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

hauled ono mile during Tho fiscal year ending
Juno 30, 1886, exceeded that Of tho previous
rear 1O6, 669, 99S tons, while the freight earn
imgs for the fiscal year ending June 30. 1885,
1884, of s., Ii, 1853 The saving to the people
If the state by the reductions in freight
rates, secured chiefly by the board Of rail-
road commissioners, aggregates, for the us
al year ending June 30, 1885, over $780,
20. The suggestions and recommendations
embodied in the report of the commits
loners are worthy of your considerate atten-
ion.
KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD.
Under the provision of an act passed at
your last session, the Kansas National
guard, comprising four regiments of eight
companies each, has been organized, uni
formed, supplied with camp and garrison
squipage and armed with breechloading
rides of the latest and best pattern. The
guard held its first encampment in Septem-
Der last, at the capital. Its appearance, drill
md discipline we're highly complimented by
all who visited its camp, and by none more
soldiers who were at the same time holding
their annual state reunion. The Kansas
National guard is composed of excellent
material. Many of its officers are exper-
fenced soldiers, and its younger members
are fair types of the men, who, quarter of
century ago, flocked around the flag of
their country with such unparalleled enthu-
siasm and devotion, and filled the world
With the glory of their achievements. An
should, believe, be encouraged, and COM
mend the Kansas National guards as worthy
of your generous support.
cTArp ApMa
In 1876 the secretary of war was authorized
by act OF congress to issue to certain western
states, including Kansas, one thousand stand
Of arms each. The governors of the states
named in the act were required to execute
bond to the general government, condi-
toned that the arms should be returned
when required. In the absence of any law
authorizing such bond, the then governor of
the state, Honorable Thomas A. Osborne,
executed personal bond, conditioned as
above set forth. The arms received from
the United States have never been returned.
Governor Osborne should be relieved of the
responsibility he assumed, by the passage of
an act ratifying his action in receiving the
arms for the state, and giving bond therefor.
TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION.
The general working of the amended pro-
hibitory law of last winter has been favora-
ole. Organized opposition to the law is fast
disappearing, and the general and
popular feeling is positively and de-
cidedly in favor of obedience to the con-
stitution as amended. Not only the supreme
court, but all of the judges of the district
courts of the state, and the judge of the
United States court for this circuit, are in
favor of allowing the people of Kansas to
regulate their own domestic affairs in their
own way, Thus all agencies have worked
together, during the year, in behalf of law,
order and practical temperance, and Kansas
has made a greater moral progress than in
any other twelve months of her eventful and
noble history. On the first day of January,
1885, saloons were open in twenty or thirty
towns and cities of the state. year later
the open saloon had been banished from
every town and city of Kansas, with pos
sibly two exceptions, and in these active and
determined legal efforts for its suppression
have been instituted.
There are some defects in the new law.
The fees of probate judges for the duties
they are called upon to perform, should be
defined, and the power conferred
upon these officers, to grant Or refuse licenses
to druggists, should be subject to review by
the district judges. The authority now vested
in probate Judges, in this regard, is arbitrary,
and may be abused. to the detriment of the
public or of individual citizens. But the
has been so favorable, and the result aimed
It has been so nearly accomplished. that it
would, in my Judgment, be unwise to make
my general or radical changes in its provis-
ons.
The material progress of Kansas has been
from the beginning, but we have
,reater reasons for taking pride in her moral
riumphs. The excellence of her soil and
climate, and her central national position,
ire fortunate facts, Independent of human
agency or control; but for the moral and in
he laws, and the institutions and regula.
ions they establish, are largely responsible.
Mr.. Seward declared twenty-six years ago,
hat Kansas was the most virtuous state be-
,ause she had made thu most effective re-
istance to organized de spotic power. "You
re-" he said, in speech delivered ut Law
ence, in 1860, ''the poorest in wealth, the
east favored in political power, and yet you
re the most inhexible, the most constant
Before this people bow myself, as
nave never done before to any people, in
tude and affection. Henceforth,
hese shall not be my sentiments alone, but
he sentiments of all. Men will come up to
Kansas as they go up to Jerusalem" We
hall be still more worthy of this ecOmium
# the departed statesman, if the people of |
Kansas become the most sober and temper
tie of any on the face of the globe, and thus
.ain the approval of the Divine Ruler of the
Universe, and attract to our hospitable |
boundaries the best and most intelligent |
,eople of every land.
I firmly believe this happy contamination |
s approaching a realization. Steadily and |
urely intemperance is decreasing in Kansas, |
thinking habits are giving place to sobriety, |
md public sentiment is deepening and |
in favor of wholesome and |
PRACTICAL laws to extirpate the open saloon,
nd the vice, the crime, the poverty. the suf-
ering and the sorrow of which it is the |
ruitful source.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
The growth of Kansas during the past year
as been unexampled in the history of Amer |
can commonwealth. An immense immi- |
ration has poured into our borders, and
pread over every section of the state, from
he Missouri to the Colorado line. Regions
hat, only few years ago, were regarded
wen by our oldest citizens as unfit for agri-
cultural pursuits, have been occupied, and
arabic and fertile. Railroads
ire penetrating every section, and within a |
,rief time it can be said that no county in
Kansas is without facilities for the transport |
alton of its products to the markets of the |
country. Mechanical industries, giving en-
,loyment to labor, and utilizing our natural
ssources, are being established in our prin-
ipal cities and towns, and the commercial
nd agricultural prosperity of the state
Justly excites the pride of our own
itizens, and challenges the adj
niration of other states and peoples:
Education has gone hand in hand
Nth this marvellous material Development,
nd the blessings of temperance have sup
'lemented the benefcient results of peace,
Industry and intelligence. Thus, energy,
obrietv and education have all exerted their /