Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-01-16

vastly increased the cost OF government,
the burden Of which these new forms of
wealth successfully evade the present
law. In 1873, when the assessment OF
railroad and personal property was first
separated. real estate paid 74.47 per cent.
OF the total tax, personal property 1913
per cent. and railroads 1S5 per cent.
in 1900 railroad taxation had increased to
1888 per cent. Of the total, real estate bore
e6.01 per cent, slight decrease, and
personal property in spite Of its vast
increment. had fallen to 1916 per cent.
of the total. In that year, with SEQ CO.,
Coo in our banks. the assessors found Bur
8. 900 for taxation. and the total as
sessment OF personal property was but
$50 100000. or $4,000 less than our hold
ings of money alone AS in 1873. the far
fner, the small-honse owner, the possessor
Of real estate and the owner Of visible
personal property, such as the stocBrnan
and merchant, pay fve-slxth of the tax,
ard the railroads pay the rest Besides
this, there are glazing inequalities be-
tween the assessment in adjoining coun-
ties, and consequent inequalities in the
burdsn Of both state and couEty govern
ynent@
These inequalities and injustices have
attracted the attention OF cur lawmaking
power for many years. and many at
tempts have been made to adjust the
law to the new conditions. but the brief
time allowed by the session has pre-
vented a comprehensive and satisfactory
plan; and SO thoroaghly has this been
proven that the session of 1901 adopted
tbs plan which has been followed with
success IN most OF the northern and
western states IN recent years. of a state
tax commission. The commission con-
sisted of representatives CT both houses
and certain state officers. and was en-
powered to sit In vacation and prepare
a new tax law The attention of the
commission was called to the evilA above
recited, and it was particularly directed
to provide for the fuller assessment Of
personal property. The commission 50
constituted has expended much time and
thought upon bill and report which
VIII be submitted to you. It has col
lected a large amount Of Information, In
vestigated the laws of other states. and
their operation, and it's conclusions and
the information 1t has obtained will be OF.
value to you in considering this SUBJ
Ject Without oomEoenting upon the bill
prepared or assuming to pass any opinion
upon it's merits, invite your earnest at
tention to its various featured, with the
sincere hope that you will not permit
the work of the commission TO be lost
byoa failure to act in this matter. and
that you will be able. starting with their
work. to formulate law that viii bring
upon the tax rolls the vast amount of
personal property that now escapes.
the farmer, the home-owner. the mer-
chant, and all who OWE real estate and
visible personal property.
PUBLIC PRINTING.
I call your attention to the lavish waste
of the public money IN the printing OF
useless and unnecessary public docu-
mentS. The law, In many instances, pro-
vides for the publishing OF reports and
documents Tar beyond any demand or ne
cessity, and. as result. the storerooms
of the capitol building are rapidly filling.
up with this matter that Is worse than
useless. am sure a careful inspection
of this accumulated material will con-
vince any legislator of the necessity OF
reform &losg this line.
THE FISH AND GAME INTERESTS
I recommend that the fish and game
interests Of the state be put under one
control. and that laws be made more
stringent for the preservation of both
game and fish. and that the power of the
warden and his. deputies be enlarged, so
that they can more efcectually enforce
the law. I also believe that a fish hatch
cry should be established. with the view
of propagating such fish as are adapt
ed to the streams of Kansas. Other
states have made this profitable indus
try where conditions more ia
vorable than they are In Kansas.
STATE ARCHITECT.
I would recommend the enactment OF
a law authorizing the appointment of
state architect. The legislature of 1901
S730,250 for new buildings.
to say nothing about the repairs that are
included in the appropriations for main
tenance and repairs at the different in
situations. The average paid architects
by the various boards Is PA per cent. Of
the contract price. Some are less, but
others include the expenses of the archi-
tect- On $730, 250 21k per cent. would be
81, 206 paid out during the past two years.
I feel that state architect who has
supervision over the buildings Of the
state will not only result in a saving to
the state but viii induce a uniformity
in the buildings, condition much de-
sired.
ELECTION LAW
I recommend that the election law
that no square shall be placed
upon the official ballot opposite no nom
nation The law should as far as pos
sible make 1t easy for the voter to regis
this one amendment. the law will be very
satisfactory.
CONGRESSIONAL REAPPORTION-
MENT.
Kansas has eight members in the ma
tional congress and the state is divided
into seven congressional districts, necese
stating the election of one member at
large. / recommend the rediStricting OF
the state and the formation of eight con-
gressioIal districts. as Is contemplated
by law. The OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, while
he has the same rights upon the moor
and in the committee room as the men,
Der who has a district, Is practically de-
MED other prerogatives of member.
Each congressional district Is emitted To
certain recognition, certain patronage.
Kanzas practically loses one-eighth OF
what she Is entitled to under the present
apportfonment. The fact that district
has $1,000 10000 more population than
it is entitled to does not entitle the peo-
pie of the district to any more recognition
than they would have If they had the
number contemplated by law I eSrnest-
ly hope that this legislature will reap
portion the state and follow the exam
pie set by other states
Other suggestions made by the gov
ernnr follow.