The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1895-01-18
HIS MESSAGE.
The New Governor of Kansas Gives
His Views on State Matters.
PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND.
Foreign Market Unconstitutional Conven-
tion-JUdicilI Observation-Disclosures
SuraDcc-Irrlgation-T
State Institutions-Etc., Etc.

euA M sStIosA-A
state InStitutions-Etc., Etc.
TOPEKA, Kan, Jan. 15-Gov, Morrill,
sent his message to the Kansas legisla-
ture to-day, which is as follows:
To the Senate AMI House of Representatives of
the State OF Kansas:
l think 1t may not be deemed inappropriate
to say to you that while appreciate the high
honor conferred upon me By the people Of
Kansas in selecting me as the chief executive
of the state for the coming two years. am not
unmindful Of the grave responsibilities that
Will devOive upon me, and I should
hardly have courage to undertake them
did l not feel that in every honest
of the state good government shall have your
hearty and undivided support. A third of a
century has passed since Kansas was admitted
into the union, and you meet in this session
under conditions str;kingly in contrast with
those that presented themselves to the first
state Legislature of Kansas. There has been a
wonderful increase in wealth and population, a
wholly changed condition of things, demand
ing an entirely different consideration of
sfairs You will pardon me il 1 remind you
that wcighty responsibilities rest on you, and
upon your action will largely depend the sue
cess Of the present administration.
. am not aware that there is any demand
from the people for a radical change in the
laws, but they do ask for relief from excessive
taxation; that the expenses Of the state shall
be reduced to the lowest possible point con-
S1Stent with wise and economical admins
tration OF the state government. Owing to the
financial panic, through which the country has
passed during the last years, in some respects
the scvereSt that has ever been known, and
the partial failure OF crops for the same period.
there has been serious depression in values
and a decreased demand for labor, which rem
-iefs our burdens far more oppressive than
they would be il years OF prosperity. 1t
should be srurce of hearty cong ratulation to
all that kaLsas has passed through the terri
bic crisis with SO few failures, and SO little to
discop rage citizens.
Foreign Markets.
And in this connection desire to call your
attention to one branch of the trade Of this
country that especially interests our people,
and that is the increased demand for our farm
products from foreign market For several
years a steady and determined effort was made
to open up the markets OF the old country to
some Of the products in which kansas oxcels,
especially Indian corn, beef and pork. Under
better light, secured by wise legislation,
prejudice and cupidity were gradually yielding,
and our exports Of these products were becom-
Ing an important factor Of great value to our
people, and gave promise OF a increased de-
mand for the articles in producing which Kan
sas can lead the world. But the present con-
gress has. in my judgment, by ill-advised and
-Euu6 lcSlSlotlOu, dSSuLueu 10 dictate TO foreign
cations their internal policy Of protection to
their home industries by discriminating duties
On sugar imported from countries having export
duties on that article This has LED to active
retaliation on the part OF those countries, and
ell the nations OF central Europe have become
commercially estranged from our country and
are taking active,a and what prove to be effec-
tive, measures to prevent the importation of
our meats. justifying themselves by revival
d the exploded and senseleSS claim that our
meat animals are diseased. The repeal of the
reciprocity provisions OF our tariff laws has
caused Spain and other countries to make q
most unjust discrimination against the impor-
tation of our farm products. To relieve us Of
this embarrassment by the removal of this en-
barge, and to restore US to a condition where
we can increase to it's utmost limit the expor-
tation OF those articles which are our main
support is q matter of universal concern to the
people of Kansas. would therefore urge the
The passage of q concurrent resolution by your
honorable bodies. inStructing our senators and
requesting our representatives in congress- to
Introduce and work for the passage OF the most
Effective remedial legislation in this regard
The governor then gives several rea-
sons for constitutional convention,
saying that the judicial system should
be reorganized, the letting of convict
labor prohibited, the powers of corpor-
atoms defined and the care of the
school fund changed. He then saws
that there is demand for an appellate
court, the supreme court being SO far
behind that ii case was filed now it
would be six years before it could be
heard. He then goes on to saw:
There ought to be Complete redistrictinR
Of the state for judicial purposes, and q reduce
lion of at least twelve districts In humber
This would save to the state in salaries of
nar Voc voy
iul of the difficulties in the way of a redistrict-
ing of the state, but I have confidence to be-
ieve that this legislature has the good judg-
nent, courage and ability to carry out reform
which coUi.LendS itself to the intelligence of
svery voter in the state.
Permanent School Fund.
The investment OF the permanent school
tund OF tho state Is q matter of grave public
concern, and it should be guarded very care
fully. There are about s6,0c0,OO0 in this fund
several hundred thousand dollars of this
money are reinvested every year. Too much
,are cannot be taken in the qua lily of the Sc
:urities purchased. The safety Of the fund is
Of the highest Importance, and should be pro-
sected more sacredly than even tho funds in
the state treasury.
Huring tho boom period, in Kansas while
values were inflated, large amounts Of bonds Of
various kinds were purchased. would recon-
mcnd that a legislative committee be appoint.
I'D to thoroughly investigate the securities on
n9ld, with instructions to report the actual
cash value Of each, and to recommend such
steps Us may be deemed advisable to fix the
responsibility of illegal investments, to collec,
doubtful securities, and to suggest any neces-
sary legislation to guard investments in the
future. And would suggest that this com.
mittee be appointed early in the session. sc
that 1t may report and recommend any amend
ments to the law that may be necessary for the
protection Of the fund.
1ntemperance.
The blghting influence Of intemperance is
still seen in our state. There is scarcely com.
tnunity that does not suffer from this cause
and happy Is the family that is not directly at.
fcctcd by it. Its approach Is SO insidious thai
its danger Is scarcely realized until it is too
late to stay its evil effects. How to cure @,
even lessen the evil. has commanded tn,
earnest thought Of every lover OF his race
be he statesman or moralist. Its demorslizius
effects are universally conceded, and can hard
" be exaggerated. Much Of the poverty ant
crime, the suffering and the sorrowing existin,
to-day can be clearly traced to its evil infiu
ence. Whatever tends to ref Inc and elevate
peopie-to give thcm purer and nobler aspira
tions-will surely tend to lessen this evil Tn,
great work Of removing intemperauce from on
land must be done through the churches
schools and other elevating helps Law il
only n help-an assistant-and never should b,
placed before moral influences. It In fact cal
only be enacted when moral forces have ere
ated q healthy public sentiment against intern
perance. 1t is valuable al aid to help ere
ate and maintain = healthful public sentiment
but ought never to be substituted for it Tn
great work OF advancing the cause of temper
ance can only be done by thorough organiza
ton and active effort along the lines Of educa
ton and moral suasion. aided by laws full.