Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-02-01
FIRST MESSAGE
o. Lyman H Humphrey. Governor, TO the
Legislature OF Kansas Delivered
January - 1850, in the
Senate Chamber.
10 the Leeislature;


that the two events shall always occur on con-
BsGutiVe 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 enjoined by the Constitution upon the Ex-
ecutive at the commencement OF each session 70
communicate information and recommend such
measures as be may deem expedients has been
performed by my immediate predecessor, whose
term expired but yesterday.
Such an event has not occurred before under
ike CONDITIONS IN the States history Inc mel
dent OF dates occurred In 1857, but the Governor
then elect was his own SUCCESSOR and IN 1870
condition similar to the present viii exist unless
the then Governor shall succeed himself. This
unantcipated state Of affairs is suggestive of the
need Of constitutional revision, and prompts the
inquiry, whether 1t would not be well Co provide
by law that the outgoing Governor shall, in all
cases, prepare snd L. ave with his SUCCESSOR to be
the condition of STATE affairs since the last pre-
csding regular session Of that body, with such
suggestions and recommendations as he may
deem eZpedient. his experience necessarily
gives him familiarity with the various interests
of the Commonwealth, and accurate knowledge
OF the conciuon and business reg uirenents or It's
institutions and thorOughness Of information in
al matters OF public concern. This information
should be communicated 70 the legislature as
early as possible after its organization, and 1t
would seem appropriate TO devolve the duty upon
the retiring Governor. For this practice we
have precedent in the valuable retiring message
Of my distinguished predecessor, Governor
George j. Anthony, transmitted TO the Legisla-
rure on the 18th day of January, 1879 by his sue
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
70 you on Wednesday last; message covering
every topic and EN- bracing every subject OF IN
tersst far relates to the business affairs of
the State, including the transmittal of the re-
ports of state and department officers, and the
boards in charge Of the several institutions; to-
gsther with many suRgestions and recommends
tons touching future legislation, based upon an
experience covering the four years OF his lncuLn-
hency- These suggestions and recommendation
j commend to your careful consideration.
Under these circumstances / feel to a great
measure relieved OF the burden involved IN the
duty OF presenting IN detail such cOmprehen
siYs review or the affairs or the State as Would
otherwise DO demanded by the occasion, and II
has been question not free from doubt in my
own mind whether should not refrain alto
gether from intruding upon You at this time.
But having been chosen at the same time. and
sharing with You the of legislation
and government, and being anxious, Withal, to
establish relations Of cordial cooperation in
whatever may promote the general welfare l
have deemed it my right and duty TO supple4- ent
the message already communicated to you.
briefly reviewing, by way Of approval, without
tanned which seem worthy OF emphRsisa ADDING.
IN a general way, such suggestions and advice
touching those matters of special importance as
since the delivery of the former message.
CONGRATULATIONS.
First Of all. permit me to congratulate you cor
daily as body, and individually without exCsp-
hOn. on the result of the late election, which
stores to power 10 National administration the
political party which has ever been dominant in
Kansas. The determination OF the Issues in
volved IN the election Of Harrison and Morton
has not only broken the power of EectionaIism,
but has settled the policy of the government for
years In the future on the line of honest cleo
tiOns, protection TO American labor and
American Industries Justice to those
who periled lire and limb 10 defending the
flag and the integrity OF the union, a foreign
policy that shall be jealous of the honor and CON
sistent with the dignity and power of the Nation,
hencetOrth to be governed IN peace by those who
cherished and defended it in war. deem this a
proper subject Of Generalization. b. cause its
Significance is not partisan but patr otic, point
ing, as It does, to settled industrial policy In
National affairs, that shall quicken the business
impulses of the whole country with a renewed
prosperity, OF which the south and the west
ehau be the first to feel the talismanic touch.
Nor can fOrbear reminding you for another
reason OF the tacC that IN your BODY IN both
branches. the dominant party Of Kansas has
practically an unanimous voice, and because of
this. an undivided respOnsib ility resting upon
yOus in all matters Of legislation affecting vitality
the many and varied concerns Of a great State.
Bearing this ever IN mind; coming, you do,
fresh from the people; understanding, as you do,
cussed in the CANVASS and the promises made On
the faith OF which the people so generously gave
and EeneraI iu1fortance IT Ia fair 70 sssnT1e fsf
you viii permit the full measure Of popular con-
hdence repUsed in you to be exceeded only by
your diligence in the conscientious discharge OF
therefore briefly call your attention to such
promises as were made in the late campaign,
believing that you viii make haste to vitalize
each and every one by necessary and proper leg
islRtOn.
PLATFORM PROMISES
1st. A continuance of the policy that has been
the interests of Wage-wOrkers and labOrers gen
orally, ana the further projection Of labor
against encrOaChment or influences tending to
degrade or injure it By mere cheapness, through
Unfair competition or any kind Of oppression
whatever.
APPRENTICE LAWS.
I'd. Such amendments to the present law con-
corning apprentices as may be Just and necessary
to render il e ective in the protection Of the in
terests OF skilled labor against unfriendly com
petition.
WEEKLY PAYMENTS.
Sd. Such legislation as shall secure the week
~ payment OF wages to employees OF municipal
and private corporations.
This demand aud the foregoing in regard to
apprentices, are but reasonable and in accord
with the general principle OF protection to labor
and elevation of the laboring Glasses, which tri-
umphed In the recent campaign. The call for
large number Of our citizens whose daily labor
as employees is their only resource. On this sub
Jet attention 1s called to the several reports of
the Commissioner Of Labor Statistics, especially
70 the report OF 1881. 1t viii be remem bersd
that a mediterranean bill passed the House in
the last Lealslsture, and only failed In the sem
ate Tor want OF time to consider It The LEXIS
4a19Ee OF ConnecucuI has enacted such law,
S4aa ne teslAnlony OF thCse IN position to know
IS 70 the effect that the Law is we'll received and
respected by all parties concerned and generally
approved BY public opinion.
INTEREST REDUCTION.
4th. LsgialaiOn was promised. reducing the
legal rate OF interest upon money to six per cent
rate % ten per ent, Prohi biting usury, and pro
V1o1Dg penalties for violations Thereof; and this
promise trust may be promptly enacted intC
law.
The present statute regulating the rate FOL
uss Of money was enacted years ago. Since thsr
all the conditions have changed which natural Dc
determins the rate OF interest between parsieS
viz the security, the hazard, the supply and de
mand, 80 that the rate o. interest In hank dis
counts q d commercial circles generally. havl
been very greatly reduced. There seems to b
good reason for the proposed and promised leg
1alation. The present statute practically i'm
poses no Pc atty for contracting in excess Of ths
maximum Eates simply declaring that the ezces
shall not be collectible in the courts. The usua
and proper penalty Is the forfeiture Of all in
tsrest This the new proposed act should I'm
bedy. While the principle OF usury laws ha
been much debated. the practical wisdom o
them seemg 20 be we'll attested By observe
ton. They are not Objectionable q
legitimate bank .rs ana business people general
~, operating within str4lsl commercial circles
and the necessity for then existence is the pro
lection of the more unfortunate and improyiden