The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-26
VIII He Write 1T Himself or
Follow the Custom
Of Many Preceding Governors,
Who Delegated This Task.
MORRILL'S MESSAGE
Was Written BY the Late Geo.
Il. Anthony.
One of Gov. Lewelling's By G..
c. Clemens.

Ne 49, --- ---1A
Now that Governor Leedy has re-
tired behind locked doors for the pur-
pose OF formulating the recommenda-
tions that he VIII lay before the legis-
lature for their action at the coming
session, there is some speculation as to
who viii write the message.
Ia Governor Leedy's case it is quite
likely that he viii write it himself
Perhaps the idea that the governor of
the state does not always formulate the
message himself. or with the help of his
secretary, has not occurred TO the aver
age citizen Such is the fact. Few if
any of the messages that have been
sent TO the legislature by the governors
of this state during the last few years
have been the composition of the man
whose name was signed 10 them Per-
haps the memb bers of the legislature
have had knowledge of this fact, and
that is the reason that they have not
followed the recommendations that
have been contained in these dOcu-
ments.
1T is the custom of the chief executive
of this state to ask the opinions Of the
leading members of their party as to
those measures that they consider ne
cessary 10 call to the attention of the
legislature and some of these recon-
nendatiOns are frequently adopted if
they meet the approval of the governor
and are embodied i'm the message. In
quite number of cases. after the rec
concentrations of the party cOunselols
had been received, the VIII Die matter has
been turned over to some one, and in
others the message has been a sort of
symposium, several men writing differ
ent parts of it,
Tne greater part of Governor Hum
was written by Judge w. c. WeDb Of
this city. The first message of Gov
ernor Lewelling is said to have been
written on the symposium plan. while
the greater part of the last message of
Governor LeweHing was written by G.
C.. Clemens of this city
When Governor Morrill, was elected
and opened his pthce in this city 1Or
the purpose OF getting into The "har-
ness" before assuming the reins of gov
ernment he found himself besieged by
a crowd of men who wanted to be ap-
pointed TO the various offices that the
Popuhst party held, and as he had 10
listen to these men and their friends.
he found that he would have little time
in which to prepare message. SO ne
called TO his aid his friend Governor
George T. Anthony, whom he after
ward appointed superintendent of in
surance.
Governor Anthony prepared a mes
sage That was substantially the mes
sage that was signed by Governor Nor
riIl and sent to the legislature After
Governor Anth0ny's death the original
draft of The message in his own hand
writing was found among his papers.
1t is no Giscredit to the governor of
the state not to write his own message.
If he expresses his views to another who
can arrange them more efectually the
governor is certainly justified in adopt
ing such means as Will best place MS
views before the legislature EX-GOV-
ernOf Anlnonys VINO IS q master Oh
style and diction. was perfectly familiar
with Governor MOrrilis opinions and
doubtless wrote the message subject TO
the emedati0ns of Governor 8Iorriu-
Ii is claimed by some of the Populists-
however. that Gov. MOrrIl did not have
time to read the recommendations that
he affixed his signature to, but this is
not given credence in political circles
for the ideas expressed seem to be in
keeping with the policy which the pres
ent administration has sought to carry
out
Especially is this true with regard to
the enforcement of the prohibitory law
The messa sc says
Law is but a reflection of public SEN
timent and the enforcement Of law viii
always depend upon the action of the
people. Experience has fully demon
strated that the enforcement of any
law. in opposition to the pronounced
sentiment of the community, cannot be
successfully accomplished 80
The chief reason that the Populists
give for making the charge that Cover
nor Morrill, did not read the message [
that he sent to the legislature is that
it calls attention to the need of con-
stituti0nal convention The part of the
message that does this assigns as the
reasons for the recommendation that
there is need for a longer time for the
sitting Of the legislature. that the SUI
preme court should be enlarged by adj
ditional judges so that it could keep up
with the business that comes before it.
greater restriction should be placed on
the power of the legislature TO appro-
pirate moneys and the governor should
be given the power to veto any separate
pf9FislOn of an appropriation bill. the
letting a convict labor should be abol-
lsneQ. the right Of action for personal
injuries resulting in death should be
guaranteed by the constitution clear
ana well defined limitations on corpOr-
axe power should be made and tax
imposed on the charters OF all cOmpa-
MES the prohibition of trusts a limit on
the value Of the homestead exemption.
tt11 custom QL the use of passes or
franks by public officials the prohibi-
riOn of members OF the legislature hold
ing appOintiVe offices during the term
Tor which they are elected to the Ies-fs-
lature and q change in the mana cement
or the permanent school fund
All these reasons are now being urged
or those that are in favor of a crlnsrf
tat1onal convention, and as there seems
TO De disposition to make this question
party issue, the Republicans being
against a convention and the PODulists
IN favor of it, the Populists now saw
thar MI Morrill, could not have read
lhe message which he signed or he
would not have furnished them a-gu-
nents 20 use ON their side of the ques-
tiQn now
1t viii be seen. however. that this is
merely campaign thunder Gov Nor
tAils III we take his message for it. is for
a eo1stllutional convention; but it is