Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-01-17

Ill IL SClCStich VI 70 '"ho ="
which the constitution and laws devolve upoi
nae, 1 shall appoint persons who, in my opin
ion, have the necessary qualifications, ant
whose previous good conduct shall give as
surance that they will honestly and faithful.
discharge the duties of their respective Office
In such manner that there shall be no jus
cause of complaint.
You are called upon to perform Iegislativ.
duties for more than two and a half millions
Of people. occupying a territory of more thai
| sixty-seven THOUSAND square miles, with
salubrious climate, almost every variety o
soil. producing all the grasses, grains, fruili
and vegetables in great perfection that cal
be grown 10 Il temperate climate, extensive
forests OF valuable timber, the soil undertake
with mines of coal, iron, lead, zinc and cop.
per, in vast abundance and of superior quail.
ty, beside many other valuable minerals o.
great utility in the arts and manufactures
You have nearly 5000 miles Of completed
railroads, with prospects OF large addition,
thereto. These and many other advantages
which might be enumerated, should stimulate
you to leave nothing undone on your parl
which may be proper to develop the wonder
full resources of our great and growing state.
You are assembled here, not to make a new
code of laws, but to amend such laws as time
and experience have shown to be detective
or not suited 10 the age in which we live. and
to pass sue new laws as the increase of popu-
lation. the growth of agricultural, mining
and manufacturing industries and the rapid
extension of the internal facilities for travel
and transportation make necessary. Law,
which have been found to be unwise or mex.
pedient, or not adapted to the wants or con-
ditions Of our people, and ali criminal statutes
which are practically d~isregardtd by courts,
grand and petit ~iuries, and utterly disregard
ed by the people generally. should be eithe r
modified so as 10 be justly enforced or re-
pealed, as the habitual disregard of any law
tends to lessen that respect which all citizens
should have for each and every law of the
state.
NY own opinion is that people are best gov
erned who have few laws, only those nece:-
sary, plainly expressed and vig,rou ly en-
forced. 1t will be my duty, in strict accor-
dance with the provisions of the constitution,
"uu IL SvhiltiohSC ltus w Cdu~C Ill
laws to be faithfully executed, and to imparii-
ally protect the rights of every citizen with
out distinction of race or color; and this l
will epdeavor TO do without regard TO my in
;iividual opinions a. TO the propriety OF any
particular law.
The people Of Missouri have, from the
earliest period in the history Of the state,
f..Enrpd anl 80 al.
We're passed from time to time, setting apart
moneys arising from various sources for the
purpose of establishing a permanent funi for
the support of common schools. By statutory
enactment in 1885. % per cent. of the entire
state revenue was annually set apart for the
support OF common schools. That which wa
done by Il statute in 1883 was incorporated
into the constitution of the state In 1915. In
addition to the 2, per cent. annually set apart.
Missouri has permanently invested in bonds,
state, county and township school funds.
amounting to nearly 500 0 900, the interest
OF which is annually collected and used for
the support of cur common schools. To in
crease the sum TO be annually expended, the
people OF the state voluntarily tax themselves
~ N"i W Nv sot1C pun
pose. Separate schools are provided for the
children Of colored citizens, by means Of
which all share alike In the benefits arising
from our excellent system of commo
schools.
The state University, located at Columbia,
together with the school OF Mines and Metal.
lurgy, located at Rolla, have liberal invest
nanfs nf q narnnapapf ,I,.rn. tor ,.nr,Iiol Co.,
their support.
The state has established three normal!
schools, lacated IN different sections of the
state, for the education of tie .eachers of our
common schools. and the Lincoln I~nsIttule ut
Jefferson CITY, the latter especially devoted
to the education OF teachers for the cosored
schools throughout the stats. which gives as
surance to the .lored citizens OF Missaur:
that the education of their children will not
be neglected.
when to these are added a large number OF
colleges, academies and schools supported by
private MEANS tie people Of Missouri are
placed In the front rank among the friends OF
Education. With such ample provisions thus
made, every child in the state, without regard
to race CT color, may acquire u common
schoO! education.
Financially, Missouri SAND, ar,cng the
foremost states composing the federal uYicn,
Under the provisions of the present constita-
ton the debt O. the atIte is diminishin. from
year 70 year, and the Counties. elite. and
towns are also rapid y llquidating their ii bis;
and beng forbidden by the fundamental iaY
of the land TO contract new debts. The DAY
is not far distant when 3 new impetus will be
gwen 20 the material prosperity of the state:
the citiaeD- viii not be taxed annually to pay
interest. aud the:. egti-e earnings can be
devoted to in :r~e8sina Ileir GEp cgI1:cHs.und
aiding in developing lie h,dd:G realgr.ea CT
the state.
u conclusion permit me- 10 >ay tii1t it viii
ne IA; tQty A. we'll u my pleasure. to Coop
CRAZE with YOU a. @ti measures that will re.
dound 10 the advantage. Rid Erq-.ofe the lie I
interest of our great aud growing state. anc
1t viii be my pleasure 10 communicate 10 you
n! views it3m time 10 time OH questions
which aaect Tie public welfare.
-s-a-s