The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-01-17
FIRST
Massage Delivered to the Kansas Leg
islature Yesterday Afternoon.
The Death Penalty should be AbOl-
Ished or made EReetiVe.-An an
EsniOus Device 20 Make the
Rwa.naaoaaw
Governor ExecuGIOner.

EeniOus Device 10 Make the
Governor ExeeuGIOner.
To THE LEGISLATURE: The provis-
ions of the constitution fix the second
Monday in January as the commence
ment of the executive term, and the
second Tuesday as the day on which
the legislature shall convene in regular
session; contemplating that the two
events shall always occur on consecu-
tive days. BY reason of an exceptional
and unforeseen condition of things, the
order of the dates thus fixed has this
year been reversed, and you have been
In session six days. The duty also en-
joined by the constitution upon the
executive at the commencement of each
session. to communicate. information
and recommend such measures as he
may deeln expedient, has been perform
ed by my Immediate predecessor, whose
term expired but yesterday.
Such an event has not occurred be-
fore under like conditions in the states
history. The incident of dates occur
red in 1867. but the governor then elect
was his own successor, and in 1895 a
condition similar to the present will
exist unless the then governor shall
succeed himself. This unalticipated
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 outgo-
ing governor shall, in all cases, prepare
and leave with his successor, to be de-
livered to the legislature. message re-
viewing the condition of state affairs
since the last preceding regular session
of that body, with such suggestions and
recommendations as he may deem ex-
pedient. Hhs experience necessarily
gives him familiarity with the various
interests of the commonwealth, and ac-
curate knowledge of the condition and
business requirements of its institu-
tions and thoroughness of information
in all matters of public concern. This
information should he communicated
to the legislature as early as possible
after its organization, and it would
seem appropriate to devolve that duty
upon the retiring governor. For this
practice we have a precedent in the val
liable retiring message of my dlstin-
guished predecessor, Governor George
L. Anthony, transmitted to the legisla-
ture on the 18th day of January, 1879,
by his successor "a precedent that
should have the sanction of law.
AS stated, this duty has been per-
formed by my immediate predecessor In
his message delivered to you on
Wednesday last; a message covering
every topic and embracing every sub
ject of interest so far as relates TO the
business affairs of the state, including
the transmittal of the reports of state
and department officers and the boards
in charge of the several institutions;
together with many suggestions and
recommendations touching future legis-
lation, based upon an experience COW
ering the four years of his incumbency.
These suggestions and recommended
tions commend to your careful con-
sideratiOn.
TTodar tbosa ciro,,noStaDoaS faal in q
great measure relieved of the burden in
volved in the duty of presenting in de-
tail such comprehensive review of the
affairs of the state as would otherwise
be demanded by the occasion, and it has
been a question not free from doubt in
my own mind whether l should not re-
frain altogether from intruding upon
you at this time.
But having been chosen at the same
time, and sharing with you the Tespon-
sibilities of legislation and government,
and being anxious, Withal, to establish
relations of cordial cooperation in
whatever may promote the general well
fare, / have deemed it my right and
duty to supplement the message al
ready communicated to you, briefly re-
viewing, by way of approval, without
repeating, the recommendations there
in contained which seem worry of en-
phasis: adding. in general way, such
suggestions and advice touching those
matters of special Importance as have
occurred to me in the brief time allowed
since the delivery of the former mes
sage.
CONGRATULATIONS.
First of all, permit me to cOngratu-
late you cordially as "A body, and indi-
vidually almost without exception, on
the result of the late election, which re-
stores to power in national administra-
tion the political party which has ever
been dominant in Kansas. The deter
mination of the issues involved in the
elections OF Harrison and Morton has
not only broken the power of sectional
ism. but has settled the
policy of the government fol
years III the future, on the line of hon
est elections, protection to American
labor and American industries, justicE
to those who periled life and limb in
defending the flag and the integrity Of
the Union, foreign policy that shall
be Jealous of the honor and consistent
with the dignity and power of the Ma
ton, henceforth to be governed in
peace by those who cherished and de
Tended it in war. deem this a proper
subject of congTatulation, because it,
Significance is not partisan but patri
otto, pointing as it does to a settled in
dustrial policy in National affairs, thai
the whole country with a renewed
prosperity, of which TIE south and The
west shall be the first to feel the tails
manic touch.
Nor can forbear reminding you fol
another reason, of the fact that il
your body, in both bodh branches, TIT
dominant party of Kansas has practi
cally an unanimous voice, and because
of this, an undivided responsibility,
mDffnrO nf
islation affecting vitality the many an,
varied concerns of great state.
Bearing this ever in mind; coming
as you do, fresh from the people; un
derstanding, as you do, their wants
remembering the questions discusses
in the canvass and the promises mad
on the faith of which tue people $
generously gave you their suffrages
In all matters both of local and geneI
al importance, it is fair to assume tina
you will permit the full measure q
popular confidence repOsed in you to b
exceeded only by your diligence in tn
conscientious discharge of your gres
trust.
therefore briefly call your attentio
to such promises as were so made
the late campaign, believing that yo
will make haste to vitaliZe each an
every one by necessary and proper lei
Islation.
PLATFORM PROMISES.
1st. A continuance of the polio
that has been conspicuous in Kansf
legislation, friendly to the interests {
wage-workers and laborers general,
and the further protection of labC
against encroaehment or influence
tending to degrade or injure it by mel
cheapness. through unfair competitio
or any kind Of oppression whatever.
APPRENTICE LAWS.
I'd. Such amendments to the pre-
\ emit law concerning apprentices as m;
be just and necessary to render 1t G
fective in the protection of the interes
OF skilled labor against unfriend
competition.
WEEKLY PAYMENTS
Sd. Such legislation as shall secu
the weekly payment of wages 70 or