The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-01-02
On sunday SALOON
Governor 0deIl Writes in His
Annual Message.
is DANGEROUS METHOD
He Declares and May Lead to
Things Far Worse.
is DANGEROUS METHOD


S. Fred Nixon was reelected speaker of
the house and the other Republican eau
Gus nominees OF the house as well as
those of the senate, were elected. The
annual message of Governor Benjamin D.
oden. Jr. was delivered to the legis-
lature.
space in his message to a discussion par
ticularIy applicable TO New York city. In
one division of the message the COVER
nor observes that ''the almost total abo-
lition of state taxes will bring home to
the tax payers the fact that his expendi-
lures are TO be peculiarly local, and II
they are excessive the remedy rests with
him to rebuke those who are charged
with the administration OF his local af-
fairs"
The legislature is recommended to frame
q law which will give the state board of
tax commissioners greater power to en-
force the rules against excessive as well
as low assessments and to make the state
board a reviewing court to investigate and
correct inequalities in the matter of ass
essment and thus become not only med
iator as between counties of the state,
but also to serve to protect the rights
of individuals in each locality.
The governor also suggests that there
should also be a safe margin to enable
each local legislative body to absolutely
fix and determine the percentage of total
income to be expended for salaries.
In looking over the salary list OF the
city of New York" he says ut viii be
found that there are several officials who
receive a larger salary than the COVER
nor of the state, or Of the cabinet officers
of the United States. and it cannot be
claimed with any degree of truth that
the services rendered are always com
mensurate with the compensation given"
Discussing the correlated subjects Of
suptuary legislation and local option, the
governor says in part: Local option as
it relates to the liquor traffic Is under
stood as meaning that in all communities
other than cities the inhabitants thereof
shall have the right to determine whether
liquor shall be sold in such communities
six days of the week and upon the de-
termination of that question the excise
department predicates its administration.
This right was given because before the
enactment of the present excise law, 1t
was within the power OF the voters or
Of the appointing authorities in the mum
icipalities and villages 70 absolutely pro-
hibit the sale of liquor by electing or ap-
pointing a board opposed to the grant
ing of such license. It is well known
fact that in the original draft of the state
constitution, the same rights as to local
option We're sought to be given to the
municipal cities and that they do not
possess them is due to the opposition of
their own representatives. There can be
no objection to submitting this same ques-
tion to the voters of the cities If II is
so desired as il will be treating all parts
of the state alike. But if by local option
it meant the right to determine whether
the doors Of the saloons may legally re-
main open On Sundays, then a different
proposition IS presented and a departure
is proposed from the fixed rules which
have governed the administration Of our
excise laws, and il then becomes a cues
ton which concerns not only a particular
city, but every section of our state. Each
| locality owes to all others q due regard
for their rights and convictions, and their
moral and physical comfort. No such de-
parture should, therefore be sanctioned
nor power delegated TO localities touching
as this would. upon the fundamental prin-
ciples which have had their growth from
the foundation OF our country, unless
clearly desired by a majority OF the peo-
pie of the state Before submitting a ref
erendum to the cities. the whole question
should be passed upon by the people at
large in the same manner as were the
provisions, which gave the mayors the
right to veto and ether features Of home
rule now guaranteed them by the con-
stitution enacted in 1894.
IF open saloons should be authorized
IN cosmopolitan cities, demands soon
would follow for licenses from other
branches Of business, and might reach
an extent that would arouse the conscien-
ces OF every man and every woman IN
our commonwealth who believe not only
in day of rest, but in rendering to Sod.
who has blessed Us as n nation, the hon.
age that is due TO Him.
The excessive cost of receiverships OF
public or semi-public institutions IS
given attention IN the massage. the evils
! Of the present system being illustrated by
the fact that the total expenses involved
in the liquidation Of the affairs II sew
enty corporations during the past ten
years have been 81 1852 The cover
nor therefore recommends the amend
ment OF the banking and Insurance law
SC as 20 provide that all PROCEEDINGS az
/ fecting insurance and banking CORPORA
lions under the control Of the state hank
/ ing and insurance departments. shah not
only be Instituted by such departments re-
/ 5 ectively, but that they shall be placed
absolutely under their control. dun e the
liquidation.
The governor expresses his approval Of
+ The proposition 70 make the tax upon
ln--rtaa-es on realty FIVE mills. which
would produce an annual revenue Of 81
/ o9oeo and Increase the revenues from
direct taxation to ar amount ',lnost
equal 70 the annual requirements OF the
satte
In order to remedy the evasion II tax
Laws by corporations. ths governor sug-
gests that looal assessors be given aftllor-
+ IT'S 10 compel corporations = furnish
/ list OF stockhelde-s-
/ Concerning the canal situation the gov
! crnor recommends that two propositions
/ &c Submitted % the people The arst o.
these is thst the locks he enlarged 70
1 oile-i thousand TON la7se capacity aOd TIE
I construction of q uihe-foot chsHncl rom
Z Tie Hudson ri.er II Rexford Fans The
second proposition IS that ihe canal be
aeepened II uniform depzht - nine
T feet TIE cost q carrying oat the latter
( project would be Sl5.e7s.7ss
The governor also recommends thar 20
/ railway company be permitted = cross
(