Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-01-23
TIE r1vr-srocK cosnnsuox.

The livestock sanitary commission has
submitted a full report, which, in accor-
dance with the requirements of section l,
| chapter 2, session laws of 1884, has been re-
ferred to the secretary of the state board of
/! agriculture.
! During the past year The duties of this
| commission, and of the state veterinary sur
geon, have been arduous and exacting.
| Early in the summer, an outbreak of pleuro-
| pneumonia amcng cattle in several adjoin-
ing states called for prompt and energetic
measures to protect the stock of Kansas
| against the danger of contagion, and, later,
equally active and decisive action was re-
| quired to prevent the driving into or through
the state, of Texas cattle, in violation of the
provisions of chapter 191, laws of 1885.
Rigid quarantine regulations were enforced,
and no contagious or infectious diseases
| have been reported, during the year, among
the cattle of Kansas.
A very destructive epidemic of so-called
''hog cholera" has, however, prevailed in
many counties in the state, resulting IN ser
ious losses to our farmers. 1t IS estimated
that the direct losses resulting from this
outbreak of swine plague aggregate fully
two million dollars, and the indirect damage
to much larger sum. Your attention is
directed to the suggestions and recommen-
dations of the livestock sanitary commits
sion and state veterinarian, touching this
subject
GENERAL LEGISLATION.
These are the subjects demanding imme-
date legislative action, for the consideration
of which 1 have convened your honorable
body in special session. Perhaps the inter
ests of many communities demand the en-
actment, at this time, of laws having local
scope and it may be that practical experience
has suggested needed changes in, or modif-
cations of, a few general laws. But, in my
iud yment, the interests of the state do not
demand, and public sentiment will not ap-
prove, many changes in orr statutory laws
at this session. In adopting the constltu-
tional amendment for biennial meetings OF
the Legislature, the people of Kansas gave
emphatic expression to their preference for
greater permanence and stability in statu-
tory enactments. Frequent changes in the
laws not only confuse the public mind, but
inspire a lack of respect for law. And this
is especially true when such changes affect
the general course of procedure in courts,
or establish new principles or methods which
necessarily have to be settled by line of
Judicial interpretations and decisions. Pend
ing these, uncertainty is created, the admin
istration of justice is delayed, and public
sentiment is demoraliZed. The American
people are law-respecting and law-obeying,
and when the courts have fully and fairly
defined the directions and limitations of any
law, and the methods Of its enforcement,
they quickly adjust themselves to its require
ments. But if laws are subject to frequent
and whimsical notifications and changes,
the public understanding of their policy and
scope is confused and uncertain, and public
respect for their requirements is vitiated.
l have, therefore, no recommendations
to make looking to the ena :tment
or repeal of statutory laws. I do not
forget, however, that you, gentlemen of
the legislature, are alone charged with the
duty of making laws. and that you alone
must decide whether any real necessity exists
for general legislation at this session. You
come direct from the homes of the people,
and should understand their wishes. And if
You decide to engage in general legislation
at this session, wish to renew the recon-
mendations made in my first message,
touching municipal debt and taxation, the
assessment and equalization of property
values, the state school lands, the secre-
tary of the state charitable institutions,
the stipulations and conditions of in
surance policies, the revision and coidiica-
ton of our laws, capital punishment, rates
or laws, capital punishment, rates
OF interest, Improvements by occupying
claimants, and the registry law. My obser-
Walton and experience, since assuming the
duties of the executive Office, have only con-
fr1ned and Strengthened the views have ex-
pressed on these questions, none of which
were made the subject of legislati- action
at your last session.
THE PRICE RAID AND OTHER CLAIMS.
The Price-raid commission, and the com
mission relating to invasions of guerillas
and marauders," will submit, for your con-
sideration, such reports as they are able to
present. l reiterate the opinion expressed
in my former message to your honorable
BODY, that the state is morally bound to
make good the amount of $21, S72.23, which,
as trustee for certain Price-raid claimants, it
received from the United States, in 1872, and
which the then state treasurer paid to per-
sons whose claims were rejected by the
United States commission.
In this connection, l respectfully suggest
to the legislature that it is not Just to de-
volye upon the state officers or any number
of them, the labor and responsibility of au-
dlting such claims as those growing out of
the Price and Quantrell raids. In 1868 a
joint committee of the senate and house of
representatives, appointed to investigate the
action of several commissions to audit the
Price-raid claims, submitted report, in
which it was said:
mo greater mistake could be made, in the
Judgment of your committee, than to have state
officers compose this board of examiners, either
IN whole or in part. 1t would be unjust to i'm
pose extra duties, not required by law or expedi-
ency, without pay. and if they are to be paid,
other citizens can better attend to the discharge
of sncb difficult Iabors, without detriment to the
prbiic service"
This opinion, expressed in 1868, has far
more weight at the present time. The pop
ulation of the state at that date did not ex-
iced 300, 900; it is now fully 1,35O,OOO. The
labors of every department of the state gov
have been increased fully fourfold,
and the state officers cannot possibly find
time for the proper discharge of such deli
cate, laborious and responsible duties as are
now involved in the examination of claims |
of this character, aggregating millions of |
collars. To fairly and justly audit, classify, |
and support by proper evidence such mass |
Of claims as are now on file, and to review |
and systematic the awards made by the nu-
nerous commissions of the past twenty
years, would require months of patient, |
work, involving vast amount |
Of clerical labor. And this work it is i'm
possible for the state officers, with due re-
gard for their other duties, to properly per-
eoru.
REPORTS FROM STATE INSTITUTIONS.
Our laws require only biennial reports from
he boards and officers charged with the SUI
)ervision or management of the educational.
charitable and penal institutions of the
tate. But in view of the special session of
7our honorable body, deemed it proper to
all for brief reports from several of these
to the end that you might be adj
Used of their condition and needs. These
eports are herewith submitted.
THE STATE PENITENTIARY.
The directors and warden of the peniten-
larry report that institution in excellent con-
lition. Its discipline is well maintained,
he health of the prisoners is good, many
'aluable improvements have recently been
completed, and the financial statement of its
eceipts and expenditures shows not only