Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1901-01-19
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Makes a Good Showing for the
Schools of State.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
SOME

Topeka, Jan 1O.-Governor Stanleys
the longest on record, exceeding one of
Governor Humphreys which has stood
as the longest.
The governors first subdivision con-
tains the following statement:
During the two years just past, the
number of school children has increased
from 425, $40 to sos, 554, we have builded
$40 school houses at a cost of more
than half million dollars and now
have an attendance in our colleges and
universities of over 10000. During the
period mentioned, the value OF our ag-
ricultural and live stock interests has
increased from $3.50, 161, 756 to 1884, 254,-
159, and our bank deposits from s44,-
SAT, 255 to S561, 1862, 637.
Our principal industries being agri-
culture and stock raising, it is a source
of qualification to know that more than
one-half of the depositors in our state
banks are farmers and stockmen, and
that more than half of the deposits in
such banks are made by these two
classes of citizens.
There has been a decrease of our
bonded Indebtedness of more than
three millions of dollars, and we pay
much lower rate of interest on our pub
lie Indebtedness. During the time
mentioned the people have reduced
their mortgage Indebtedness about
eight millions of dollars.
The message favors placing all the
educational institutions under the con-
troll of one board OF regents, composed
of six members, not more than four of
whom should belong to one political
an ex officio member, and the presiding
officer of such board in all matters re-
lating to the particular institution of
which he was the head
The question of the erection of new
buildings and maintenance of our sew
eral public institutions is one of great
Importance and calls for very serious
consideration. The state cannot afford
to be parsimonious in making needed
provisions for the maintenance of these
institutions and the care of those de-
pendent upon the state; neither can it
afford to be extravagant and prof1igate
While the Hobbies, which from time
have deemed it necessary to beseige
the members of the legislature in the
interest of appropriations for the sew
eral state institutions, will be absent,
others will be here in their places
trust that in the exercise of your wis
dom you will see no improperly in
Lob I1,o r,E+ =,
two branches of the legislature.
Of the election laws the message rec
ommends that ballots be so arranged
that voter may by single mark cast
his vote for all of the nominees of his
parry if he desires to do so: and that
there be two sets of judges and clerks
with two ballot boxes, so that the bal
lots might be counted each hour, which
would result in the counting of the
vote shortly after the closing of the
polls, with little, if any, additional ex-
pense.
A law should be enacted providing
that no mans name should appear upon
| the ballot more than once as a candi-
| date for the same office.
The governor recommends placing
the penitentiary and the reformatory
under one board of managers with
| only three members
The railroad commission subject is
T spoken of as a matter of duty of the
| legislature to enact a law creating a
board TO settle and adjust differences.
| It also endorses the recommendations
| of both the treasurer and the auditor
for legislation which will give the
state a profit upon its money while
| it is idle.
The message recommends a commits
| sion to revise the present assessment
| 70 f1,o
next legislature.