Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-01-24
AFFAIRS OF STATE.
Message Of Governor Humphrey
to tie Kansas L.eeislatura
11ae Outlook for the State Good-rhe Pr.o-
kace Of Issuing Municipal Bonds Critt-
cised-Other Matters Considered
ut Length.

CSeO-Otnof m8CCef0 CO0o100E00
ut Length.
TOPEKA, Kan, Jan. 7.-Governor Hum
phrey's message was sent to the Legisla.
sAre yesterday. Following are its main
1eRtures:
10 the Legislature: -+fs'
The provisions of the Constitution fx the sec
ond Monday in January as the commencement
at the executive term and the second Tuesday
a January as the day on which the Legislature
shall convene In regular session; contemplating
mat the two events shall always occur on con-
Eecutive days. By reason OF an exceptional and
unforeseen condition Of things, tho 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
executive at the commencement OF each Ses-
sion, to communicate information and recon-
mend such measures as he may deem expedient
has been performed by my immediate predec-
essor, whose term expired but yesterday.
Such an event has not occurred before under
Hike conditions in the States history. The in
s,ident of dates occurred in 1867, but the Cover
NOR then elect was his own successor, and in
1895 condition similar to the present will exist
unless the then Governor shall succeed him
s6e3f This unanticipatcd state of affairs is sug-
gestive OF the need of constitutional revision,
and prompts the inquiry. whether it would not
s0e well to provide by law that the outgoing
Governor shall, in all cases, prepare and leave
with his successor, to he delivered to the Leg
islature, a message reviewing the condition of
State affairs since the last preceding regular
session of that body, with such suggestions and
recommendations as he may deem expedient.
His experience necessarily gives him a famili-
.arity with the various interests of the Common
wealth. and accurate knowledge of the condi-
7fton and business requirements OF its institu-
Ctons and thoroughneSS OF information In oil
matters OF public concern. This Information
:; should be 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
practice we have q precedent in the valuable
retiring message Of my distinguished prede-
.cessor, Governor George r. Anthony, trans
united TO the Legislature on the 18th day of
January. 1879. by his suocessor-a precedent
that should have the sanction OF the law.
AS stated, this duty has been performed by
my immediate predecessor In his message de-
Ivered to you on Wednesday last; message
covering every topic and embracing every SUBJ
3ect of interest far as relates to the business
affairs of the State including the transmttal Of
the reports Of State and department officers,
and the boards in charge Of the several institu-
tons; together with many suggestions and re-
Communications touching future legislation.
based upon an experience covering the four
years OF his incumbenoy. These suggestions
and recommendations I commend to your care
ful consideration.
Under these circumstances feel in great
measure relieved If the burden involved in the
duty of presenting in detail such q comprehen-
Dive rcVicW OI Iue aHalr6 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 refrain alto
Igether from intruding upon you at this time
But having been chosen at the samo time, and
snar1ng with you the responsibilities Of legisia-
zion and government, and being anxious. withal,
z10 establish relations OF cordial cooperation in
whatever may promote the general welfare,
have deemed it my right and duty to supple
ment the message already communicated to
you, briefly reviewing, by way OF approval
without repeating, the recommendations there
An contained which seem worthy OF emphasis;
adding, In . general way. such suggestions and
: advice touching those matters Of special i'm
yortance as have occurred to me in the brief
: si,ze allowed since the delivery Of the former
&message.
CONGRATULATIONS.
First OF all, permit me to congratulate you
cordially a body, and individually almost
without exception on the result OF the late
>flection. which restores to power in National
administration the political party which has
lever been dominant in Kansas. Tho termina-
tim OF the issues involved in the election of
Harrison and Morton has not only broken
the power of sectionalism. but has set
xled the policy Of the Government for
years In the future. on the line OF honest cleo
lions, protection to American labor and Amer
fcan industries, justice to those who peri ed
I1ffe and limb In defending the flag and the in
te9rity OF the Union. q foreign policy that shall
be Jealous of the honor and consistent with the
dignity and power of the Nation, henceforth to
De governed in peace by those who cherished
and defended 1t in war. deem this q proper
subject OF congratulation, because its signif-
canoe Is not partisan but PATRIOTIC. pointing as
It Gees to settled industrial policy in National
affairs, that shall quicken the business i'm
pulses of the whole country with a renewed
prosperity, of which the South and the West
shall be the first to feel the talismanic touch
Nor can forbear reminding you for another
reason OF the fact that in your body, in both
branches, the dominant party Of Kansas has
practically an unanimous voice. and because of
this, an undivided responsibility resting upon
you, in all matters Of legislation Affecting vi
tally the many and varied concerns of q great
State. SEES.
Bearing this ever in mind: coming as you do
fresh from the people; understanding. as you
do. their wants; remembering the questions
discussed in the canvass and the promises made
sou the faith Of which the people SO generously
gave you their SURFACES, In all matters both of
local and general Importance, it is fair to as
sumo that you will permit the full measure OF
popular confidence reposed in you to be ex-
.cecded only by your diligence in the conscien-
~aious discharge OF your great trust.
therefore briefly call your attention to such
promises as were so made In the late campaign,
believing that you will make haste to vitalize
each and every one by necessary and proper
Legislation. ~
PLATFORM PROMISES.
First-A continuance of the policy that has
been conspicuous in Kansas legislation, friendly
TO the interests OF wage-workers and laborers
generally, and the further protection of labor
against encroachment or influences tending to
degrade or injure it by mere cheapness. through
unfair competition or any kind Of oppression
whatever.
Second-Such amendments to the present
law concerning apprentices as may be just
and necessary to render it effective in the
protection of the interests OF skilled labor
against unfriendly competition.
Third-Such legislation as shall secure tho
weekly payment Of wages to employees Of munic-
1pal and private corporations. ssA
Fourth-Legislstiou was promised reducing
the legal rate Of interest upon money to per
.ceut. per annum, reducing the maximum con-
tract rate to 10 per cent. prohibiting usury, and
providing penalties for violations thereof; and
this promise trust may DO promptly enacted
into law.