Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-01-19
HIS MESSAGE.
The New Governor of Kansas Gives
His Views on State Matters.
PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND.
Foreign Markets. Constitutional COnven-
tion-JudiciaI s-Taxation-In-
surance-IrriGatiOn-T
State InstitutiOns-Etc., Etc.

Foreign Observation-Disclosures Conven-
tion-JudiciaI DIstrIcts-Taxation-In
surance-IrriGation-T
State InstitutiOns-Etc., Etc.
TOPEKA, Kan, Jan. 15.-Gov. Morrill,
sent his message to the Kansas Iegisla-
TUE today, which is as follows:
70 the Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of Kansas:
< third OF
century has passed slice Kansas was admitted
into the union, and you meet in this session
under conditions strikingly in contrast with
those that presented themselves to the first
state legislature Of Kansas. There has been
wonderful increase in wealth and population,
wholly changed condition Of things, demand
ing an entirely different consideration OF
I 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-
sistent with wise and economical admins
traHon Of the state government Owing to the
financial panic, through which the country has
passed during the last years, in some respects
the Severest that has ever been known, and
the partial failure of crops for the same period,
there has been a serious depression in values
and . decreased demand for labor, which rem
ders our burdens far oppressive than
they would be in years of prosperity. 1t
should be source of hearty congratulation to
all that Kansas has passed through the terri
BILE crisis with so few failures, and so little to
discourage citizens.
While legislative euactments are important
in opening the channels of trade, in stimulating
Industries, in protecting the individual in his
life and property and his right to pursue hap
pineSS according to his own Judgment there
are laws Of trade which will control business
and which cannot be repealed by any statute
of any legislative BODY The waters of the
~ ,1,ax 1,x- - Ion xzS1I
how to the sea- and while the Sailding OF dams
or putting in distractions may retard the cur
rent, it will not change its course, nor can it
stop its flow. Wise legislation would provide
for the removal Of the driftwood and snags in
order to accelerate the current. So industry
and economy wisely directed will always find
their reward In a measure, regardless of what
human laws may decree. Still it is recog-
nized fact that legislation may disturb and re-
strict trade
Many reasons, in my Judgment urgent
and unanswerable, might be presented in favor
of a constitutional convention. The expense,
presume, would be the most serious objection
urged against it, but am satisfied that a simple
clause limiting the power of the legislature to
appropriate money and to allow the incurrence
of debt by municipalities, and the further pro-
vision allowing the governor to veto any clause
in an appropriation bill, would save the state
more every five years than the entire cost of
convention
Unless it is intended and desired to deny
justice to a large class of citizens, it is
imperative that immediate steps be taken to
relieve the supreme court of Of its bur
denS.
less true that the fact that the court is five or
six years behind with its work, induces the
filing OF many appeals which would not other
wise be taken. There would be less induce
ment for itigants in many instances to take
their cases to higher court if tney knew
decision could be reached in a few weeks. I4iti-
CATION ought to be discouraged rather than en-
couraged; and while it may be heaven-born
right for the average citizen to go to law when
ever he pleases, L could never see the justice Of
taxing community several hundred dollars to
defray the expenses of court In order that
two stubborn men might have the ownership
of a ten-dollar calf decided.
judicial Districts.
During the years when the population Of
Kansas was rapidly increasing, and new coun-
ties were being organized at each session of the
legislature, judicial districts were created,
many of them anticipating future growth of
the western portion of the state that has not
been realized.
The number of judicial districts is far in excess
of the requirements of the people, entailtng
needless expense of from SIS, 900 to S40,0 900 per
year.
There ought to be complete redistricting
of the state for judicial purposes, and reduc-
tion Of at least twelve districts in number.
This would save to the state in salaries Of
judges alone $4,000 per year.
Permanent School Fund.
No penalty whatever is attached to the vio-
lztion of the law by the school fund commits
sioners, in regard to the class of bonds they
may purchase for the permanent investment of
Ghe various school funds. There are now thou
sands Of dollars invested in bonds which are
not authorized by law, and which may prove
total loss to this fund. Bonds have been pur-
chased that are not even recognized by the
...r@
issued. The laws governing this board should
be made more stringent, and severe penalties
should be provided for any violation
OF them. Each commissioner should
give bond as loan officer of not
less than sl0J,oO), and the law should provide
that he should be held liable on that bond for
any loss that might arise from the purchase of
bonds not authorized by law. No more inn
portant duty devolves upon you than to guard
with jealous care the funds set apart for edu-
cational purposes.
TO o. enforced for the open violation
of any Law is demoralizing to the
public conscience. 1t breeds a disregard for
law, which is dangerous to any community.
In this country the law is supreme. It is the
governing power: and a disregard of the law is
. disregard Of the government Nitsef. A con-
tinuation of the open violation of any law can
only result in evil to the state. The duty of
every of1cer is plain; the legislature declares
Wn1t Inc law SIdAl De- IL Is the duty OF the eX-
ecutive to obey and enforce it.
Assessment and Taxation.
When one piece Of prop
erty is assessed at 10 per cent. of what it is
really worth and another piece is assessed at
Its full value. and other property is not as
sessed at all. great injustice IS done to some OF
the taxpayers: and yet that condition of things
actually exists in our state to-day. Millions
of dollars worth OF property escapes taxation
entirely result of ignorance. ineficiency or
willful dishonesty on the part of assessors,
Other propertyds assessed at from 10 per cent
TO 100 per cent OF its actual value according to
she Judgment or whim of the assessor.
After pa
e1cns ana careful examination OF the law. am
unable to see where it fails TO prov lie for an
honest, impartial assessment. The fault seems
20 be rather In the administration OF the law
4han in the law itself. If the proper
onacers complied strictly with every pro-
vision Of the laws relating to assess
E1eut and taxation there would be little