The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-11
COLORADO INAUGURATION.-
Governor Charles s. Thomas Take
the Oath of Office at Denver.

Denver, Jan. 11-Charles S. Thomas
was inaugurated governor OF Colorado
yesterday, the oath of office being adj
ministered by Chief Justice Campbell
The governor then delivered his inaug-
ural address, at the conclusion of which
the other state officers-elect were sworn
in. The inaugural exercises were held
in the hall of the house of representa-
tives which was beautifully decorated
with the national colors.
A large audience was in attendance
and at the close of the exercises the
governor held a public reception.
Governor Thomas inaugural address
was devoted entirely to the discussion
OF state affairs. He called attention to
the fact that the revenues have been
dwindling while expenditures were
swelling and said financial disaster can
be averted only by keeping the public
expenditures as low as the demands of
a healthy public service will permit and
by securing a system of assessments
which will reach and return at fair
valuation, the taxable property Of the
cOmmonw ealth.
FAvORS INHERITANCE TAX.
Among other tax reforms, the COVER
nor recommended an inheritance tax.
He strongly advised looping off all I'M
necessary offices and retrenchment in
every direction possible. He recon-
mended the abolition of the various
boards which now have charge of the
state institutions and the creation of a
single board of control. He recon-
mended the abolition of the court of
appeals and an increase of the number
of judges in the supreme court. He
suggested amendment of the insurance
laws so as to encourage the organiza-
ton of local joint stock and mutual
companies with view of keeping in the
state a portion of the money now paid
to foreign insurance companies, amount
ing to over 3d. 900 annually. Insur-
ance companies on the Mutual assess
ance companies on the mutual assess
ted from doing business in the state or
required to deposit securities for the
protection of their state policy holders.
He recommended various amendments
of the election laws, including abolition
of the of emblemS; legislation to
abolish the truck, or scrip system en-
ployed by some corporations in payment
of their employees and the creation of
the office of state superintendent OF
banks.
CALLS ATTENTION TO TRUSTS.
On the subject Of trusts Governor
Thomas said:
1.-The combinations known as trusts
have naturally fiourished and expanded
under the friendly influences Of the
present administration. In the process
of absorption they have overlooked
nothing. The few pursuits which yet
are outside the charmed circle are pres
ent subjects of investigation. They in
c1ude some Industries peculiar to the
west and some which are in competition
| with trusts already established. The
tremendous economic and political in
| f1uence of these modern aggregations
| Il6GQ uO Q1SCOSSIOI1 w AACtA1CA AA1O ONAA
can be eradicated by peaceful methods
is problematica1. That it can be reg
ulated is highly probable. An enact
ment whereby forfeiture and dissolution
shall follow the direct or indirect merg
| ing of any home corporation into gen
eral combination of kindred interests in
other states, by whatever name such
combination shall be known, is urgent
| ly demanded. Let US prevent, as far as
we can, the spread of this contagion
| within our borders, and resist by all
methods known to the law the extern
| sion of the so-called trust system to the
| pursuits which have thus far so great
| ly promoted our prosperity and the de-
VeIopment of our resources.
Separation of church and state is an
| admitted essential to constitutional
government. Every reason upon which
| that doctrine is founded demands a like
| divorce between the trusts and the
state. If the remedy suggested be Sc
we're it must be remembered that the
| disease is desperate. Many of our sis
| ter commemorative are helpless in the
| presence of creatures they have brought
| into being but can no longer control.
| Let US profit by their mournful example
| if we would avoid their fate"
The governor recommended the ap-
| pointment of a legislative committee
| to investigate the character of all ex-
| cess warrants, said to have been issued
| in violation of law and held in various
portions of the country with a view to
| legislation concerning them for the best
| interests of all parties concerned. In
ed action for the destruction, or re-
| of "a