The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-01-07
GOV. BTOdIGI'S Message Recommends
The Suppression OF MODS.
Economy Advocated and New
Public Buildings Suggested.
state Property is Deprecated by ToIIgate
kaiders-Wants the Separate Coach Law
Repealed-A Reform School is Urged
The Indebtedness of the State.

FRANKFORT, KY, Jan. Gov. Bradley sent
the following message to both branches of the
legislature Wednesday:
BY authority of law enacted at the last ses-
sion, the 100000 bonds were prepared and bids
taken therefor. These oonds only bear per
cent. interest payable semi-annually and have
put ten years to run, but, despite these facts
they were sold at premium of 7.47 per cent.
Ih1S is the best sale of state bonds ever made
IN the union outside the state of New York
The present bonded Indebtedness is So 483-
S9O06 The floating debt past due is $l.562-
1888; with bonded debt added it makes Il total
Indebtedness of 5000, 166 49, Resources of the
sinking fund are 1866 n
After deducting the latter amount the net
amount of Indebtedness is "a, 459 5O3.47. Of this
amount the educational bonds are not subject
TO redemption, but constitute a perpetual debt
the interest upon which is Iayable semi-annu-
ally.
To the shame of the commonwealth L am
again compelled to call your attention to the
tact that organized bands of lawleSS men have
continued and continuing their nefarious
work throughout the state, notwithS landing
the passage of legislation especially intended
toprevent their operations.
In Hancock county, in open day and without
masks or even pretenSe of secrecy, a Negro
was forcibly taken from the Jail and hung on
the public streets of HaweSville. Rewards
were promptly offered, but the coroner's jury,
doubtless composed of blind men, before whom
none but blind witnesses testified, returned
verdict that deceased had lost his life at the
hands Of persons unknown to them. There
can be no excuse or palliation for the conduct
OF the brute who was swung into eternity, but,
nevertheless, the mob, in hanging him, were
guilty of murder.
Such swift punishment is not attended by the
anguish and suffering endured by the con-
demned criminal, and does not inspire the
dread or terror of a legal execution Doubt
less. had the guilty wretch been given his
choice Of punishment, he would have selected
that melted out to him. So that, in his illegal
execution, the law was robbed of its victim,
Nhe punishment inflicted less severe than it
would otherwise have been and the law vio-
lated and trampled under foot.
AS said in my inaugural mob violence
(wh5Se home is in the breast of cowards)
should be prevented at all hazard or if COM
mitted, promptly and severely punished. 1t is
an open declaration of contempt for the laws
the courts and the administration of justice
and instead of promoting destroys the well
fare of the state. The commission of crime to
punish crime find no apologist in Christian
civilization"
In this connection allow me to call your at
tention to the inSufficiency of the law concern
ing an attempt at assault. In such caSSS,
where the person assaulted receives injury. the
law should provide punishment by confinement
in the penitentiary for not less than ten years,
or life, or by death, in the discretion of the
july. DIS the 6AU60G OF INJURY may demand.
Your attention is especially directed to the
frequent occurrence of what is called turn
pike raids" Persons engaged in this character
of crime have become more emboldened, while
iaw-abiding citizens seem to have become
paralyzed. The Martin law. although well in
tended, has failed to accomplish its purpose. 1
have faithfully tried to enforce it by offering
rewards and employing detectives, but do not
know of a single conviction under its pro-
visions. On the contrary. in many localities
public sentiment is reported as indorSing the
crime In nearly every instance wnere these
crimes have been committed the vicious are
loud-mouthed in approval, while peaceable cit
liens more or less, are owe rawed and
afraid to speak This appears strange in
a state which boasts of the proweSS of
her sons. Nevertheless, it is true. Be it
said, however, to the credit of Kentucky,
that the citizens of the greater portion
of the state condemn such high-handed out
RACES. I am satisfied in numerous instances
many of those who pose as good citizens have
winked at outlawry, because the result would
be the depreciation in value of turnpikeS. and
thus enable the counties to purchase them at
nominal prices. thereby preventing, in large
degree, the levying of taxes. Advantage has
Leen taken by some of the fiscal courts of this
condition of affairs and counties have become
benefciaries of crime which would not have
been committed but for the worthlessneSs and
cowardice of officials and the corruption of
breakers. Frequently counties have voted for
free turnpi1es by large majorities and at the
same time voted against the issuance of bonds
to pay for them. In other words they declare
they will have free roads without making COM
pensatlCn.
Under such circumstances, as might be ex-
pected turnpike stock owned by the state
which was valued at 100000 three years ago,
and which produced nearly $4,000 dividends
annually, is comparatively worthless.
In many places turnpike officials fear to ask
for guards lest their houses should be burned
or they should be aSSaSSinated. In one case
the state inspector was sent to the scene of
trouble to make the application for guards,
but on his arrival, was notified by the former
gatekeepers that they would not collect toll be-
cause of fear that the guards would not pro-
tect them, or that the guards would be soon
withdrawn when they would be killed 1t is
very clear in many places that peace officers
are in sympathy with the mob, in
others that they prefer that the out
RACES should continue and the turn
pixies be bought for a song, rather than the
county should be taxed to pay for guards. and
in others that guards can not be found who
have the courage or desire to do their duty.
Again, the friends and relations of the raiders,
and in some instances the raiders themselves.
have been appointed as guards, and promptly
surrendered to the outlaws. Arbitrary prices,
merely nominal have been placed upon some
of the roads, and the owners notified that they
must accept them or be forced to cease the col
lection of toll. But in all localities the coun-
ties have seen that pixies were assessed at
good values and taxes promptly collected. In
one instance the raiders carried their work
IN its proper conclusion by robbing the gate
keepers of the tolls
This evil, so long continued, is seeking other
fields of operation. 1t naturally occurs TO the
raiders that if tollgates can be taken with i'm
nunity. all other property can be taken in like
~ manner And so it is, these knights of tho
road have undertaken to regulate the quantity
,f tobacco the farmer should cultivate, destroy
inc his plants if he dared to disobey; have no.
titled the miller that he should charge no more
for -four than the price fixed by them, threat
ened with the shotgun and the torch farmers
who had posted their lands. If the boards were
not taken down and they allowed to hunt with
ont hindrance; and, Notwithstanding all this
iph-handed conduct not one OF the ruffianS
has been punished.
Candidates for office have been known to
onenly champion these criminals in order
m be. and have thereby BEEN elected. while
those who have stood for good govern
ment have almost universally gone down to de-
feat :.