Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-01-22
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Biennial Address Of Governor L. q.
Humphrey.
vNvoYsble Showing of the Finances of the
StsGs-The Various State Institutions
Treated The Original Package
Question Considered-Work of
the Railroad Board The
COdifying Commit
tee-Etc.

Topeka, Kan, Jan. 1.-THE message
of Governor Humphrey as sent to the
Legislature, with the exception of minor
particulars is as follows:
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
The absolute independence of each of the
several co ordinate branches of the Govern
ment. executive, legislative and judicial. is
1eaiously hedSed about in the frame work of
the Constitution But these several branches
are designed to constitute one harmonious
whole, acting together in a spirit of friendly
Corporation to the end thatthe best results
On government may be attained
Hence the constitutional requirement, in
obedience to which it becomes my duty and
pleasure well to address you at this time,
Communicating for your consideration such
Information as 1 may possess. together with
such recommendations touching needed leg
islation as may have been suggested by OBJ
servation and experience during the past
eco years OF my ncumbency as Chief Execu-
give.
For the time being, the prosperity, the
bonor and good name of Kansas, are in an
Especial degree within your keeping. And
pharing with you this high responsibility, it
Is confidently hoped that as fellow citizens
Of the State, having n common interest in it's
affairs and alike concerned in whatever may
promote the well being of all the people,
3here gill be manifest at all times both
friendly CO. operation and substan tial accord
in all matters of state concern, regardless of
whatcvtr difference of view may exist re-
N the scope of Congressional legislation.
Kansas has rounded out the third decen-
9ial period, and her growth in the last de-
cade Is certainly gratifying as shown by the
following vital statistics from the reports of
CHE State Board OF Agriculture: The popula-
zion of the State in 1880 was $50, CSC; in $780,
l,42f,4S5: gain of AZ per cent The number
Of az res of field crops in 1899 was S,S6S SS4; in
$780, II 92l; Il gain of Al per cent The
7alue OF the field crops in 1897 was $685. III ,6s4
in 1899, S19,2GS, fSi gain of $50 per cent The
ealue of farm products in 1880 $780,
5r0,2H; in 1850, SI23, 9C9; gain of
% 4 per cent. The value of live stock in
1850 was SCI ,563, $751; in 1880, S113 533, 342; a
9ai1 of o4.2 per cent The total assessed val
ue of all property in the State in 1880 was
ol60,5'0,76l; in 1890, 47,77 ,21s; gain of 1855
ger cent. The amount of capital invested in
manufactures in the State in 1880 was sI1, 1872. :
BIS; in 1890, S45, 1000: gain of BOP per cent.
The numbef of public school districts in 1880
Eas6,l34; in 1880. 9,022; gain of 2,SsS. The
0umber of children of school age in 1880 was
340,647 in 1880, 509,6l4 gain of 1863 1867. The
Valne OF school property in 1880 was "a, 633 044 !;
in 1880, Sl0,6l1, 49, an increase of S. ,9SI, lO5
The number of church edifices in 1850 was
964; in 1890, 1879; gain of l,375 The value
of church property in 1897 s., 43O 1856; in
$3.50, SS,SO1 so; an increase of S6,3 ,4S5. The
Gotal mileage of railroads in the State in 1880
las 3,4O0; in $780, $685. an increase of 1886
1niles, near three hundred per cent.
The State census shows steady annual
gain from 1880 up to 1883 Since then, as ap-
pears from the late Federal census we have
suffered slight falling off in the western
part of the State more especially in the new
ly-organZed counties, owing to drought
Practical legislation designed to encourage
CHEESE people in Western Kansas should have
early and favorable attention. In this con-
naction your consideration is invited to the
eepOrs of a convention held at Oberlin, De-
catur County, in December last, 20 consider
sne subjecS of irrigation, and to ask State and
National legislation in aid of the movement
The matter of first Importance, perhaps, is
So secure Congressional legislation to settle
certain inter state questions arising out of
Che subject of irrigation; and to this end it
8ll be advisable to memorabilia Congress
for such action as may be deemed necessary
in che premises.
Ehe general condition of the State is stead
lily improving, and, all things considered
compares favorably with that of other agri-
cultural Statea OF the West