Thomas County cat., 1891-01-08
Supplement.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
To Tie senn.l nra Y u,. Of z nr ,.n,n,rres.

is jealousy hedgeG about in the framework
OF the constitution. But these several
branches are destined to constitute one
harmonious whole, acting together in a
spirit of friendly cooperation to the end
tnat the best results IN government may be
attained.
Hence the constitu' ioGal requirement, in
obedience TO which II becomes my. duty and
pleasure as well to address you at this
time, communicating for your consid
GRAFTON such Information as i may
possess, together with such recon-
mendations touching needed legtsla-
ton as may have been suggested by oDser-
walton and experience during the past two
years OF my ipcumbency as chief executive.
The making OF laws for a great state,
with It's varied interests and vast concerns,
involves grave responsibilities. presuppos-
Ing an accurate knowledge OF the needs and
condition OF the people, some degree Of
familiarity with the methods OF legislation,
and sufficient time for the discussion OF i'm
portant measures. The people, however,
at the late election refused to extend the
life OF the legislative session beyond the
nifty day limit prescribed In the Constitu-
ton And experience admOn!shes US that, i,
aside from the consideration OF appropria-
fion bills and other measures absolutely
necessary to the maintenance OF the state
government, bat little time usually remains
for the due consideration and discussion OF
legislation OI q general character. The
necessity, therefore, of ecOuomiZing time
by promptneSs In organization and the ut
most diligence and industry afterward, is
SO important that cannot Torbear the sug-
GeStion.
FOR the time being. the prosperity, the
honor and good name Of kansas are in an
especial degree within your Keeping And
sharing with you this high respons bil,ty. IL
IS conndeEt!y hoped that as fellow citizens
OF the state, having Il common interest in
Its aifa!lS and alike concerned in whatever
may promote the Wei being OF all the pcO-
PIE, there will be manifest at all times both
friendly cooperation and substantial ac-
core IN all matters Of state concern, re-
gardleSs OF whatever difference Of view
may exist respecting those questions falling
fA r al
legislation.
KANsAs-TuIRD DECADE.
Kansas has rounded out the third decen-
nial period, and her growth IN tine last
decade Is certainly gratifying. as shown by
rhe following vital Statistics from the
reports OF the state board of agri-
culture: The population Of the state
in lssO was gJ6, ,Uai; in 1880, I,423 4S5;
Il gain Of i3 per cent. The number of
acres of field c ops III 1850 was :, sos. $50; In
1880. u Sii ,92l; gain of 40 per cent.
The value Of the field crops in lSS0 was
SIS. Ill, ,6@i; IN lsO S79, 26s ,0sl; gain OF 2j.6
per cent. The value OF farm product in
1850 was $50, so, 2l4: in 1880. Sl29, IA ,9O9;
gain OF 60.s per cent. The value OF live
$50, ,5i2; gain OF si-2 per cent. The
total assessed valueof all property in the
state in lSs0 was SlG0, $40, 15l in 1880, S3i7.-
III ,2lS; gain OF lIG.5 per cent. The amount
OF capital invested in manufactures IN the
state in lsSJ was sll 92.Sl5, IN 1880, Si5 ,000,
600; gain OF 5U2 per cent. The number OF
public school districts in lSs9 was 6 l34 in
1880, s.022 a gain of Ass. The number OF
children OF school age in 1850 was $40, ,6i7; in
1880, 50e, ,6li; gain OF l6S, ,y51. The value OF
school property in lSSD was s., ,633, ,Oii; in
1890, SD, ,6l7 ,li9; an increase OF IS. .9s4, los.
The number OF church ell fees in 1850 was
s6i; in 1890, 2,SS9; gain OF 80. The value
OF church property IN 1850 was 81 $50 ,3S5 in
1880, s., Sol so; an increase OF S., 81, 49,.
The total mileage OF railroads IN the state
in lsS0 was ), 400; in 1890, ,s66 an increase OF
g, 466 miles, or near 800 per cent.
The population above given is from the
federal census for 1880. which groups
Kansas with twelve of the most prosperous
and rapidly growing states of the west, and
OF the union. Yet but four OF these exceed
Kansas in percentage OF gain In the past
ten years.
Indeed, Kansas has advanced another
step IN relative rank in population among
the states, standing nineteenth now in
stead of twentieth, as in lSsO. In the race
Of progress She has passed many OF her
elder sisters, including some that were in
at the birth OF the union. more than u
century ago; not in population alone. but
IN all the material elements that go to make
a great and prosperous commonwealth.
The growth of our cities during the period
is very remarkable. Eight may be selected
OF the number showing a percentage of
gain in population ranging from lis to 125,
or an average increase OF over 800 per cent.
The state census shows steady annual
gain from lSSOup to andincluding lSSS. Since
then, as appears from the late federal
census, we have suffered a slight falling on
In the western part of the stale, more es-
pecially IN the newly organized counties:
During some OF the past seasons in these
counties the rewards or agriculture have
not been commensurate with the faith and
courage displayed by the brave men
and women who, In the face of
neer life. are creating homes and insti-
tutionS In western Kansas. But these
pioneers are stimulated In their struggle by
the belief that like conditions and Difficult
ties have characterized the settlement of
the state In Its progress from the Missouri
river to the western boundary.
ID,-ar sf,.n1 lot tnra n
age these people In western Kansas should
have early and favorable attention. In this
connection your consideration is invited to
the report OF a convention held at Oberlin,
Decatur county, IN December last, to con-
slider the subject of Irrigation. and to ask
state and national legislation in aid of the
movement
The matter OF first Importance, perhaps,
is to secure congressional legislation to set
tie certain Interstate questions arising out
OF the subject or irrigation; ana TO this end
1t will be advisable to memorabilia congress
for such action as may be deemed necessary
In the premises.
PRESENT CONDITIONS.
The general condition OF the state is
steadily improving, and, all things conSid-
cred, compares very fayorably with that OF
other agricultural states OF the west. If
there be any difference, the cause is appar
ent, and easily traced. The unbroken series
of bountiful harvests from lss2 to 1856 inclu-
siye ouickened every interest, and launched
the state upon period OF development the
most remarkable in Its history. Farm lands
ciated in value, with which every interest
promptly sympathized. Towns and
cities doubled and trebled, and assumed
costly metropolitan airs. New lines OF rail-
way were extended in every direction,
aided by lavish issues OF municipal bonds,
In the four years beginning with 1855 more
than OOO miles Were added to our exten-
sive system Of railway, now exceeding that
of any other state in the union, save one
During the same time over 300 200 people
settled in the state. and twenty four new
counties were organized. Frontier lines
were thus practically wiped out, and settle
ment suddenly extended to the western
boundary.
The phenomenal growth OF the state dur
ing these years. unfortunately begot a
spirIt OF adventure and speculation which
spread coutagiously. Money was abundant,
and was borrowed without stint for invest
ment by hopeful men banking on the iu-
ture as II the tide OF prosperity would
never ebb But it did. The natural reac-
tion set in, preclpitated by a series of short
corn crops from 1857 to 1850, broken only by
the splendid crop OF lSS9.
There is therefore. nothing either mys-
FERROUS or discouraging in the present con-
fitions. Improvident borrowing and spec
NATION during the period described, ana
short crops since, tell the story. The past
three wears have tested the mettle or men
as well as the resources OF the state, ana
fhe wonder is that we have come out or the
ordeal so well, with faith in Kansas un-
shaken. <. x,, -.
THE worst IS over, and the future full or
Agriculture. great Industry,