The advocate., 1891-01-21

The making Of laws for a great state,
with its varied interests and vast concerns
involves grave responsibilities, prosuppos-
inq ana 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.
ponant measures. The people, however 40
| the lAto election refused % extend Che lie
| of the Legislative session beyond tho fifty
day limit prescribed In the constitution.
| And experience admOnishes us that, aside
from the consideration of appropriation
/ bills and other measures absolutely nooes-
sary DO the maintenance Of tho state govern
ment, but little time usually remains for
| tho due consideration and discussion OF
| legislation OF a general character. The ne
cesaity, therefore, of econOmizing time by
prOmptness In organization and the utmost
diligence and industry atterward, Is 30 inn
portant that cannot forboar the sugges.
tiOn.
For the time being, tho prosperity, tho
honor and good name OF Kansas are In an
especial degree within your keeping. And
sharing with you this high responsibility 10
Is confidently hoped that as fell0w-citzens
/ OF the state, having a common interest In its
affairs and alike concerned In whatever may
promote the well-being OF all the people,
/ there will be manifest no all times both
friendly cooperation and substantial accord
In all matters OF state concern, regardless OF
whatever difference OF view may exist re-
speotng those questions falling wholly
within the scope Of Congressional logisla-
tion.
The first sub-hesd In this state paper Is
"Kansas Third Decade" The popula-
tlon Of the state in 1890 is given at
| t,423, ,4S5, while il is an error Of 3,6li, the
population being 1,497O06 an increase Of
43t 900 in the last ten years.
The message gives the gain Of the num-
Der Of acres Of field crops for the last ten
years at 44.O per cent; Of the value Of the
same, a gain Of 256 per cent; OF 6O.4 per
cent. OF farm products; Of s4.9 per cent.
in live stock; Of 1855 per cent. In assessed
value; OF 9O2 per cent Of capital invested
in manufactures, and an increase Of
5,460 miles In the total mileage Of rail-
roads In the state.
In the interest OF the people Of west
ern Kansas, the message reads as fol
lows:
Practical legislation, designed TO en-.
courage these people in western Kansas
should have early aud favorable attention
In this connection your consideration is In
vited TO tho report OF a convention held al
Oberlin, Decatur county, In December last
Go consider the subject OF irrigation, and 10
ask state and national legislation in aid OF
the movement.
The matter Of first Importance, perhaps, II
30 secure Congressional legislation TO settle
certain Interstate questions arising out OF
the subject OF irrigation and 90 this end II
will be advisable TO memOrialize Congress
for such action as may be deemed necessary
in the premises.
Under the head Of "Present Convic
tlons," Governor Humphrey, il hlstorl
cally correct In some Of his deductions
ia nevertheless quite theorlzer in what
| he states Of the material conditions thai
existed in Kansas from 1885 to 1889, In
elusive. He says:
The phenomenal growth Of the state dur
ing these years, unfortunately, begot spirit
of adventure and speculation which spreat
, contageoualy. Money was abundant, anC
was borrowed without stint for investment
by hopeful men banking on the future, as Il
the tide OF prosperity would never ebb. Blu
it did The natural reaction set in, precipi
tated by series Of short corn crops frou
1887 TO 1880, broken only by the aplendiC
crop Of 1889.
There il, therefore, nothing mysterioua o.
discouraginR in the present conditions. I'm
provident borrowing and speculation durinl
the period described, and short crops sine,
tell the story. The pas three years hRvt
tested the mettle Of men az well as the ,re
sources OF the state, and the wonder is tina
we have come out of the ordeal 10 we'll, will
faith in Kansas unshaken.
The worst Ia over, and the future full o