The Globe-republican., 1895-01-18
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
CONTINUED FROM THIRD PAGE)


legislature repealed so much Of the law -
made it a crime to receive q bribe. leaving in
force only that part Of the statute max
ing it . crime to give q bride. 1t was argued
In support Of this partial appeal. that il both
parties to the transaction were subjected to
punishment. there would be nobody willing tc
testify to the facts II there is any force In
that argument it would seem that the po rtiol
Of the law which was repealed is the one which
should have been left in force, and the portion
which was left in 70 rec should have been re-
peeled For it is possible that q per-
son who had bribed public officer might
make the fact known. especially il the bride
had been exacted under cO.or Of oiice. and I'M
willingly paid: but it is much less like that q
public officer would proclaim his own disgrace
by publishing that he himself had been bribed.
However this may be. the result has not juSti-
fled the argument, and the theory OF excepting
the bribe-taker from the just penalty OF his
crime is not in harmony with enlightened pub
lie sentiment
1t should be understood and agreed by good
citizens everywhere that no pubic officer has
any right to receive a dollar for any act OF has
whatever in his public capacity, except the
salary or fees which the law gives him. The
emoluments OF legislators. city counciimen.
and OF some other officers OF trust and power
are very small But no man is compelled to
assume such office against his will: and if he
seeks it with the hope Of making up defi-
ciencieS in his sa.ary by using his Official posi-
tion for his private gain. he is an enemy to the
public, and should be in the peniten,iary
instead OF in public office.
Election Laws.
The perpetuity Of our government depends
upon free ballot and a fair count. Our cleo
tions should express the free and unbiased
wi Of the voters. The average Judgment Of
the people can be safely relied upon. and IL it
proves occasionally TO be wrong. the mistake
wall be corrected a. the earl est opportunity.
The enactment OF the Australian ballot law
was very decided and advanced step inthe
right direction. and has the unqualified APP
prevail OF the majority OF our people. 1t would
De well 10 proviGe that the county central com
mt.eeS of the three parties receiving
the highest number OF votes at tn" last
election be required to select the judges and
CLERKS to which their party would be entitled.
and place tnelA i'll The hands of the mayors OF
the cities. township trustees, 1t lcaS; ten
days before the day OF election This would
place it bevond the power Of any official to
select inefficient men 10 act for any other part.
An amendment providing for square 1T the
.op Of he ticket. in which anyone VINO desired
vote the entire ticket could make cross,
voaId facilitate voting. 1t would also seem as
hough some inexpensive provision might be
made by which the votes coul be counted rs
hey are cast. 50 that the result nigh. be an
,Ouncci in few minutes after the polls are
.lOSCd.
Commissioner Of Elections.
The law providing for commissioners OF cleo
lions should be repealed. and the mayor and
rouncil OF cities should have charge OF the
registration. The WORK can be better done,
with far more satisfaction to all concerned AMI
at much less cost
Conclusion.
In conclusion. would say that have I'M
bounded confidence in the future OF Kansas.
AS it has steadily advanced in the Years that
that have passed. always true to its motto
con family pressing forward and upward. SO
believe it will continue to advance 1t has
vast hidden resources that will be developed
in the future to add untold wealth to its pres
ent means: millions Of acres OF fertile soil
which have as yet been untouched by the plows
inviting the honest yeomen from other states.
With proper encouragement. sturdy men can
be induced to make their homes within its
borders and countless millions can be secured
to develop its bounilesS resources Then let
every citizen Of the state. withou. regard to his
political affiliations be loyal to its interests.
and ever ready to defend its fair name.
f. n MORRILL,.