The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-01-16

ing extension Of government into new
fields OF regulation and control, have
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 I4.47 per cent.
OF the total tax, personal property 17.19
per cent. and railroads 7.S5 per cent.
In 1900 railroad taxation had increased to
17.53 per cent. Of the total. real estate bore
66.01 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 s6o.OOO,
COO in our banks, the assessors found but
100000 for taxation, and the total as
sessment of personal property was but
s57 O00,Co0, or 100000 less than our hold
ings OF money alone. AS in 1873. the far
mer. the small-home owner, the posseSsor
of real estate and the owner of visible
personal property, such as the stockman
and merchant, pay five-sixth of the tax.
and the railroads pay the rest. Besides
this. there are glaring 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
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 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 to sit in vacation and prepare
a new tax law. The attention Of the
commission was called to the evils above
recited. and it was particularly directed
to provide for the fuller assessment of
personal property. The commission so
constituted has expended much time and
thought upon a bill and report which
will be submitted to you. 1t has col
lected a large amount of information, in
vestigated the laws of other states and
their operation, and its conclusions and
the information 1t 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. 1 invite your earnest at
tention to its various features, with the
sincere hope that you will not permit
the work of the commission to be lost
by 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 burden borne by
the farmer, the home-owner, the mer-
chant, and all who own real estate and
visible personal property.
PUBLIC PRINTING.
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 a result, the storerooms
of the capitol building are rapidly filling
up with this matter that Is worse than
useless. l am sure 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 and his deputies be enlarged, so
that they can more effectually enforce
the law. 1 also believe that 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 are no more ia
vorable than they are in Kansas.
STATE ARCHITECT.
I would recommend the enactment of
law authorizing the appointment of a
state architect. The legislature of 1901
appropriated 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 2h per cent. OF
the contract price. Some are less, but
others include the expenses of the archi-
tect. On $3.50. $50, 21a per cent. would be
s17,206 paid out during the past two years.
I feel that q state architect who has
supervision over the buildings of the
state will not only result in saving to
the state but will induce uniformity
in the buildings, q condition much de-
sired.
ELECTION LAW
recommend that the election law
passed by the last legislature be so
amended that no square shall be placed
upon the official ballot opposite mo NOM
nation" The law should as far as pos
sible make 1t easy for the voter to regis
ter his wish at the polls. I believe. with
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, neces-
stating the election of one member at
large. 1 recommend the redistricting of
the state and the formation of eight con-
gressional districts, as is contemplated
by law. The congressman-at-large, while
he has the same rights upon the floor
and in the committee room as the men,
~ rb4 hoc G nracfiCa1lV de.
MED other prerogatives of member.
Each congressional district is entitled 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 60 900 or 10000 more population than
Ii 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. 1 earnest
" hope that this legislature will reap
portion the state ard follow the exam