The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-13

cCnSFf IS becomes a law, II VIII De nee
essary to amend the state militia act
70 harmonic It with certain provisions
o. the national law
1 believe in an organized and efficient
militia, and I trust the state Of Kansas
viii cooperate with the national gov
eminent in all efforts toward improve
ment, and will literally aid all move
ments tending to the development of the
National Guard.
State Historical Society.
The State Historical society is now
provided with satisfactory accommoda-
lions showing the trials and accomp-
1shments of our people in creating this
splendid commonwealth No state has
mad more inspiring history; and now
that the work of the society is in order
Il IS source of qualification that liberal
support by the legislature has always
been accorded. instead of leaving this
patriotic service to individual effort All
kansans should be proud of the society
ana It's work, and I heartily commend
II TO the legislature for continued con-
slderatlon and liberaIity. A proper cata-
logulng Of the collection has been rea-
sonably well kept up and I would st1g-
gest that. upon its completion. a cata~
logue OF the Kansas portion, at least. be
puDisheo, that II NAV be more available
TO the general public.
Public Printing.
1 call your attention to the lavish waste
OF the public money in the printing Of
useless and unnecessary public Documents
me law, IN many instances. provides for
me publishing of reports and documents
Iar beyond any demand or necessity. and.
as a result, the storerooms of the capitol
building are rapidly filing up with this
sure careful inspection of this accunu-
lated material will convince any legisla-
1 TOT OF the necessity of reform along this
The Fish and Game Interests.
l recommend that the fish and game in
terests OF the state be put under one con
s aro4t; ana enc mat laws be made more strin-
gent Tor the preservation of both game
ana fish. and that the power of the war
den and his deputies be enlarged, so that
they can more effectually enforce the law
i also believe that a fish hatchery should
pc esta bllshed. with the view of propagat-
ing such fish are adapted to the
made this a profitable industry where con
ditions are no more favorable than they
State Architect.
I would recommend the enactment Of a
law authorizing the appointment of a
state architect The legislature of 1901
appropriated $730 $50 for new buildings to
say nothing about the repairs that are
included in the appropriations for mainte-
nance and repairs at the different instit1i-
tons me average paid architects by the
various boards is 212 per cent of the con
tract price Some are less. but others in
clude the expenses of the architect On
$f3O, 20, 212 per cent would be $17.206 paid
out during the past two years.
reel that a state architect who has SUI
( ~
I VIII not only result in a saving to the
state but will induce a uniformity in the
buildings, condition much desired.
Election Law.
I recommend that the election law pass
ed by the last legislature be so amended
that no square shall be placed upon the
9 on pauot opposite No Nomination. "
The law should as far as possible make it
easy for the voter to register his wish at
the polls. believe, with this one amend
ment, the law viii be very satisfactory
Free Employment Bureau.
The free employment bureau has been in
operation for a period of nineteen months.
The report of the director shows that dur
ing the existence of the bureau there have
furnished, 4937. The workings of the bu-
reau have not been as satisfactory as the
that the city clerks of cities of the first
and second class shall open and maintain
free employment agencies to work in con-
Junction with the bureau There is no
compensation provided for this work and
there is no penalty for neg1ecring to com
ply Win the law, and. as result, but few
cities have maintained free employment
agencies, as contemplated. I believe the
law should be so amended that the free
employment agencies must be maintained
permanently, as contemplated in the pres
ent law.
Congressional Reapportionment.
Kansas has eight members in the ma
tional congress and the state is divided in
to seven congressional districts necessitat-
! ing the election Of one member at large.
L 4
and the formation of eight districts is
contemplated by law The congressman
at-large. while he has the same rights up
4 on the floor and in the committee room as
1 the member who has a district, is practi-
eally denied other prerogatives of a mem
/ Der. Each congressional district is entitled
I to certain recognition, certain patronage.
/ Kansas practically loses one-eighth Of
/ what she is entitled to under the present
apportionment- The fact that a district
has 10000 or 10000 more population than it
/ is entitled to does not entitle the people
J n Uni linn
than they would have if they had the
number contemplated by law. 7 earnestly
1 hope that this legislature will reapportiOn
the state and follow the example set by
other states
Oil inspection.
The report of the state oil inspector
nft ~ Ps s 6o6 70 19e sta5e from TINS
that the present law be so amended that
4 the consumer can be protected against
/ poor grades Of oil, as we'll as the dangers
! of expl Osion. seems TO me to be Just and
I recommend this matter to your consid-
Grafton.
State House.
The last appropriation made for the COM
pletion of the state house was sufficient
for the purpose. and it is gratifying to
which is a source of just pride and for
which no further expenditure is now need
ed, save for its proper maintenance.
State Accountant.
I believe that competent state account
\ ant can render valuable service to the
state in systematizing the vast business
of the state 1 recommend an appropria-
4 ton to maintain this office as contem-
/ plated by the law of 1895.
Revision of Insurance Laws.
The insurance laws of the state should
/ be revised and corrected. While the laws
\ have been added to from time to time,
there has been an absence of positive cor
! rections and repeating acts, and we are
/ left in doubt as to the implied repeating
force As result the insurance depart
ment IS IN possession OF a compilation OF
I laws in which there are contradictions and
I Inconsistencies. This is unfortunate, both
| to the insurance companies and the PEG
/ pie and it is certainly annoying to the
/ superintendent. who, under the law. is