Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1903-01-22

the assessors found but s.. 100000 for tax
alton. and the total assessment. of per-
sonal property was but $of 100000. or
$S.VO0O1Q less than our holdings OF money
alone. As in 1878. the farmer, the small
home owner. the possessor of real estate
ana the owner OF visible personal prop
erty, such as the stockman and merchant,
pay five-six1lis OF the tax; and the rail-
roads pay the rest:
Besides this. there are elaring In
equalities between the assessment IN adj
joining counties, and consequent ineQual-
tiles In the burden OF both state and
county government.
These Inequalities and injustices have
attracted the attention of our lawmaking
power for many years. and many at
tempts have been made to adjust the
law to new conditions, but the brief time
allowed by the session has prevented a
comprehensive and satisfactory plan. and
SO thoroughly has this been proven that
the session of 1901 adopted the plan which
has been followed with success in most of
the Northern and Western states in re-
cent years. of State Tax Commission.
The commission consisted of representa-
tives of both houses and certain state Of
Ulcers, and was empowered TO sit in va
cation and prepare a new tax law. The
attention of the commission was called
To the evils above 'recitedi and IL was
particularly directed to provide for the
fuller assessment of personal property.
The commission so constituted has ex-
pended much time and thought upon a
bill and report which will be submitted to
you. 1t has collected a large amount of
information. Investigated the laws of
other states and their operation, and its
obtained will be of value to you in con-
sidering this subject. Without comment
ing upon the bill prepared or assuming
to pass any opinion upon it's merits,
invite your earnest attention to it's var
ious features, with the sincere hope that
you will not permit the work of the COM
mission to be lost by a failure to act in
this matter, and that you will be able,
starting with their work. to formulate a
law that will bring upon the tax-rolls the
vast amount OF personal property that
now escapes, thereby tightening the bur-
den borne by the farmer, the home owner,
the merchant, and all who own real
estate and visible personal property.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE GEM ENNIAL
EXPOSITION.
For the purpose of exhibiting the re-
sources and showing 10 the world the
Industrial. commercial and social progress
OF our state, the Louisiana purchase
Centennial Exposition Commission of
Kansas was created by an act of the
last legislature, and directed to assume
and exercise all powers necessary to Sc
cure a complete and creditable display Of
the interests of the state at the interna-
tional exposition to be held at st. LOUIS
in 1908, and to select site and erect
thereon buildings for such display.
This commission, pressing the tact that
Kansas was the first state to make an
| appropriation. succeeded in securing one
of the best sites awarded to any state.
The collection of exhibits had begun and
plans and specifications for building
are being considered.
Such appropriations should be made as
will enable kansas to assume her place
of proper eminence at this exposition and
to present display which will be an in
ducement to investment in and lmmigra-
ton to this portion of the territory COW
cred by the Louisiana purchase: IN; Inc
postponement of the exposition until 10O4
will necessitate such amendments TO the
law as are necessary to meet the changed
conditions.
DTTpL,ATT on TARnR AND MINISTRY >.
The report of the commissioner of labor
is a collection of data with special REF
erence to the industrial interests OF the
state. Certain legislation Is recommended
concerning labor that believe worthy or
your consideration, especially that refer
ring to the prohibition of child labor I'M
der the age of fourteen years in factories
and workshops. except under certain con-
ditions prescribed by law; also, Just
and equitable arbitration and concllla-
tion law, in order to better protect the
Industrial interests OF the state against
the disastrous effects of long-draWn-out
strikes, and at the same time guarantee
justice and fairness to employer ana eHi-
NATIONAL GUARD.
1 recommend a just and liberal sup
port of the organized militia OF the state
1t is composed of nearly 400 young men,
who give their services to the state with
| out compensation, except during the prlei
period while in attendance al the annual ANN a.
| encampment. The general government is
| liberal in supplying all needed equipment
| the expense devolving upon the state De,
ing for the maintenance OF the ORGANIZED
companies and batteries. The annual
appropriations made by the government
to Kansas for equipments amount 70
| S21. 241S2, but 1t is contingent on the
| organization and support of suf1icient
| militia The government has awakened
| to the necessity of a revision OF the ob,
| solete national militia laws, ana DlIl
now pending in Congress makes still more
| liberal provisions for the support OF the
| National Guard. II the bill now before
Congress becames 4 law, it Will De neces-
| sary to amend the state militia ACT u
| harmonic it with certain provisions Oh
| the national law. -
/ believe in an organized and efficient
militia, and / trust the state of Kansas
will cooperate with the national gov
| eminent in all efforts toward improve
| ment, and will literally aid the move
ments tending to the deVelopmehi VI ths
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The State Historical Society is now pro
| vided with satisfactory accommodations
| for the care and proper exhibit OF the
| collections showing the trials ana accom-
| plishments of our people in creating TINS
| splendid commonwealth No state ma
had a more inspiring history; and now
| that the work of the society is in order
ii is a source of qualification that lioera
! s1nport by the legislature has always
| heen accorded, instead of leaving thu
| patriotic service to individual effort. Al
| Kansans should be proud OF the soclet.
| and its work, and heartily commend
| 70 the lerislature for continued consid
| Grafton and liberality. A proper catalogu
ing of the collecting has been reason
ably well kept up. ana wouia SUES q
| that, upon its completion, catalogue o.
| the Kansas portion, at least, be pupllsheu
| that it may be more available TO TN
| general public.
| 1 call your attention to the lavish vast
of the public money in the printing o
useless and unnecessary Pubic ooco o
| ments. The law. in many instances, pro
| vides for the publishing OF reports am
| documents far beyond and demand o
| necessity, and. as result. the sIo =,
| rooms of the capitol building are rapidly
| filling up with this matter that is wors
| than useless. 1 am sure a careful inspeG
| ton OF this accumulated material WI
| convince any legislator OF the necessil!
| OF reform along this line: -,rsrc
| THE FISH AND GAME INTERESTS
| / recommend that the fish and gam
| control. and that laws be made NOR
4 stringent for the preservation or ooti
| game and fish, and that the power o
the warden and his deputies pc eniar se s,,
| so that they can more ehecIuahS ca
| force the law. ..,o-
| l also believe that fish hatcher!
should be established, with the view o
propa eating such fish as are aoapteo 9
| the streams of Kansas. Other state
have made this a profitable industr!
where conditions are no more favoraDi
| than they are in Kansas.
| STATE ARCHITECT
| would recommend the enactment o
| a law authorizing the appointment " 10
| state architect. The legislature OF I9o
appropriated $3.50, $50 for new buildings
to saw nothing about the repairs that ar
included in the appropriations for man Y,
! tenance and repairs at the various In
stitutions. The average paid architect
| by the various boards Is ~ per cent 0
| the contract price. Some are less, Du
| Others include the expenses of the arGh
| ftect On S73O. $50. pa per cent would D
S17,206 paid out during the past L"
| years -.
feel that a state architect who ha
supervision over the buildings OF the stat
| will not only result in a saving 70 IN
4 state but will induce uniformity 4
the buildings. condition much desired
l ELECTION LAW.
recommend that the election lay
passed by the last legislature be
amended that no square shall be place
upon the official ballot opposite IN
Nomination" The law should as far a
possible make 1t easy for the voter I
register his wish at the polls; l oelievs
with this one amendment. the law wi
be very satisfactory.