Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-09-25

and now, perhaps, nearly $20,OO0,OO0.
cited the fact that while our state debt was
very small, the debts of its local sub-divis-
Ions we're enormous, and earnestly urged
the passage of a law limiting and restricting
the debt creating and tax levying authority
of counties, cities, townships and school dis
tricts, to the end that the tax burdens of the
people might be reduced.
Second-I urged a thorough revision of
our laws touching the assessment and
equalization of taxes, SO as to secure, if pos
sible, uniform values and material reduc-
ton of the percentage of taxation.
Third-I recommended reforms in our
laws for the disposition of school lands, call.
ing attention to the defects and shameful
abuses of our present system, and urging
that stringent legislation should be adopted
TO protect the school domain of the state
from despoilation by spectators.
Fourth urged radical changes in our
present system of managing the state CHART
able institutions, SO that the vast sums of
money annually expended for public chart
ties should be disbursed under systematic,
intelligent and codstant supervision, with a
rigid accountability.
Fifth earnestly recommended such
changes in our insurance laws as were nee
essary to protect our citizens against wrongs
and abuses clearly pointed out.
SIXTH recommended important modif-
cations in our present railroad law, and
urged that railway corporations should be
able them to pay large dividends and inter-
est on stock and bonds issued in amount
double or three times the cost of the con-
struction of their roads.
SEVENTH urged thorough revision of
our laws concerning public highways, call
ing attention to the fact that the present sys-
tenn of making and improving country roads
uuos not oplv atoful and uninsf in oporo
ton, but unsatisfactory in its results.
Eighth urged the necessity of protect
ing our vast stock interests against loss or
damage from contagious diseases, or from
the introduction of Texas cattle.
NINTH recommended a revision and
codifcation of the entire body of our laws,
suggesting that this work would enormously
reduce the expense, delay and perplexities Of
litigation in our courts.
Tenth-I urged revision of the fee bills
of many local officers, 80 that all might
clearly understand how much the law al
lowed for such services as officers are re-
Quired to perform.
Eleventh. advised repeal of our cow
ardly law which abolishes the death penalty
by indirection.
TWELFTH recommended reduction of
the legal rates of interest from per cent, or
not to exceed II per cent by special contract
to per cent, or not to exceed 10 per cent by
special contract.
Thirteenth-I urged the creation of a
state board of pardons, so that the gov
ernor, in exercising the gravest re-
sponsibility vested in him by the
constitution, should have the benefit of the
advice and counsel of tribunal charged
with the duty of investigating the facts and
reasons urged for a pardon.
Fourteenth called attention to serious
defects in the crimes act, and the law regu-
lating the assessments of improvements by
occupying claimants.
Fifteenth urged complete enrolment of
the soldiers of the state, and record of that
union soldiers might, on application to the
adjutant general, ascertain the postofice ad-
dress of surviving comrades, whose testimo-
ny was necessary to establish just pensions
claims.
In my second message, renewed the rec
concentrations made touching all those sub
jects that had failed to receive legislative at
tention, and added the following additional
recommendations:
First-The passage of law providing reg
ulations to govern the arbitration of dis
putes between employers and employees. /
stated that such law was, in my judgment,
vitality important to the prosperity and hap
piness alike of employers and employed, as
well as to the peace and order of civil soci-
ETY..
Second-In view of the fact that
the state debt aggregated only $685.
600, of which amount only $780,
Coo was held by individuals or
corporations, l urged that it was neither wise
nor just to impose upon the present genera
ton of tax payers the burden of paying our
outstanding bonds on their majority; that
our bonds could readily be refunded at not
to exceed 81 or per cent: that the present
is paying for public buildings future gener-
ations will occupy, and that the future
should provide fof the payment of out
standing bonds.
Third recommended that constitution
al amendment should be submitted, striking
the word white" from section one, of arti-
Gle eight, of our organic law. This limita-
ton prevents colored men from serving in
the militia. During the civil war the COL
ored troops demonstrated the courage and
patriotism of their race. and it should be. not
their right alone, but their duty, to bear
arms in any emergency calling for a miiitar
force
FOURTH suggested that the legislature
should demand the establishment OF military
posts along our southwestern frontier, in
order to protect our borders against Indian
raids and give our citizens full assurance of
protection.
Fifth urged that Memorial day be made
leRdl
Several of the recommendations thus made
were favorably acted on by the legislature,
and laws TO carry all these suggestions into
practical effect were introduced. Experiences
in the duties Of the executive Office, and
closer observation of the practical workings
of our laws and institutions, and of the needs
of the people, have only confirmed and
strengthened the opinions l expressed touch
ing all these questions; and if am collected
shall regard it as a solemn duty to again
urge favorable Legislative action upon all the
interests and subjects have thus enumerated
and discussed. Every recommendation made
in either message was, 1 believe, practical
aud just; and am Convinced that affirmative
action by the legislature, touching one and
all of these questions, would not only pro-
mote the best interests of tie people, but be
earnestly approved by them.
LAWS ENACTED IN 1885 AND 1886.
It has also given me sincere satisfaction,
since assuming the duties of the executive
Office, to approve a number of measures
which mark decided reform in the conduct
of stste affairs and the administration of
justice. Some of these I deem il proper
to briefly mention.
First-A bureau of labor and industrial
statistics has been established, charged with
the duty of collecting information relatins
TO the commercial, industrial, social, educa-
tonal and sanitary condition of the labor
ing classes, with q view of furnishing sug-