The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-01-16

tlOn IL presents IS whether n free popu.
lar government shall be maintained il
America. If coercion, moral or physi
cal, such as we witnessed in the last
campaign, Is to go 6nrebuked, govern
ment by the people is nearing its END
and we are entering on an era of gov
eminent by an oligarchy of opulenl
employers. L recommend the enact
ment OF such laws as will no only pro-
tect the voter in the free exercise OF
his franchise, but will make it perilons
for any man to interfere with his right.
FOR THE TWO LARGE CITIES.
The election law passed by the last
legislature has yielded fairly satisfactory
results in st. Louis and Kansas CITY,
but the experience gained in II last
election shows the need of amendments
in some essential particulars. The polls
should be kept open until Z O'Clock for
the benefit of working men n clerks.
Where there is difficulty in getting salts
factory election officers among the resi-
dents of a precinct the right should
be given to select them from other
precincts. The work of the judges and
clerks would be rendered less laborious
and they should be better paid. The
present omnibus ballot IS a source of
trouble and annoyance and it should be
abolished. There is no reason why any
ballot should be thrown out. The law
should not make voters 30 complicated
as to vitiate the ballots of intelligent
citizens. In my judgement it would
not be be to our interests if the Austria
Ian ballot law should be so amended as
to apply only to cities having 9
10, 900 Inhabitants.
II warmly and unequivocally indorse
that plank in the democratic platform
upon which 1 was elected which declares
in favor of a fellow servants law. l
earnestly hope that this legislature will
regard this mandate and enact a law
that will meet the expectations of the
railroad employees of the state.
Our educational and e~ieemosynary
institutions must be maintained In their
high state of efficiency, and no back
ward step will be taken, but economy
must mark the conduct Of those in
charge Of them.
FOR UNIVERSITY AND SCHOOLS.
mo interest in Missouri should be
more carefully guarded or more vigor-
ously promoted than her public school
system. Her schools should all be
encouraged by wise legislation and sup
ported as they have always been, by
ample appropriations. The state !
sity, which is the cap-sheaf of our public
school system, is entitled to and will
doubtless receive at your hands that
consideration which it has always
received, and which will enable it to
take front rank among the institutions
of America. If the necessity ever
existed for a Missouri youth to leave his
own state for education, it should be
removed by such judicious fostering of
our own institution as will not only
keep our boys and girls at home, but
milf leo M, 70 Micontri fhn annhifinuo Of
other states. L have conferred with
Governor Stone and 1 have read that
portion of his message concerning the
endowment fund for the university. L
approve of the suggestions he makes to
you on this subject.
Among the many subjects that will
engage your attention is the improve
ments of our public highways. Good
roads will not only enhance the value of
prosperity of all our cities, towns and
villages. Some provision should DO
made for their systematic and perma-
nent improvement, N | commend the
to your serious consideration.
The question of criminal costs merits
your earnest attention. These costs
have grown to alarmingly enormous
proportions, and a considerable portion
of the states revenue is required to
llquidate them. l ask your attention to
proper legislation by correcting this con
increasing demand upon our
AS TO CONSTITUTION REVISION.
MANY of the most eminent iurists of
state and a large number of prominent
citizens have expressed to me the opin-
ion that a convention should be called
an early date to revise the conStitu-
/ am not certain that such a
convention is necessary, but whether so
or not 1t is a question, L believe, of suf-
ficient importance to merit your careful
attention. The present constitution
was adopted oyer twenty years ago, 1t
has many excellent provisions which
should be preserved, hut it also has
many provisions that might. as believe
be expunged or materially changed to
the advantage of the state. l concur In
the view that our fundamental law
should be liberalized in some directions
and broadened in its general scope so as
TO adapt itself better to the requirements
Of the present day. Some have expressed
an apprehension that it might be unsafe
to attempt to remodel the constitution,
but when we remember
that any change the convention might
propose could not be made affective
until adopted by the people, | see no
reason for apprehension. The people
ian certainly both trust and taxi care
Of themselves. L at least hope the gen
sral assembly will take this matter
under advisemept and give it such
elaboration as 1t may deserve.
TRUSTING IN DIVINE GUIDANCE.
"In conclusion, let me again remind
you that to you and to me have the
interests of the people been
/ have an abiding faith that
shall be able to rise above party zeal
md fractional spirit in a hearty co-opera-
lion for the promotion of those interests.
It is only by so doing that we can merit
the confidence which has been reposed
Offense. Approaching the grave respon-
5ibilities of my position and fully sensi-
BILE of my own infirmities, l trust our
Heavenly Father will guide me to see
the right and give me the courage to do
1t. We must at all times remember our
dependence upon that Supreme
Being without whose guidance and help
can accomplish nothing great and
good. l invoke upon our great and
and beloved state and all of our people
ard YOU actions the blessings of
Almighty God"
MIR. STONE CALLED FORWARD.
When Governor Stephens had finished
his address, the audience called so vocif-
for Mr.. Stone that Senator
Peers, who was acting AZ chairman Of
the joint meeting, called him to the
platform. Though it was an unusual
proceeding, Mr.. Stone spoke briefly,
complimenting Stephens and thanking
the people for their compliments to him.
The joint session dissolved soon after
o'clock and the house oon after adj
until tomorrow morning. The
senator's returned to the senate chamber
where Lieutenant Governor O'Meara
delivered his farewell address.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RoLTE.
Lieutenant Governor Bolte was sworn
In by Chief Justice Barclay in the pres
ence of the senators, and spoke us fol-
"In assuming the duties of the office
lieutenant governor, to which the
good citizens of this, my native state,
have seen fit to elevate me, it is proper
that [ should return to them my thanks
for the honor they have conferred upon
me, which | now do with all my heart.
Missouri is a grand state. Her star
among the brightest. Her elee-
mOsynary aud other institutions rank