most
th borough sanitary service, Stale and
local, may be Immediately organized.
The Kansas State Medical Society will
present memorial asking the passage of
an act for the organization of State
Board of Health. Such a body, properly
might be Of importantservice,
in the event of the appearance
of cholera. The preservation and i'm
provement CT the public health is, how
ever, at all times a matter of grave con-
Germ. and suggestions having such a pur-
pose in view should receive your con-
siderate attention.
THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE.
This is useful organization, main
tanned at no expense to the State except
the courtesy of having its reports pub
lished as a part Of the biennial report of
the State Board of Agriculture.
The Society will present, for your con-
sideratiOn and action, the question of
for thorough geological sur
vey of the State. 1t is urged that, in
view of the rapid settlement Of Kansas,
this work is necessity; that in other
States such surveys have revealed ma
terial resources which have added large
ly to the outlets for the useful employ
ment of labor and capital; and that the
value of the knowledge disseminated by
the reports of such surveys, in prevent
ing useless expenditures of capital in
visionary enterprises, is equally great. It
should not be forgotten, however, that a
survey of this character, if properly con-
Quoted, will be very expensive; and that
if it is not thoroughly prosecuted, by the
most competent men, it is worthless.
SORGHUM SUGAR INDUSTRY.
E. B. Cowgirl, Esq, the agent of the
United States Department of Agricul-
Iure, for the collection of information
the Sorghum industry of
Kansas, has sent me report concerning
his industry. There are now three
sugar factories in the State, located at
Sterling, Hutchinson and Ottawa, and
they produced, last year, 100000 pounds
IF sugar and 155.5O0 gallons of syrup.
This product was manufactured from
1890 tons of sorghum cane. The quail
ty of the sugar is identical in compost
ion with Louisiana sugar. Either of
he three factories will, it is stated, be
able, after some Improvements, to turn
'ut annually a product of one million
pounds of sugar. 1t is urged, by num-
Der of citizens, that the State should en-
courage this industry, and call your at
'ention to their suggestion. I have not
,een able to give the subject such inves-
igation as would justify me in making
my recommendation concerning it.
STATE AGENT.
Hon. S. ]. Crawford, the States agent
It Washington, appointed in pursuance
It an act of the Legislature approved
March Sd, 1877, submits full report of
lis actions in the matter of certain
laims of the State against the United
'tates. He has discharged the import
mt duties confded to him with zeal, en-
-