Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-01-18
GOVERNOR wA,rE.s MESSAGE.
He Tells the Colorado Lsgisiators Why
He Called Them Together and
Erpiains the Need for New
Lcglslation.

| Legislation.
| Below We give comparatively briei
condensation Of Governor Waite's ad-
dress read at the opening Of the extra
session of the legislature:
The governor after speaking Of the
ropriety of calling an extra session,
.ferred to the need of change in
nc laws regarding trust deeds. He
said:
Governor Adams, FIVE years ago,
pronounced the legislation of this
State, in relation to trust deeds and
attachments, as Infamous. The hy-
pocritical press and politicians of the
two old parties have WED in denuncia-
tion of these statutes, which place the
debtor class absolutely at the mercy of
the creditor class, and provide under
legal forms to take away the prop
crty of the debtor without due process
of law, but during the past three regu-
lar biennial sessions of the Legislature
Of this State, whose sessions are limit
ed to ninety days, no legislation for
the relief of the people from these in
famous laws has been accomplished.
The bankers of this State, the corrupt
politicians and venal newspapers who,
pretending to be opposed to these in
iquitous laws, have really been in their
favor, by every means in their power
have prevented their repeal. The
tactics of delay have been used with
fatal effect, and general assemblies ap-
paren,ly, and perhaps really in favor
of reform as to these outrageous laws,
have adjourned unable to afford any
relief
/ After calling attention to the fact
that such suggested legislation should
not apply to present contracts, he said
'But as to future contracts, there
can be no question with any honest
man, that the Infamous outrages which
the creditor can now lawfully commit
upon the debtor, should cease. The
recommendation as to the attachment
laws of the State, applies equally to
the code, and the Justices act and the
regulation of costs. The special plea
so often made that independent and
just legislation will drive away foreign
capital, or provoke the creditor to re-
sort to the unjust advantages our laws
give him, is both cowardly and false.
Creditors often grant time and favors
to their debtors, but as rule it is in
their own interest. When payments
become slack or are entirely suspend
ed, the legal remedies will be ap-
piled"
In regard to the proposition to stop
the issuance of bonds, he said: 'The
proposition to issue certificates or or
ders for state warrants is just and
constitutional. AS is also the propo-
sition for municipalities to issue their
certificates or orders instead Of bor-
rowing money. The question is sim
ply whether the financial policy Of tn e
country shall be in favor of the peo-
pie or wholly in the interest of the
banks and bondholders; whether the
national financial policy, SO fiercely
but hypocritically denounced by the
old political parties in this state shall
control the financial policy Of the state
and municipalities.
In this connection Governor Waite
called attention to the scrip issued and
circulated by St. Louis in 1873. He
then referred briefly to his recon-
mcndations in regard to change in
the irrigation laws, the creation Of a
new county for Cripple Creek, to ere
ate non-partizan election boards, to
secure the registration of women, to
| r,1u,o Jol;po,ont NV nonolt;os nnJ
to provide for more careful examina-
ticn of state banks. He expressed
the opinion that the local improve
ment bills should be passed, as it was
better to use the states funds in in
terpal improvements than to let the
banks have it at per cent. He also
urged the passage Of laws forbidding
gold clauses in trust deeds. Then the
speaker turned his attention to the
silver question:
''But the worst and most tyrannical
usurpation Of power by the general
government has been its unjust and
unconstitutional war upon silver. In
this fight we, in common with the
other Becky Mountain states, because
producers of silver, have been partic-
ularly injured. War has been made
upon our principal industry. 1t has
stricken down, principally through
the instramentality of the Republican
party for the past twenty years, the
production Of silver in all the Rocky
Mountain region, amounting annually
to near $70,000,000. 1t has not only
destroyed the value Of silver prospects
and mines, but reduced the value Of
all other property dependent upon sill
yer mining, and injured also the pro-
fessional, mechanical and agricultural
interests in the state, which have
largely depended on the mining camps
for business and markets, and yet the
vcnal press of Colorado is beseechine
support for the grand old Republican
party because that party is the great
representative of the principle Of pro-
lection to American industry!
Practically, silver mining in the
state of Colorado has been ruined.
The action of Congress in repeating
the Sherman act, which made market
for 4, 500, 900 ounces Of silver bullion
per month, in connection with the act
of the British money power in closing