The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-14
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GOVERNOR BAILEY
TO THE LEGISLATURE

,ng extension OF government into new
ieids of regulation and control, have
-astiy increased the cost Of government.
he burden OF which these new forms of
wealth successfully evede the presen;
law In 1873 when the assessment OF
railroad and personal property was nrst
separated. real estate paid a4I PEI cent
of the total tax, personal property Il "a
per cent, and railroads IS Per cent.
IN 1880 railroad taxation had increased 20
Il 50 per cent of the total. real estate bore
6s.oI per cent, a slight decrease anc
personal property. in spite of Us vast
increment. had fallen to l6.ls per cent.
Of the total. II that year, with 5000
ooo in our banks, the assessors found but
s3.oc1 coo for taxation. and the total as
sessr1ent Of personal property was but
So .0oo 90. or Sc o0J1le less than our hold
ings of money alone. AS in 1879, the far
mer, the smaII-home owner. the possessor
OF real estate and the owner Of visible
personal property, such as the stockman
and merchant, pay fye-sixth Of the tax.
and the railroads pay the rest Besides
this. there are glazing inequalities be-
tween the assessment IN adjoining coun-
ties. and consequent inequalities in the
burden OF both state and county govern
ment-
These inequalities and injustices have
attracted the attention Of our lawmaking
power for many years. and many at
ternpts have been made 10 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 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 recent years. of a state
tax commission The commission con-
sisted OF representatives OF both houses
and certain state officers, and was en-
powered 10 sit in vacation and prepare
d new tax law. The attention Of the
commission was called TO the evils above
recited, and II was particularly directed
to provide for the fuller assessment OF
personal property. The commission so
constituted has expended much time and
thought upon a bin and report which
will be submitted to you. II has col
lected large amount OF information. in
vestigated the laws OF other states and
their operation. and its conclusions and
the information it has obtained will be OF
value TO you in considering this sub
ject. Without commenting upon the bill
prepared or assuming TO pass any opinion
upon its merits, invite your earnest at
tenrion to It's various features. with the
sincere hope that you will not permit
the work OF the commission 10 be lost
by a failure 10 act in this matter and
that you will be able, starting with their
work. to formulate law that will bring
upon the tax rolls the vast amount OF
personal property that now escapes.
thereby tightening the burden borne by
the farmer, the home-owner, the mer-
chant. and all who own 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 far beyond any demand or ne
cessity. and, as result, the storeroorns
OF the capitol building are rapidly filling
up with this matter that IS worse than
useless 1 am sure a careful inspection
of this accumulated material Will con-
vince any legislator OF the necessity OF
reform along 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 ard his deputies be enlarged. 50
that they can more effectually enforce
the law l also believe that a FISH hatch
cry should be established. with the view
OF prcpagating such fish as are adapt
ed to the streams OF Kansas. Other
states have made this profitable indus
try where conditions are no more Ia
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
Appropriated $50 go for new buildings,
10 say nothing about the repairs that are
included in the appropriations for main
tenance and repairs at the different in
stitutions. The average paid architects
by the various boards IS 2iz per cent. OF
the contract price. Some are less. but
others include the expenses Of the archi-
-ect- On $40. go, ~ per cent. would be
81 eos raid out during the past two years.
| feel that a state architect who has
supervision over the buildings OF the
state will not only result in a saving TO
he state but will induce a uniformity
IN the buildings. a condition much de-
sired.
ELECTION LAW.
I recommend that the election law
pa ssed BY the last legislature be so
nended that no square shall be placed !
,Don the crTciai ballot opposite no NOM
nation" The law should as far as pos
;ible make II easy for the voter 70 regis |
er his wish a. the polls ! believe, wtth /
his one amendment the law will be very |
CONGRESSIONAL REAPPoRTION-
MENT.
Kansas has eight members in the na- /
ionaI congress and the state is divided 4
ITO seven congressional districts. neces- I
stating tae election Of one member at
arge- 7 recommend the rsiistricting OF I
he state and the formation OF eight con- /
--eSSicnal districts as IL contemplated 4
" law The congressm an-st-iarge- while 4
le has the same rights upon the door 1
nd IN the committee room as the mem /
,er who has district Is practically de- I
led other pre-ogativeS Ot member. /
Zach congressional district Is entitled 20
s-tain recognition. certain patronage 4
Kansas practically hoses oue-eighth %
What she is entitled 70 under The present
The fact that a district
Is 81 ore OF 70.aoo more population than
Z Is entitled 10 does not ertitie the peo-
lie OF the district 10 any more recognition
han they would have Il they had the
.urnbe- contemplated by law earnest
; hope that this legislature vii reap
o--icn the state ard to-ioW me exam
~ set by other states.
Other suggestions made by the gov
rnor follow:
An inspection fee for cattle admitted -
he state for immediate slaughter. the
arle a. any other cattle
liberal appropriation Tor Western UNI
erz;tv for regrcesl at QuiHdsro.
More stringent provisions for free en-
ioyraeut agencies In first and second
lsss cities.
a iseeraI appropriation for the Kansas