The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-13
zee nrEssAan-A suM1rARY.

datiOns are plain and explicit. Several
reports and recommendations of COM
missions and department boards are
simply referred to the legislature for its
consideration. The short opening para
graph Of the document is hopeful,
cheerful, optimistic.
The governor, a farmer, naturally
gives prominence to agriculture. in line
with the predominating industry of the
state which he pronounces THE basis
of the states material prosperity"
Kansas he says leads all other states in
wheat, alfalfa and the sorghums. rank
ing with the foremost In corn, and with
unsupported possibilities. He especially
compliments the work Of Secretary Co
burn of the state board.
He says the advisability Of continuing
the bounty on the sugar beet win be for
the legislature to determine.
He refers to horticulture as an indus
try that e1evates our rural communi-
ties, creates a love Of home and induces
the boys to stay on the farm" advising
such appropriations as may be neces-
sary to carry on the society for its pro-
motion.
In connection with live stock matters
/ he suggests an amendment of the law
which admits cattle for immediate
slaughter free of. charge. stating that
fees for these viii increase the fund
the state receives from about $4,000 to
$4,000 and asks for the employment of
additional inspectors made necessary
/ by more railroad mileage. He says the
loss to cattle owners from Texas fever
is small by reason of the good work OF
the commission.
He recommends for the three state
!
atoms as in the judgment of the legis-
lature may be necessary to maintain
them upon a plane commensurate with
the growth and development of the
state" advocating nominal incidental
or tuition fee. larger for pupils from
outside the state.
He suggests that the salary of the
superintendent of public instruction be
increased to $500; advocates strength
ening Of compulsory attendance law and
says the boy upon the street in many
cases becomes a dangerous citizen of the
state"
Concerning the railroad board he
thinks that the inter-urban roads oper-
ating by electricity should be placed
under the jurisdiction of the board and
recommends as worthy of consideration
the placing of the telegraph companies
under the same Jurisdiction: wants an
amendment of the law to provide for BIZ
ennial instead of annual reports. He
notes that of 202 cases fled 152 have
been settled through the action of the
board LOG of which have been favorable
to the complainants and 46 to the rail-
roads.
He says the Irvine plant at the peni-
tertiary has achieved a reasonable de-
I gree of success and should be maintain
ed with some slight notifications. He
says that one-fourth of the /. 069 prison
ers in the penitentiary are from Okla
homa and believes that territory should
take care of its own as soon as posi-
bic.
Additional water supply for various
state institutions is demanded, particu-
larly at Dodge City, soldiers home in
splendid condition, but with practically
no fire protection.
He points to the fact that the report
of state banks clearly indicates the
prosperous condition of the people, not
ing a gain of SO banks in two years,
gains in deposits of over eight millions
and of loans of over eleven millions
saying that the deposits now aggregate
over forty millions: that fifteen millions
in cash is on hand in the banks.
He strongly recommends changing the
method of handling the state funds, ad-
vocating an amendment to the law so
that county treasurers in renting to
the state treasurer shall be required to
notify the state auditor of the amounts
RENTED, and that the accounts of the
state fiscal agency and the state deposit
tories shall be kept both with the audi
tor of state and the state treasurer so
that the one office may be check upon
the other and that something more than
the word of the treasurer shall be re-
quired as to the amount of funds upon
deposit in the fiscal agencies. He says
the state pays the Kansas fiscal agency
2 per cent on daily balances aud de-
clares that the banks of Kansas holding
state deposits should pay as much He
believes that they would be willing to
do so and that this amount on the av-
erage deposits in the Topeka banks
s+Soo0O, would bring in an annual reve-
nue. of $4,000. He also suggests that the
state treasurer be permitted to utilize
in state repositories a large amount of
idle money now kept in the state treas
ury, 2 per cent upon which would bring
in about $4,000 additional revenue. II
these views are carried out he recon-
mends that the bond of the state treas
urer be reduced one-half and be cover
ed by some surety company whose fee
is to be paid for out of the additional
profits accruing.
He recommends that the trahicking in
the marketable commodities from the
various state institutions be abolished;
that where any quantity is sold it be
disposed Of for cash and credited to the
proper Institution.
Special attention is devoted to the
subject of assessment and taxation. He
points out the abuses and INEQUALITIES
growing out of the present law, framed
thirty-four years ago when Kansas was
a frontier state. He cites the evasion OF
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