The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1888-01-12

Following are the salient points in Governor
Duckncr's first message;
When the last General Assembly convened In
1885, the receipts OF the Treasury. rs reported
~ my predecessor, were insufficient IN meet
the demands made upon II by existing appro-
priatlous This result had been brought about |
chiefly hya defective system OF assessments
and collections, under the operations OF which |
great Inequalities prevailed in the valuations OF
property reported for taxation, while consid' |
cradle part OF the taxable property OF the STATE |
did not appear on the books OF the assessors |
II was evident to the General Assembly tnat
persistence In so vicious system OF ASSESS
meDt would not only result in manifest mus
ticc 10 individuals, By imposing an undue pro
portion of the burdens OF government upon
those least able TO bear them, but wouia aiso'
by diminishing the revenue and thus increasing
the annual de fcits, result disaslroasy 10 tne
credit OF the Commonwealth.
TO meet the demands OF the people for pet-
ter system, they wisely enacted the present
revenue law. Under its operation, the auuitor
report shows that, instead OF dehcit, tnere
was balance in the Treasury, on June ", 1885,
of s191 esLSS After deducting the ORDINARY eA
penscs OF the Government, including the Lesis-
iatiye c-pcnscs he estimates n balance JuneR'
1898, of s57 $3.50 and on June 30, 1883. oil t<Yr-
$500 This favorable showing is the result Oh
more equitable assessment and more prompt
collection OF the revenue.
/
Auditor for reducing the extraordinary ana
seemingly unnecessary expenses imposed upon
the State for criminal prosecutions, reooru
booi1s and idiots would suggest IN ADDITION,
further restrictive legislation on the suolect Oh
unnecessary guards for prisoners, leaving 10 the
Auditor a large discretion in rejecting unneces-
sary claims for imaginary services.
And. as there is reason TO believe that, in
many instances the percentage OF fines allotted
l,y law to prosecuting and collecting omcers Is
collected without being accounted for, II Is re-
commended that all fines when couecteu,
be paid imme diately into the state
Treasury through the proper channels, and that
the officers entitled by law to percentage re-
ceive their proportion OF the amount coilee'eu
only by awarrant from the Auditor
recent decision OF the Court OF Appeals has
declared unconstitutional an act passed py q
preceding Legislature, exempting the Board OF
Trade building in Louisville from taxation.
other acts involving the same principle are on
the statute books 1t is recommended that you
carefully revise all such laws which, by exemp-
lion from taxation, indirectly appropriate inc
money OF the people Of the State TO support In
dividual or local interests. -
Your attention lie called TO the propriety OF
thorough revision Of the criminal and pena
laws OF the State. II II should not be deemet
proper 10 consider this subject in its fullest ex
tent II Is recommended that additional penal
ties be affixed TO the crime OF attempting 10 as
sassinate from ambush, even though the az
tempt should altogether fail. Crime OF thi
character should be punished with exceptions
severity because 1t is species OF danger tina
can not be foreseen nor guarded against IL
also recommended that the crime OF burglary
especially when accompanied by arson enhar
pcrlnR life, should be visited by the severes
nenalfics; and that you clearly define by sta
ute the character and degree OF criminal 0
lenses which WIN justify the courts IN granun
bail.
Attempts have been made by your predece
fnrs to check the evils attending the empio
ncnt Of money in controlling elections; but
Is 10 be regretted that, Notwithstanding exis
ing legislation on this subject the evil has
ready attained magnitude which seriously e
dangers the interests of society. Not only a
corrupt practices employed in the choice OIL ca
didatcs for political and municipal oihces
IL seems certain that Judicial elections are co
Quoted with equal disregard OF laws al
when It is considered that there is but one ST
between the purchase OF judicial position al
tho sale OF justice, the people may well desps
OF the proper administration OF the laws und
sovicious system OF election as is so often pi
sued. Unless these evils are checked, the
cnues to promotion in public life will be effect
ally closed to virtuous and intelligent poyer
and left open only TO the immorally wealthy W
can buy position, and 10 the corrupt who
sell the rights Of free man to aggregated
incorporated wealth.
The subject demands your serious conslue
ton and IL is believed that you can apply
efficient corrective 10 this increasing evil, j
Us your predecessors succeeded In enectua
closing the public gambling houses, whose
istence was attended with SO many evils. IL
submitted TO your consideration that
present laws on the subject OF bribery AT el
flons arc framed on false theory AS
tcmnter should be considered more guilty u
the party who IS tempted, so he who onei
Lfibe should be punished more severely u
one who receives Il; but existing laws INF
the lighter penalty on the more guilty party.
There is reason TO believe that the laws
this subject arc more nearly imperative AZ IN
points where there is most need OF their
fcrccment The blame for this can not att
20 the judicial officers OF the State; for In u
charges to the grand iuries, attention is es
cially called 10 this subject
In order that you may be fully advised OF
extent Of public corruption in this respect j
commend that thorough examination pc ma
on the scenes OF their occurrence, by the :
er,,l Assembly, into the practices which n
been pursued at some OF our elections 1
wisdom will then mere readily apply
remedies necessary TO correct this grow
evil.
Considering the methods employed by the
ferent political parties for nominating y
candidates. II is but just 10 the public TO 81
10 primary elections nominating con
tions. as is done IN some ather States, the 81
laws in regard 10 bribery that govern the
tons appointed by the authority OF the Z
rnonwealth The penalties OF the law IL Is
lieycd. should apply with equal force TO col
nations or conspirncies Of persons formed
the purpose OF violating the laws aga
bribery.
Ihave cndeavored TO exercise with discre
the power conflded TO the executive oil gran
pardons. To reach an intelligent conclusio
rerard TO the merits OF petitions, further Il
ADDlCltiOnS
ency are almost invariably OK parte staterns
seldom giving the facts which were prove
the case and very often arc nisrcpresentat
Investigation shows that vast malorit
them are devoid of merit, yet their consit
tion occupies very large proportion OF the
OF the executive.
THAT Imay be Just, alike 10 the public an
,ftyiduals IL has been my custom In dou
cases to apply 10 the proper Officers OF the
ernment for the facts as shown by testiu
While no legation OF duty rests upon inc
comuly with my request have been mae
~ their courtesy for valuable informati'
many cases that have been submitted TO "
l.. order 10 ennbe the executive TO obtai
formation on which he can act with inteii
regard for the public interests, l recoml
the enactment Of law which VIII make !
d,,fv OF the prosecuting attorney TO furni
-ha Acknowledgement or to the executive,
reonested so to do. full statement OF the
which we're established At tho trial.
rhc report OF the Kailroad Commissi
will show you the Importance OF the duties
Have discharged and the necessity LOT ~
,sr,a,ce OF the onice. Il appears from
s.sc,nents that there arc now In operat
e,a,c e8l1 90 miles OF railway;
.,.ere have been constructed durinl
sear esfa miles, and that the total
~ these -opds was Ioois'ssu Z
fo,al assesscd value Of me ranroaa ~
.1.e,,,,fs 10 SIS, 81 1911, being an increas
p'i'ou.t, + - ~ the prevlous year Of