Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-01-26
KANSAS.
FIRST MESSAGE

OfLyman II. Humphrey. Governor, to the
Legislature of Kansas Delivered
January 1889, in the
Senate Chamber,
10 the Legislatures:
The provisions OF the constitution hx the sec.
ond Monday in January as the commencement
OF the executive term. and the second Tuesday in
January as the day on which the Legislature
shall convene n regular session; contenplatine
that the two events shall always occur on con-
secutive days. By reason OF an exceptional and
UNFORESEEN condition Of things, the order Of the
you have been in session six days. The duty
also enjoined by the Constitution upon the Ex-
e0utive at the commencement of each session to
communicate information and recommend such
measures as he may deem e1pedient, has been
performed by my immediate predecessor, whose
term expired but yesterday.
like conditions in the States history. The Incl
dent OF dates occurred in 1861, hut tho Governor
then elect was his own successor, and in 1885 q
condition simiiar to the present viii exist unless
the then Governor shall succeed himself. This
unanticipated state of affairs is suggestive of the
need OF constitutional revision, and prompts the
inquiry, whether it would not be well to provide
BY law that the outgoing Governor shall, in all
cases, prepare nd l. ave with his successor. to be
dehv red to the Legislature. u essage reviewing
the condition of slate affairs since the last pr.
suggestions and recommendations as be may
deem expedient. Bis experience necessarily
gives him fgmiiaIit y with the various interests
OF the Commonwealth, and accurate knowledge
OF the condition and business requirements of its
Institutions and thoroughness of information in
all matters of public concern. This information
early as possible after its organization. and it
would seem appropriate to devolve the duty upon
the retiring Governor. For this practice we
have Q precedent in the valuable retiring message
Of my distinguished Predecessor, Governor
George I. Anthony, transmitted to the Legisla-
ture On the 18th day OF January. 1879, by his
cessor-a precedent that should have the sanction
Of law.
As stated, this duty has been performed by my
immediate predecessor In his message delivered
every topic and EN- bracing every subject of in
tereet 30 far as relates to the business affairs of
the State, including the transmittal of the re-
ports = stare and department officers, and the
boards in charge of the several institutions; to-
8 ther with many suggestions and recommends
tions touching future legislation. based upon an
experience covering the four years of his incum-
hency. These suggestions and recOmm endatiOns
commend to your careful consideration.
Under these circumstance I I. ell to a great
measure relieved OF the burden involved in the
siye review of the affairs of the State as would
otherwise be demanded by the occasion, and it
has besn question not free from doubt in my
gether from intrudinR upon you at this time.
Bot having been chosen at the same time and
sharing with you the responsibilities of legislation
Issan and d being n4Sa to
whstever may promote the general welfare. /
have deemed it my right and duty to supplsr emit
the message already communicated to you.
briefly reviewing, by way of approval, without
repeating, the Recommendations therein con
tanned which seem wo thy of emphasis, adding
In general way. such suggestions and advice
have occurred to me in the brief time allowed
since the delivery Of the former message.
CONGRATULATIONS.
daily as body, and individually without excep-
tiOn, the result of the late election, which re-
stores to power in National administration the
Kansas. The determination of the issues in
volved In the election of Harrison and Morton
has not only broken the power of sectionaIism,
but has settled the policy OF the government for
tions, protection to American labor and
American, industries. :. justics, to- those
flag and the integrity OF the union, q foreign
policy that shall be jealous of the honor and con-
sistent with the dignity and power of the Nation,
henceforth to be governed in peace BY those who
proper subject Of coneratuation, b cause it's
eignihcance is not partisan but patr otto, point
Ing, a. 1t does, to settled industrial policy in
National affaiis. that shall quicken the business
impulses of the whole country with q renewed
prosperity. of which the south and the west
shall be the first to feel the talismanic touch.
reason, of the fact that in your body. in both
bfanche.. the dominant party of Kansas has
practically an unanimous voice, and because of
this an Spdivaed IesspGns6y testing IpHn
the many and varied concerns OF q great state.
Bearing this ever in mind; coming, as you do,
fresh from the people; understanding, as you do,
their wants; remembering the questions dis
cussed in the ca vass and the promiees made on
the faith OF which the people 30 generously gave
you their suffrages, in all matters both OF local
nv>rls Il &ara 80 lot
Seu will permit the full measure Of popular con-
fdence repased in you to be exceeded only by
your diligence in the conscientious discharge of
therefore briefly call your attention to such
promises rs we're SO made in the late CAMPAIGN,
believing that you will make haste to vitAlize
each and every one By necessary and proper leg
PLATFORM PROMISES.
1st A continuance of the policy that has been
conspicuous in Kansas LEGISLATION, friendly to
the interests of wage-workers and laborers gen.
sssiS. ana the further RfStection OF labor
degrade or injure it by mere cheapnees. through
unfair competition or any kind Of Oppression
whatever.
ID. Such amendments to the present law con-
TO render it eff ectve in the protection of the in
terests OF skilled labor against unfriendly COM
petition.
Sd. Such legislation as shall secure the week
b payment of wages to employees of municipal
md private corporations.
This demand and the foregoing in regard to
apprentices, are but reasonable and in accord
With the gene al principle Of protection to labor
md elevation of the LAT oring classes. which tr-
nmphed in the recent campaign. The call for
weekly payments applies with special force to q
largo number OF our citizens whose daily labor
- employees is their only resource. On this sub.
lect attention 10 called to the several reports of
he Commissioner of Labor Statistics, especially
% the report of 1857 II viii be remembered
hat weekly.payment bill passed the House in
he lsst LeaislAturs. and only failed in the sen.
re for want Of time to consider it.: The Legis-
afuHe of Connecticut has enacted such . law,
md the testimony Of those in position to know
b to the effect that the Law IL we'll received and
respected By all partiee concerned and generally
approved By public opinion.
INTKREsr INDUCTION.
lth. legislation was promised. reducing the
|oeal rate Of interest upon money to six per cent
par annum. reducing the maximum contract |
.te to ten PET emit. prohibiting usuIy, and pro-
vicirg penalties for violations Thereof; and this
,romiee / trust may be promptly enacted into