The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-04
WA|TE'S LAST WORDS
His Message to the Present Col
OradO Legislature.
He Advises the Abolition of
Capital Punishment.
HAS A BRIGHT IDEA.
Let Most Hardened Criminals
Run for State Office.
He Has Severe Words for Judges
and Courts.
HAS A BRIGHT IDEA.

DENVER, Jan. 4.-Governor Waite read
his last message to the legislature of
Colorado today. It consisted of about
$4,000 words, and was perhaps the most
exhaustive document ever presented to
the general assembly of this state. He
called attention first to the fact that in
spite of the destruction of the states sill
yer interests. the credit of Colorado was
higher in New York today than ever be-
fore, and more miles of railroad werc
built in this state last year than any
other.
He referred to the Increased produc-
ton of gold and said "But if even gold
should be found in Colorado as abun-
dantly as it was in California and Aus
lralia, it might relieve but would not
atone for the tyranny and depression
under which both Republican and
Democratic president have deprived the
people of the free coinage of silver-a
right which was theirs before the con-
stltution of the United States was adopted
and which Was never ceded to con-
gress"
The governor recommends a revision
of the state constitutions; law to abolish
the private detective system, an S-hour
law and abolition of capital punishment
He suggests THAT the most hardened
criminals be compelled to run as candi-
dates for some state office"
After a full discussion of state land
matters, the governor recommends that
the state construct reservoirs and canals
for irrigation purposes. He condemns
the Carey land bill Gas in the interest of
private corporations" and recommends
the general assembly to 'tmemorialIZe
congress to cede the arid lands to the
several states in which they are situated
under conditions that the title to these
lands shall forever remain in the state to
be leased in areas not exceeding one
hundred and sixty acres, to actual set
tiers only"
The governor reviewed at length the
! City Hail troubles and the Cripple Creek
miners war, and defended his action on
/ those occasions. He renewed his recon-
menddtion first made to the extra session
| of the ninth general bly,, that the
| legislature should make gold and silver
/ dollars, foreign and domestic, containing
not less than 4121s grains OF silver, 9-1O
| fine legal tender in payment of all debts
collectible in Colorado.
He declared the time had come for ag-
gressive action on the part of friends
| of silver, and said: at is
a matter of congratulation that
at the last election the issues were SO
clearly defined and SO iminent, that the
devil claimed his own and the traitors
| who had been SO long masquerading as
silver Democrats and Populists were
compelled to throw off their disguise
and openly cling to the bosom of the
! Republican party, a party responsible
before God and man for the destruction
of our silver product, the depreciation
within the last sixteen months of all real
and personal property in the state lex
cept money and money securities, to less
than one half their former value, and
the loss of employment to thousands
upon thousands of silver miners"
The governor declared that during the
year the president had sent troops into
Colorado and Illinois in violation Of the
constitution, and recommended the as
| sembly ''to memorialize congress in
solemn protest against the usurpation of
the United States courts aud United
States marshals, who. with the aid and
consent of the United States judges, have
converted the United States court houses
into recruiting stations to enlist despera-
does as deputy marshals without any re-
gard to their proper qualifications, but
simply for military purposes"
"In view of the fact that the sheriffs of
Arapahoe and Ell Paso COMMITTEES had as
sumed military power in violation of the
United states constitution, the state con-
stitution and common law the governor
also recommends the assembly TO pro-
vide some legislation to determine wheth-
er there are any rights left to the COM
mon people of the state, which sheriffs
and courts are bound to respect"
In conclusion the governor said: ga
brief two years ago a Democratic nation.
al administration arrogantly assumed
power in all the departments of the
government. Today that adminstra
ton lies crushed and bleeding Its sue
cess contained ali the elements of iti
swift destruction, for the money power
which controlled the party prevented any
relief TO the people; and SO the Repub
lican party, controlled by the same re-
lentIess power. can grant no relief-nC
substantial prosperity-and would not il
it could. Hence it too must give way Il
the party of progress and reform.
"Ihe Peoples Party of Colorado,
though never in control of the genera
assembly, and with its stale officers
somewhat divided and discordant
during the most exciting anC
troubious times that have existed
n the history of the state, turn
over to the incoming administration th,
affairs of the state with a clean bill o
} health and we shall hold your dominan
party to like rigid account.
Il will not say Hail and Farewell
, That would be too formal We GO, bu
we return. We will meet you, gentle
men, in TWO years at 'PhilippL"
Judge ID. u. Parry Dead.
| KANSAS CITY, Kan, Jan 4-Judge
elect D. d. Parry died in this city thi
{ morning, aged 54 years. He representa-