The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-01-23

Va Z AoAobAc - va ANN
one. 1t is shared by the two houses OF the gem
eral assembly and by the governor. No more
important duty can be imposed upon any body
OF men than that OF making laws for the gov
eminent OF 4 great state. Laws should be en-
acted solely to promote the public good. Men
clothed with power to make laws should not be
influenced in their action by prejudice, by fear
or favor, or by any unworthy motive.
They should measure their conduct
by. a standard of scrupulous pro-
priety. They should StrenuOusly refuse TO
do any act or put themselves in any position
which would compromise their integrity, fetIer
their independence or impair their Usefulness.
They should remember always that public
offices were not established to become private
snaps, but to subserye the public need anu 10
promote the general welfare. They should
refrain with special care from becoming i'll any
wise obligated 10 those who may have a selfish
interest in securing or preventing legislation.
The man who Is not absolutely free to do what
he thinks is right is unfit for public station.
There should not be too much legislative
tlnkering. There is such q thing as excess in
legiS alton. More harm than good is done by
the mere accumulation Of statutes New laws
should be enacted only when manifestly re-
Quired TO remedy some substantial defect in
existing laws, to right some undOuDtcd wrong,
TO correct some positive evil or to meet the ex-
igencies OF new conditions as they arise in the
development OF a great and progressive state.
Along these lines, which l am confident you
will approve. let us Cooperate in an earnest
effort to make the work OF this general assem-
bly, honOrably conspicuous In the legislative
history OF the state.
There is important work to do and 1 hope 1t
will be done in o business way. My chief am
billion Is to make this administration dis
tinctively a business administration. and l
pray you to make this legislature in the strict
est sense a business Legislature. Too great
expedition is not to be recommended, but VT
must not forget that the session is limited to
30 days 1T a per diem sufficient to pay the ac-
tual expenses of those in attendance. We
should proceed judiciOusly ami deliberate
" We should not act until We fully comprehend
each given situation and Observation-Disclosures
the force and effect of what We propose to do.
While all this is but the part of prudence. my
experience of several years at the capital con-
vinceS me that it is too often the case that the
first few weeks OF the legislative session are
practically wasted. 1t not unfreQuently hap
pens that half the session expires before the
general assembly begins in earnest to take up
quently prolonged without apparent reason,
result in pOstpOning the important work
OF the body until near the close Of
the session, when members, having grown
weary and impatient, become anxious to re-
turn to their homes and private affairs. The
legislature is then in poor condition TO trans
act business with the intelligent and deliberate
care that should characterize the proceedings
of such a body. This condition results ~inevita-
bly, in great confusion, when not only are mis-
takes apt to be made and the most important
matters neglected, but it furnishes an oppor-
tunity for the scheming lobbyist to score his
triumphS.
PartisanshIp should be moderated II not sup
pressed and unseemly strife should be avoided.
Guided by patriotism and common sense we
should go forward with our work like practical
men moving with dignity. courage and conf
denCe. Let us not strive to see how many laws
We can pass, but rather endeavor to prove how
good we can make our legislation. Let US first
take up those matters of the greatest moment
and OF the most imposing import, and, by CO.
operation, labor to accomplish results as near
ly satisfactory as possible.
You are already informed by the message Of
Gov. Stone that at the very threshold OF the
ensuing biennial period We are confronted with
@ fiscal condition that NAV prove embarrass-
ing unless we proc eed with the greatest care
and devise some remedy to relieve the situa-
tiOn. During the last two years the outgoing
administrator has been hard pressed to make
the revenue collected meet the demands Gre
Rted by the last appropriations. II Is a subject
wi b which l am tolerably familiar by reason
OF my connection with the treasury, and it is
sufficient for me to say that / tndorse the
observations and recommendations made
by the governor. This is a matter to which We
must address ourselves at once and 1 invite
your earnest assistance IN solving the problem
and in removing the difficulties In our path
The most rigid economy must be practiced
by ali departments, not only because 1t is right
as Il governmental policy, but more especially
because it Is imperatively demanded by the
eXigencies confronting us. 1t Is my opinion
that under the prevailing gold standard and
financial policies OF the federal government.
general business conditions will not
materially or permanently improve,
ably anticipate a continuance OF this expert
ence which has so distressed the country in
recent years. see uOL0l0R III the immaculate
future to warrant q substantial hope for better
times. 1t is the part Of wisdom that the rep
reSeutatives of the people should keep these
things in mind when they come to provide for
the public revenue and to make apDroprta-
tions; but no matter how economically We may
administer the Affairs Of state, the con-
stantIy growing needs Of the public service
incident to a large increase in population and
business developments, make 1t impossible
that appropriations should be confined to the
present volume Of business II that volume
should remain stationary as 1t will, subSsan-
italy, in the absence Of further legislation
There Is q positive necessity for an increase
in the treasury receipts. This l believe can
be done in q measure, as in my Judgment II
should be, by such amendments and condi-
tions to the tax laws aswill decrease the burdens
of farming and kindred industries, and impose
O taxation on those who are enjoying public
franchises and special privileges granted TO
them by law and for which under existing con-
ditions they make no adequate returns. But,
whatever you may deem it most wise to do. the
situation is one which presents o legislative
subject OF the first importance and its consid-
Grafton should not be delayed.
Passing from this, l desire to suggest several
other subjects which ! regard IS
Importance and to which / invite your most
thoughtful attention. Irecommend the estab-
iisbment Of a banking bureau, and that the
Office OF bank commissioner be created. This
offcer should be given charge OF private banks,
and all banks organized under state laws. build
Ing and loan associations and trust companies.
The compensation Of this ofacer should b SUM-