The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-03
ECONOMY PLEA.
Governor Writes a Letter to
the Representatives.
Urges That the Republicans
Make a Record.

Governor Stanley has declared against
legislative extravaganza and against
the employment of useless clerks and
other unnecessary expenditures.
The governor has taken this subject
TO the members of the forthcoming leg
islature by personal letters. Among the
first to reach the members elect were
those mailed to Shawnee county'S legis-
latOrs- Senator John Z. CLANCY was
first in this list, receiving today the
governors communication which fol-
lows:
THE legislature soon to meet will be
Republican in both .branches-the first
time in twelve years The last Repubn-
can legislature was in 1889. The next
will be in 1901.
1.-THE legislature which met in 1889
was composed Of 40 senators and l4l
members and delegates of the house,
making a total of 1S1 members. That
legislature had in its service 40 en-
plOyes, and the total expense of the
session was $62, ,532. so.
'.The last legislature had 16 fewer
members and Sc more employ yeS-the
total number of employees being 2S6.
The total expense of members and eIll-
ployes in 1889 was $62, ,592. so; in 1899,
S79, ,6O5.17 although there were 16 fewer
members of the legislature.
1T is hardly necessary to say that
this increase of more than $4,000 in the
expense of the legislature of 1899 over
that of 1889 was wholly unnecessary.
and was made up largely in paying
names appeared upon the pay roll, but
who never performed any actual ser
vices for the state or for the legislature
The abuse of finding places for favorlteS
with nothing to do, caused this large
increase in expenditure of more than Y
per cent, and provoked considerable dis
cussiOn and criticism. Since 1889, critic
ism has largely been d1Sarned by the
fact that the house and senate have,
generally, been Of opposite political par
ties, and one was as much to blame for
this added expense as the other
'-The next legislature will be Republi-
can in both branches, and the Republic
can party viii be compelled to meet the
entire responsibility for the expense in
cident to such session 1t is OF the ut
most Importance that the members of
the legislature exercise the greatest
caution in avoiding those things that
will be the subject of just criticism.
AT the commencement of the present
administration, the tax levy was in
creased. Two things seemed to render
this imperative: The preceding admin
istratiOn had left a large deficiency OF
more than 100000. This had to be met.
A large levy was necessary to erect
buildings at nearly all Of the public in
stitutions The sum necessary for that
purpose amounted to more than half a
million of dollars. This large sum was
wisely expended, and the people approved
the action of the legislature in making
that appropriation.
some extraordinary appropriations
will be asked at the coming session of
the legislature, An attempt will be
made to secure an appropriation to en-
able Kansas to make an exhibit at the
Pan-American exposition, to be held at
Buffalo. n. Y. An appropriation will al
so be asked for the Semi Centennial ex-
hibitiOn at Topeka in 1904. I trust that
before coming to Topeka, you will talk
with your, people and get the sentiment
of your community as to these appropri-
atiOns:
.'First-Whether they feel it wise to
make an appropriation for the purpose
of enabling this state to make an exhib-
it at Buffalo.
'-Second-W Whether they are in favor OF
an appropriation for the Semi Centen-
NAL Exhibition here.
I am satisfied that the members Of
the legislature will come here prompted |
by an honest desire to do the right |
thing, and that the Republican members !
will attempt to prevent such extrava-
gance as would be the subject Of critic !
ism. I believe the state can afford to |
enterprises that will be of benefit to the |
state. but can not afford to make apprO- |
priatiOns to schemes or enterprises that |
viii not do the state any good.
Il have no suggestions to make other |
than as indicated abOve-that you viii |
ascertain before coming here the real !
sentiment of your people upon these |
questions, that your actions may be in |
perfect accord with the desires of the |
people you represent. I have great faith 1
in the people. and If we conform to their |
wishes and use our best efforts for the i
betterment of the public service, I be- |
secure in the confidence of the people for /
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