Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-01-20
GOV. LEEDY's MESSAGE.

Governor Leedy's message to the leg
islature is an able and timely document
1t neither disappoints his friends
nor gives advantage to his enemies,
politically speaking. The governor is
not the radical aDd unreasonable man
that the opposition has represented him
but man of sound, practical business
sense. The message advises economy
in all the different institutions and de-
partments of the state, but not to such
an extent as to imperil any of our edu-
cational, charitable and penal institu-
tons. He strongly recommends the
impTo Tement of these institutions to
meet the requirements OF our growing
population, and, dwelling on the sub
ject of charitable and penal institu-
tions, he deplores the fact that condi-
tions are such that the unfortunates
who must be cared for in this manner
are increasing at an unusually large ra-
ito. But since We have them among US
he says that it is the duty of the state
to care for them in humane and SAM
tary way.
The governor strikes a powerful blow
at those of the East-especially the cas-
tern press-who are continually decry-
Ing the state of Kansas. and no one can
read his remarks along this channel
without deep feeling of admiration
for the chief executive of the state. He
says he is proud of the fact that Kansas
has less illiteracy, less vagrancy and
less restitution among her people, ac-
cordlng to population, than New York,
Pennsylvania aid other states equally
notorious for their abuse of the Sun
flower state. He also drops the re
ton of destitute children from these
! states to be educated, clothed and fed
by Kansas charity. He is DESTROYS that
all Kansas children be we'll looked after
but thinks the line should be drawn
when it comes to caring for those of the
boasttul states of the effete east.
The message is particularly strong IN
dealing with corporations and railroads.
This, of course, was expected because
of the governors familiarity with these
institutions. He does not. as some OF
his political opponents predicted, advo-
cate the humiliation of these branches
of industry but he simply insists that
the state shall put itself III position
to control them and keep them within
decent bounds. Among other things
calculated to bring about these results
is maximum freight rate law and a
reduction of passenger and express
rates generally. He also calls attention
| to the Infamous practices in vogue al
tho Kansas City Stock yards and asks
that steps be taken looking toward
their correction
Taken as whole the message is z
thorough review of the conditions OF
our state. 1t suggests remedies in line
with the demands made by the Peoples
party, neither radical nor extreme, bu
such measures that will inure to The
best interests of the people generally
Ii the governors advice will be followed
by The legislature-and it no doubt vii
the people Of Kansas can expect som,
substantial relief. Of course it canno
be expected that the good accomplished
by state legislation can overcome tn,
evil brought about by national laws
but in these times of hardship small
amount of relief will be gladly receive,
by suffering people. This much &C
complished, the Peoples party Will gan
favor with some who are now it's enc
mics and if we continue faithful t,
campaign promises it will not be lon,
until the new party is in control of til,
national congress. If we would sue
coed at all, we must succeed gradually
and the first step will be taken whel
the governors recommendations ar
followed IN state matters.