Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-01-12

include some industries peculiar to the
West, and somc which are In compe-
tltion with trusts already established.
The tremendous economic and political
influence OF these modern aggregations
needs NO discussion. Whether the evi'
can be eradicated by peaceful methods
Ii problematlcal. That It can be miti.
gated In highly probable. An enact.
mcnt whereby forfeiture and dissolu-
ton shall follow the direct or indirect
merging OF any home corporation into u
general combination OF kindred inter.
ests In other states. by whatever name
such combination shall be known. Is
urgently demanded. Let us prevent rs
far M we can the spread OF this con
taGion within our borders, and resist
by all methods known to the law the
extension OF the so-called trust system
to the pursuits which have thus fnr
go greatly promoted our prosperity and
the development of our resources.
Our convention platforms declared
Tor n reform of abuses connected with
the administration of civil affairs.
Prominent among them IL the disar-
rangement OF routlne service conse-
quent upon changes OF administration
Appointive positions involving purely
clerical or mechanical work now con-
stitute prizes to be distributed as polit-
icnl rewards ana their allotment IN apt
TO be made without due regard to the
enect OF change upon the transaction
OF public business. Efficiency In the
management of details nearly always
comes from experience. and compe-
tcncy rather than partisanship should
he made the standard of selection and
retention. As far as possible. public
anairs should be managed as private
ones are. The extension. therefore, OF
what are called civil service rules to all
grades of public employment below
positions expressly created by law and
filled ut stated periods by executive
appointment would greatly add TO the
efficiency and economy OF public I'D
ministrations.
1 commend to your careful attention
the report and recommendations OF the
board of charities and corrections
This board. serving the public interest
without reward. Inns performed con-
slant and conscientious service. which
cannot be too highly commended. The
unsatisfactory condition OF some of the
state institutions falling within the
boards inspection may be due In some
part to inadequate support. They
must also be the result Of inefficient or
negligent control and operation. That
they exist seems highly probable. Com
mittecs of investigation appointed by
you will be heartily supported by the
executive. and II abuses exist those re-
sponsiblc for them must shoulder the
consequences.
Employment Of state convicts In
some manner cOnsOnant with the well
fare of free labor is imperatively de-
manded. I realize and appreciate the
oh IN In,
the contention that where convicts are
idle free labor supports them. The
welfare of the state and the principles
of humanity alike admonish US that
confinement in idleness Is wrong, and
that by some means the time of the
unhappy inmates of our penal walls
should be occupied In self-sustnining
pursuits. A prison farm. state mines,
the construction and repair of public
roads. suggest themselves us worthy
Of consideration and MS furnishing
avenues of employment beneficial to
the convict and the state and harm
less to law-abiding workers Of the
land.
l may be parloned for suggesting
that no more noble or generous deed
be placed to the credit Of the Twelfth
General Assembly than to open the
doors of the Soldiers and Sailors
Home to the poor and stranded ex-
confederate soldier, whose days are
almost numbered, and who can find
home and shelter nowhere else. 1t
would serve to unite the bond Of
brotherhood. already strong. between
the veteran of the blue and his erst-
while adversary, spread the balm of
sweet charity over the scars Of the
past, and call down upon your heads
not only the approval of the boys in
blue, but the unspeakable blessing of
honest and grateful beneficiaries
whose long and weary and Respondent
struggle for life would be thus ended
forever.
The enactment of measures against
discrimination by carriers between
communities and individuals, for fair
and equitable adjustment of rates and
transportntions, for the regulation Of
water distribution, for the protection
and promotion of our mining, live stock
and agricultural interests readily sug-
gest themselves to yonr consideration
and solutions of these and other prob
lens of Legislation on lines of equity
and conservatism, intent upon securing
benefit to all and inficting injury to
none, l pledge you the willing cooper
alton of the executive.
The too common practice. however,
Of Introducing bills aimed at some ad-
mitted abuse, or pretending some need
ed reform, but really designed to levy
tribute upon some pursuit or franchise,
should, and, I am sure, will meet your
vigorous condemnation. The true re-
former, Jealous for the excision of
prevalent abuses, is easily distin-
guished from the blackmailer, who, in
the lobbies of the general assembly of
every state deludes well meaning men,
bers into giving the sanction of their
names and the force of their position to
specious bills with sonorous titles os-
tensibly designed for a good purpose.
once introduced they become the basis
for intrigue and robbery, method of
eXtOrtiOn and nlunder dnmnndn.1 ara