Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-01-22
Supplement.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
70 TIE Senate and H-srss Of r pr -ssntatiuss:

LICuL. EAGCILING, IeEIsIaLIVe and
of the cons titution. But these Several
branches are designed % constitute one
harmonious whole, acting together in a
spirit or friendly cooperation to the end
that the best results in government may be
attained.
Hence the constitutional requirement., in
obedience TO which it becomes my duty and
pleasure as we'll to address you at this
time, communicating for your consid
GRAFTON such information as I may
possess, together with such recon-
mendations touching needed IegisIa-
ton as may have been suggested by Obser-
years or my tncumbency as chief executive.
The making OF laws for a great state,
involves grave responsibilities, PreSuppoS-
Ing an accurate knowledge OF the needs and
eonditlon or the people, some degree OF
and Sufficient time for the discussion OF Inn
portant measures. The people, however,
life OF the Legislative session beyond the
nifty day limit prescribed in the constitu-
ton And experience admOniSheS US that,
aside from the consideration OF appropria
ton bills and other measures absolutely
necesSaryitO the maintenance OF the state
government, but little time usually remains
for the due consideration and discussion OF
IesIslaLloh OF a genera character. Inc
necessity, therefore, or econ omizing time
by promptnesstn organization and the ut
most diligence and industry afterWard, is
so important that cannot 1orbear the sug-
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 RESPONSE bility, it
Is confidently hoped that as fellow citizens
OF the state, having common interest in
Its aIrahs and alike concerned in whatever
may promote the well being OF all the peO-
pie, there Will be manifest at all times both
friendly cooperation ana substantial &C
cord in all matters OF state concern re-
CARELESS OF whatever dinerence OF view
may exist respecting those questions falling
wholly within the scope OF congressional
legislation.
KXNsAs-TmRD DECADE.
Kansas has rounded out the third decen-
NAL period, ana her growth in the last
the Following Vital stStistics from the
reports or the state board of agri-
culture: The population OF the state
in 1850 was e55 lJo6: in 1880 i 42S ASS !:
a gain OF 43 per cent. The number OF
acres OF field crops in 1880 was 8 ,s6s. sS4; IN
The value OF the HELD crops in $50 was
sos. H. 634i in $780, $40, 26s, OS1; gain OF 25.6
1850 was $50, 500, PA; in 1880, SIPS, IA, 9O9;
gain or co. per cent. The value OF live
53S, 343; a gain OF SAP per cent. The
total assessed value OF all property in the
state in 1850 was S160, $50, 76I; in 1890, S347,
7I7, 2ls; gain OF 1l6.5 per cent. The amount
or capital invested in manufactures in the
STATE IN 4ssO was 81 ~ so; In 1880, S45 ,OOO
OOO5 gain OF SOz per cent me NUMBER or
public school districts in 1850 was 6, I34 in
1SsO, s.OZ2; gain or ,sse. The number OF
children OF school age in 1850 was $40, 647; in
1880, 500, GA; a gain or los, 1857 The value OF
school property in 1850 was 81, e33, GA; in
1880, SIC, 611 ,149; an increase or s.. 9S4 Jos.
The number,or church ed.f1ceS in 1880 was
S64 in 1890, 2, 339; gain or ], 1915. The value
OF church property in 1880 was 81, 43O, 3s5 in
1890, s., Sol $40; an increase OF Sc, 81, 4S5.
The total mileage OF railroads IN the state
in 1850 was 3, 400; in 1890, SGT; an increase or
B, 466 miles, or near 800 per cent.
Inc population above given is from the
Kansas with twelve of the most pros6epoIIs
and rapidly growing states or the west, and
OF the union Yet but four OF these exceed
Kansas In percentage or gain in the past
ten years.
Indeed. Kansas has advanced another
waFn n AMI UnaafH
the states, standing nineteenth now in
stead or twentieth, as in 1880. In the race
elder sisters, including some that were in
at the birth OF the union, more than q
century ago; not in population alone, but
in all the material elements that go to make
great and prosperous commonwealth.
is very remarkable. Eight may be selected
OF the number showing q percentage OF
or an average increase OF over 800 per cent.
The state census shows a steady annual
gain from 1880 up to and including 1888. Since
then, as appears from the late federal
census, we have suffered a slight falling on
IN the western part or the stale, more es-
pecially In the newly organized counties:
During some or 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
trying conditions ever Incident to pio-
neer life, are creating homes and fnsti-
tutions in western Kansas. But these
pioneers are Stllnu1aIeu IN Inelr struggle by
the belief that like conditions and d1f1cul-
, ties have characterized the settlement or
the state in its progress from the Missouri
river to the western boundary.
Practical legislation designed to encour-
age these people in western Kansas should
have early and favorable attention. In this
connection your consideration IS invited to
the report or a convention held at Oberlin,
sider the SUBJECT Of irrigation, and to eS 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 OF irrigation; and to this end
IL viii be advisable to memorabilia congress
for such action as may be deemed necessary
PRESENT CONDITIONS.
The general condition OF the state IS
steadily improving, and. all things consid-
e other agricultural states or the west. IT
there be any difference, the cause is appar-
emit, and easily traced The unbroken series
OF DOunttfQl harVeStS from 1882 TO 1886 1nclu-
sive, ouickened every Interest, and launched
the state upon period OF development the
most remarkable in its history. Farm lands
and real estate or every kind rapidly appre-
ciated IN value, with which every interest
promptly sympathized. Towns and
cities doubled ana trebled, and assumed
way were extended in every direction,
aided by lavish Issues OF municipal bonds.
than 900 miles were added to our extern
-sive system OF railway, now exceeding that
Dnring the same time over S06 ooo 1eonGa
settled in the state, and twenty four new
counties were organized. Frontier lines
were thus practically wiped out, and settle
smenU suddenly extended to the western
boundary.
The phenomenal growth OF the state dur
ing these years, unfortunately begot q
spirit OF adventure and speculation which
spread contagtously. Money was abundant,
and was borrowed without stint for invest
ment by hopeful men banking on the lu-
ture as II the tide or prosperity would
never ebD. But it did. The natural reac
ton set IN, precipitated by series OF short
corn crops from 1857 TO 1880, broken only by
the splendid crop OF 1889.
There is, therefore, nothing either mys-
ferious or diSccuragfng IN the present con-
dtttons. Impr0Vident borrowing and spec
ulation during the period described, and
short crops since, tell the story. The past
three years have tested the mettle or men
as well as the resources OF the state, and
the wonder is that we have come out OF the
ordeal so well, with faith in Kansas un-
shaken.
The worst IS over, and the future full OF
hope. Agriculture, our great Industry,