Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-01-21

TOPEKA. Kan, Jan. lS.--Gov Lew
cling sent his long-eXpected message
10 the Legislature yesterday morning.
Marked attention was paid to the
reading. 1t was long document, the
sniicnt points of which are annexed.
The message opened as follows:
To the Legislature:
The Mcunln! meeting of the chosen repre-
scntaivcs OF the people, pursuant To the re-
auircmcnts OF the constitution, Is an occurrence
80 freq ucnt and usual rs not ot iselt TO attract
more han ordinary attention: but the political
contests which marked the election NJ which
you were chosen were such Us to engage the at
Ien:ion az the people OF the whole state in
most unusual manner. The interest which at
tended upon the late political campaign has
been kent alive not only rs regards tho results
of the election. but so far rs II may be likely TO
affect the future policy OF the state. Contem'
uornnccus with your election. tho people select
cd from among their number an entire set OF
state officers who enter FOR the nrst time
upon the great duty OF administering
the government. indicating purpose on the
mart of the people 10 secure such changes in
the management OF public Affairs ns they
deemed 70 be ne ,cssnry Tor their safety and
,uo,eciion Beneath the surface OF oil political
or social agitation there has developed con-
yiciion that the essential strength OF every
state must depend upon its justice III dealing
with all persons and all interests The relation
OF authority and service of capital and labor
arc daily appealing 10 higher elements than
force for tn adjustment ot differences, wnllc
the artificial and iuctuating relations OF money
and rover are pfoDoritonntely weakened I'M
nuriiy from responsibility for violated trusts.
4 ,tt hp a.
and moral wrongs IRE yielding Ia the demand
for reform. The grew political parties have
become so in,ermiu led in opinion upon econ
rmic questions that opportunity has been
found for more deliberate inquiry into apparent
abuses Of ofllcial position and power. MOI only
GOOD will in words, but good will IN deeds
among men, and on the part OF those in author
ity. always tend allli, TO the safety and protec'
ton CT the individual ana OF the public
Your selection rs the constituent members
Of the law.making department of the state. and
YOUR due organization having been accom-
plishcd. the whole machinery OF state govern
nent is moving onward in its accustomed man
uer: and with n sincere purpose on your part 10
give the people the laws which they demand
and 10 which they IRE entitled, which efforts
and PURPOSES will be cordially supported by the
other departments of the government, II Is be-
licved that an era OF general prosperity Will be
realized Let US all endcavor in our respective
nlaces 10 discharges the duties devolved upon US
by our common constituency IN such manner
Ms TO deserve their intelligent approval.
In obedience TO the requirements OF the con-
.stitution. that the executive shall nj the COM
mencemcnt of each session communicate TO the
legislature such Information as he NAV possess
in reference To the condition Of the state, ana
recommend such measures as he may deem ex'
Incident. proceed 10 submit some suggestions
for YOUR consideration.
The governor next took up the finan-
cial situation of the state and discussed
il as follows:
Auancient adage. 'Out OF debt ont OF dan.
ger" has been supplantcd IN some circles III
these mod IN days by Our debts stand for our
Investments The late Gov. John \. Martin.
in his message TO tho state Legislature OF Janu-
ary II. 1857, presented the following startling
thoughts:
''rlc aggregate OF municipal Indebtedness Is
RAPIDLY aud enormously swelling until 1t has
reached proportions that should alarm every
citizen who has at heart the prosperity OF the
state and he wel-being OF It's people
..The municipal subdivision Of the state have
gone on voting bonds and pil.ng up interest
bearing debts thai Will In u few years cripple
and dsheurten every energy and ambition OF
their people and paralyze oil public spirit.
III all the BOMBS voted were issued, the mCn'
'icipal iadeptc mess OF Kansas would be: Conn
~, si4.4 I3 G5i. township. s0.lli.So; city. -
.Ta4Sl schco. district, ,.,Soi, IlO: total UClS,
s5l."
I, would he but an automatic statement 70
.-,,,aIs,,. .,nt, udaclarUston cx-GOv. Martin
would. we're he still on earth, instinctlvely ana
intut!ycly repudaie the Wanted boast SO bold
lv made, "Our debts stand for our invest
men;s But the following comparison OF
municipal Indebtedness may be appropriate
and pertinent.
Amount OF county bonds IN 1897 IS 1i,7I2.9.9i 10
Amount OF county bonds in lt9! e. TO- "S'So9VJ
Increase in county bends in two
years. e. ...... ................'r -"I1-a'h
Amount OF township bonds in lSOl.9 t,OihoSb61
Amount VI township bonds in 1892. 4, S",SO %
Increase in township bonds In
TWO years.. ..''..'..S $1,000
Amount of CITY bonds in 1870 .....S ',IS",I1ve 90
Amount of CITY bonds in 1897 .. 9,Sil 5216 90
Increase in city bonds in two
years ................'....' ~ E'iVo'''"'"
Amount OF school district bonds In
1890 .............. ........e o,oiV,O'-S
Amount OF school district bonds In
lsP.. ..................'''' Hioi'0''''O
Decrease in school district bonds
IN two years. ..................S l,o-o'fiV"I
Itmay here be seen that the aggregate in
crease in county. township and city bonds dur
ing the last two years Is ,.,4ii, i4l5I.
M upoUertv in 1897 ssI7 III ,.lsOO
The total assessed valuation OF all
nroncrty in 1892 34,sOI, CO. Is
Decrease In valuation in two
years .................s'. ~ i"i0A~'Vh@So
able IN 1900 ................. .slcs, 2s5, 100 IL
Assessed valuation OF alllands tax
able IN ls)2. III, I6T, Iso.sj
Increase In value in two years. s,SSl, VSJ6S