Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-11-22

amendments I bespeak your earnest
consideration. This IL an intricaee mat
ter that will require your careful and
serious thought. Should you ind that
any amendment has been proposed by
Inadvertcnce or by reason OF Its char
acter and effect not being fully ap-
parent ut the time of its passage. II
should be repealed. However, ! am
strongly convinced that the people OF
this state are able to handle the funda-
mental law OF the state In most salts
factory and intelligent manner. and
that when once committed to them they
will take such action upon II as the
best Interests and rights of the people
demAnd.
In regard to corpor,.te legislation. II
must In remembered that whatever
materially affects the interests OF the
corporations corrcspondingly Affects
the welfare OF the people OF tho state.
Int we must Also remember that IL IN
from the state and Its resources that
they derive their great wealth AMI
power. and thut the people should have
something to say as TO how that power
is used and that wealth acquired. In
the early days. when our state wns
new, and It's development had not
reached that unprecedented stage upon
, may have been some necessity for
charging high freight and passenger
| rates. Hut since the state hns dcvel-
oped. with Its multitudinous farms.
cities and villages. with the opening OF
new mines and new Industries, with nn
! enormously increased traffic In both
freight and passengers. the tribute
these corporations lay upon our people
" indeed oncrous and cSacting. nnd !
believe that this session OF the Lcg!sin-
turc should take steps 10 remedy this
great evil md curb. ut least To some cN-
tent. the aE.rcssions OF our great rail-
| road corporations. The future pros
pcrity and welfare OF our people de
! mnnds that this session OF the tcIisin.
turc take cosnixancc OF this serious sit
1 unilon and that the necessary relief be
afforded them.
However. the matter OF tho greatest
nnd utmost Importance for your aiien-
! tion Ii the enactment Of a revenue law
that will insure sufficient revenue for
the necessary expenses Of the state gov.
crnmcnt and Of the state Institutions.
This IL primarily the object In calling
you together. The state looks to you
| for the needed relief. and do not b.
iIcve thnt the appeal will he In vain.
I believe you will enact a law that will
bc Just and fair to NIL. In the operation
OF which no one Will have Just cause
for complaint. I sincerely hope and
trust that ms few bills will be Intro
duccd ns possible. only such bills being
Introduced rs nrc actually necessary to
properly cover the matters mentioned
In the call. ! also wish TO express the
hope that you will complete tho work
ns speedily ms possible. and with ns III.
tie expense to the state rs mny he.
However. In the performance OF your
4 duty I do not desire such expedition ms
Will cmbafrass you In the right per-
7 formnncc OF your duty. or such cSpcdi.
I ilon rs IL Inconsistent with the passage
/ of carefully considered md absolutely
constitutional measures. DO not bc
turned from the plain path OF your
! duty by those who see In the assem-.
bla.c OF the people nm investigation
into affairs TINT may disturb their par.
ticular monopoly.
The calling OF the Legislature IT,
\ gcihcr IL a most solemn occasion. You
| should not bc unmindfni OF the fact
that ns representatives Of the people
great responsibility rests upon you. The
matters before you cannot bc treated
In n light or frivolous manner. I be-
licvc the intelligence md patriotism OF
tho Thirteenth General Assembly IL OF
such high character that IL will he
enabled to comprchcnsivciy grasp the
situation and deaf with II In mn cGui'n-
bic and unswcrvabic fairness to all con.
ccrncd.
II Is your sworn duty to conscicn.
tiousiy and earnestly consider the mat.
icrs herein presented. and give heed to
your own conscicnccs as TO the right
and Justice OF such matters: then you
will have discharged your duty To the
ststc and your constituents.