The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-12

freight rates: in fact. the overcharge
above what is a reasonable and fair
charge on grain upon the crop now exist
ing the state of Kansas, would pay all
the charges of Completing such a road,
it herself. Such a road, when completed,
would place the people of this state N
transportation far as the railroad COM
panies and the federal courts were con-
cerned, and l do not believe that such a
move would be Injurious to the railroad
companies in the long run
tract a great and constantly increasing
business by drawing traffic III that di-
the railroads would be compelled to carry
freight would be made up in the volume
of business. The state OF New York by
completing the Erie canal and keeping
the tolls at a low rate, has caused the
commerce of the country to flow in that
direction so as to make it the great COM
mercial metropolis of the country. but
this. did not retard the building of rail
with it; in fact the finest railroad in the
world, with four tracks, was built for the
purpose or competing with this canal for
business. The total amount of money eX-
pended by the state of New York upon
locations. has been SIG. O60.O 900, and the to
tai receipts therefrom have been $122-
profited so vastly by pursuing this course,
L think it would be policy for the west to
quit taking their advice on commercial
affairs and begin to follow their exam
pie And elsewhere. where it has been
necessary to compete with water trans
roads have never heSitated to enter into
that competition. The haul from Chicago
east to the Erie canal is greatly reduced,
because water transportation makes it
necessary. The haul from st. Louis to
New Orleans is also made at low rate
in order to compete with water transpor-
tation. These railroads that do business
with water transportation are in as good
condition, financially, as railroads which
do not have to compete in such a way
therefore. 1t seems to me that it would
be wise for the legislature to ask the
legislatures of Texas and Nebraska,
whose state laws have been set aside,
and annulled, as ours have been, to con-
slider the feasibility of such a plan, in
case the laws that hope viii be passed
by this legislature should fail of success.
EVIDENCE IN DIVORCE CASES.
Recent decisions of our courts indicate
that the statutory rules of evidence in
divorce cases are decidedly defective, and
their enactment. This matter Should re-
ceive the early. indeed the immediate at
tention of the legislatures.
ATTENDANTS AT THE ASYIJyAIS
In my judgment the attendants and
nurses for the insane, the blind and the
by reason of fitness and should never be
removable for political reasons The re-
pie is too great to be the foot ball of fac
MORTGAGE LEGISLATION
A great deal of complaint comes from
over the state in regard to mortgages
made and executed in this state, which
have been made as rule. to companies
organized under the laws of our state for
the purpose of loaning money. These
mortgages are sold in the east and in
many cases the party who struggles
through and pays his loans finds that he
has been Swindled and in order to clear
his title he must again pay the amount
or lose his home. Section 1889. should be
so amended as to require every assigns
ment of mortgage or note secured bv
the county where the real estate is To-
Gated. This in great measure. viii guard
against any recurrence of these swindles
which are unjust and work hardship 10
mt
ment will enable the debtor to deal d.
rectly with his creditors without the in
prevention of somebody who preys upon
the necessities of both
BANKS AND BANKING.
The banking business involving as It
does to so large an extent all other in
terests including the care of the cash
properly made and the subject of state
supervision and contract. The wisdom of
by the improved condition of cur banks
from year to year since the adoption of
the present banking law. The experiences
of our banking department. during the
last four years of bank failures and fin
ancial panics has been such as to enable
the bank commissioner to observe the
defects in our law and to qualify him to
suggest proper and necessary amend
In his third biennial report the bank
commissioner recommends the adoption
of new banking law, a draft of which
appears in said report.
1 am of the opinion that this proposed
law embraces many provisions thatshould
IL
the careful consideration of the legisla-
ture:
These associations being entrusted with
the weekly or monthly savings of many OF
supervision. Foreign loan associations
should be required to deposit ample Sc
curity with the state treasurer to pro-
tect their Kansas investors. 1 heartily
concur in the recommendations of the
bank c!om1missioner and secretary Of
LOAN, TRUST AND INVESTMENT
COMPANIES.
The mismanagement and .rascality Of
loan companies in the past has resulted
in bringing Kansas securities into disre-
pute in many localities in the east. I am
of the opinion that the legislature should
take the necessary steps to prevent the
organization of this class of institltions
except under proper restrictions and with
to their customers The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
OF the bank commissioner with refer
ence to these institutions are worthy of
COAL MINES AND MINERS.
From the state mine inspector report
l find that there were mined in 1895. $780,
S43 tons of coal valued at So, $50, al. Nine
thousand and twenty-one men and thir-
ty-six boys were employed in the indus
less than in 1894. owing no doubt to the
fact that excessive freight rates and low
priced corn made it cheaper for farmers
IN the western and central portions OF
the state to burn their corn rather than
coal. The miners and mine owners of the
state will ask for certain legislation bear
ing on this important industry which I
respectfully ask you to give careful con-
sideration so that employer and employe
shall have as near possible an equal
and just standing before the law and the
courts. The mining companies issue
script to their employees. redeemable in
goods at their store. 1t should be made
redeemable in cash once a month.
BUREAU OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY.
The commissioner of labor statistics
submits the eleventh report of this de-
partment- The bureau Possesses possi-
bilities Of great usefulness and especially
is this true under present economic con-
ditions while the relations between labor
and capital are of such vital Importance.
The commissioner makes some SUCCESS
tions to needed legislation to which
your attention is called
ADJIJTANT GENERAL
The report of the adjutant general
shows this department in good condition
The state militia now has an enrolment
of 1O3 officers and 14S0 enlisted men. Your
III Ai-,r, iAc.l Ii