Wichita eagle., 1889-01-10

| offender. Such statute would have a
| wholesome restraining influence upon
| law-breakerS who are continually par
| doned
THE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
The present superintendent of insurance
| mas, in preparing his annual reports, elm
mated vast mass Of statements and re-
ports made TO him by insurance compan-
! les. and has thereby effected a large
reduction in the printing bills OF the
state. But he truly says that mot
| one fact Of Importance has been
! omitted" All statistics and facts of the
| least value or Importance to the public are
! given in a clear, compact and systematic
/ manner.
/ The business Of insurance is of such uni
versal interest 20 the people and has grown
| to such vast proportions that the most
stringent and comprehensive legislation IS
| essential to protect the public against lrre-
! sponslble companies. organized Tor fraud
| and plumber A few years ago, Kansas
/ was Invaded by swarm Of these swlnd-
/ ling insurance companies, some OF them
| incorporated under our laws; others OF
alien origin and authority. Hundreds Of
! thousands of dollars have been stolen from
! the people of this state by SO called insur-
! companies that did 10 q ID could not insure.
| The only persons belltIi6L5d by Such Or
| CARNATIONS are their officers and agents,
who pocket the salaries and commissions
they receive. and give nothing in return
therefor. Our laws should make it i'm
possible for any insurance company TO do
business in Kansas unless its ability to
pay any and ali losses was we'll established
and the integrity OF It's organization was
equally unquestioned.
The present superintendent has waged
all uncedslng war upon these fraudulent
panies, and has driven most of them
| from the state. HIS efforts to protect the
people against them should be upheld by
the legislature. The suggestions embodied
in his report are commended to your at
tention and favorable action.
THE STATE CAPITOL.
a contract for the foundations of the
east wing Of the capitol was let on the
second of May, 1866, and this wing par
tally completed. was occupied by the
state officers on the twenty-fifth of De-
cember. 1870. 1t was not finished, how
ever, early in 1873. The state issued and
sold bonds to the amount of 1928, 900 TO
provide means for it's construction. Its
total cost, however, was S450O00
la the summer of 1879 the building of
the west wing was commenced, and it was,
though in an unfinished condition. occu-
pied in the summer of 1881. 1t was COM
pleJed in 1882 and cost Ss3l2,0 900.
Work on the central building was COM
menced in 1881, and its foundations were
completed in 1854. Early in the spring of
1850 work was begun on the first story
and the walls are now finished to the
height of the fourth and last story. The
cost of the central building to date has
been S517 900, and it is estimated that from
s600, coo TO $4,000 will be required to COM
plete ii.
The remodelng of the east wing, in
Guiding the senate chamber, in 1856, cost
$40, 000-so that the capitol, as it
stands today, has cost an aggregate of 81
$4,000. No bonds have been issued since
the east wing was finished. The haif-min
tax for state house purposes has provided
a fund sufficient TO meet all the eXpendi-
lures made.
The central wing has been built in &C
cOrdance with the plans approved by the
legislature OF 1881. During the past two
years work on the building has been
pushed forward with great energy, and
see 10 reason why the Wings on either side
OF the come cannot be completed within
two years Additional accommodations
TOR the supreme court, the state library,
and several Of the departments Of state.
provided for IL the central building, are
greatly needed.
THE LABOR BUREAU.
The annual reports of the bureau of la
Dor and industrial statistics embOdv inter-
esting and valuable information, and
Should be carefully considered by you. 1t
say that the statute books OF Kansas
contain more laws enacted to protect the
rights OF WOriln9men, Co secure justice
Tor them, and 10 shield them against the
aggressions either of capital or corporate
powell, than do the statute books of any
other state OF the union. The last report
of the labor commissioner shows that the
laws of Kansas " include nearly every
enactment recommended by one of the
great labor organizations OF the country,
as well as many others of similar scope
and intent not formulated III this enumer-
alton Of desired legislation.
But legislation in this line should not
cease AS Iongas anYinjustice is complained
Of or any wrongs exist that law can re-
dress or prevent. The platform of prin CT
pies TO which nearly all the members OF
your body are pledged, demands several
reforms IN the interest OF workingmeD.
Some Of these have been discussed
in other portions OF this cJmmuni-
cation. The weekly payment Of wages bv
municipal ana private corporations is
specially advised In my Judgment the
demand for weekly payments is sustained
by SO many considerations affecting the
economies, necessities and rights of work
ingmen, and would in so many ways im-
prove their condition and Tighten their
burdens that no consideration of the con-
venience or expense OF employers should
prevent favorable response TO it. The
shstem thus advised will be practicable
whenever it is made compulsory, and con
venient whenever it becomes the general
usage.
THE NINE INSPECTOR REPORT.
The report of the mine inspector, with
the recommendations it embodies concern
ing needed changes III our mining laws
should have your careful consideration
4 very serious explosion occurring in one
OF the mines in Crawford county in No
vember last aud causing the death of a
number of persons, suggests the need of
further provisions sor the safety of those
employed IL mining industries. The most
experienced and expert miners agree that
this accident was caused by some subtle
and dangerous force, believed to be SINH
lar in many respects, to that developed
occasionally IN Touring mills by floating
and minute dust. The coal mines in south
eastern Kansas are, generally, what are
called dry mines, and several accidents
occurring IN them can hardly DE accounted
tor unless the theory that coal dust. under
certain conditions, viii cause disastrous
explosions, is accepted. Che mine in
which the explosion occurred in November
WIS one OF the best constructed and most
perfectly equipped IN the state. That il
did occur, Notwithstanding these facts, Is
evidence that additional legal require
ments in the construction and operation Of
mines are necessary.
TIE ADJUTANT GENERALS REPORT.
The adiutaut general reports that the
National guard, consisting of four regi-
ments, Is well organized and equipped Its
discipline and appearance are matters Of
state pride. and It's officers and men have
responded TO every cali Of duty with
promptness and zeal worthy Of the highest
commentator. The force Is a small one,
but Is in my Judgment. ampleu 70 meet any
pm l. a b.