The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-01-05


important subjects on which you viii
be called to lNgislate. Colorado being
one of the younger states it is now pos
sible TO protect its citizenship from
these monopolies upon their rights.
Railroad Commission
One of the subjects you will have for
consideration is a law providing for
the creation of board of railroad COM
missioners ard prescribing its duties.
Personally l am OF the opinion tha.
such a board should be elected by the
people for term of six years, one
member retiring every two years The
enactment of a law of this character
is one on which there is a great d.
versity OF opinion and il will be harti
to satisfy everyone. l believe the law
Should be conservative, protecting the
rights of the people. but at the same
time should not be such as will cripple
the railroads in their efficiency The
people can be protected without CON
fiscatiRg the railroads. The national
law recently enacted seems to meet
the requireme nts pretty generally. but
at the same time many OF its provis-
ions would be cumbersome for state
10 attempt to enforce. The commits
sion should have power to hear com
plants and order reductions in rates
when the same seem to them to be out
of proportion.
also believe that the board OF rail
road commissioners should perform
the duties now performed by the state
\ board Of equalization in the assessment
of cSrpora,e property. the latter board
being left with the power of eGualizins
as between the counties as the consti
tuition now provides. 1t might also be
permissible to grant an appeal in as
sesHnent matters from the board OF
railroad commissioners to the board OF
equalization at the fall meeting of the
board. I realize this will require a
constitutional amendment, but | be-
lieve the interests of the state de.
mand It
It is impossible for the state board
of equalization to become sufficiently
acquainted with the value of railroad
and other corporate property assessed
by it in the limited time at it's dis
posal The board can not. therefore,
make an assessment that is either just
to the other taxpayers of the state or
the railroads themselves. A board of
railroad commissioners, in the dis
discharge of the other duties attached
TO the office, would necessarily become
acquainted with the railroad property,
its vaane, earnings. etc. and could in
teihgently make the assessment.
State Engineer.
The state engineers report is one
which should be of great value to the
people OF Colorado. That official has
used great pains and care in its prep
arati0n. This is a department of the
government which is constantly grow
ing In usefulness and Importance
Practically all the state road building
comes unier his supervision and he IS
charged by law with a multiplicity of
duties which increase year by year as
the state advances along material
lines.
The subject of good roads and their
Importance is treated by him in very
thorough manner, and l am sure pc
rnBa1 OF his remarks on this subject
viii be interesting and beneficial.
Executive Mansion.
As nm now retiring from Office.
believe I can, with becoming modesty.
recommend that the Legislature make
provision for an executive mansion, TO
be maintained by the state. 1t is not
necessary that such home should be
magnificent, but simply a good, sub
stantial dwelling, in close proximity to
the capitol building
This would be a great convenience
TO the executive and an honor to the
state, and l believe the state is now
wealthy enough so it can afford to
maintain such residence, otherwise
would not think of making such a rec
oMmendation.
Term Of Office.
While on the above subject it might
not be amiss for me to give the leg1sla-
tors my views as to the term OF office
of the governor | believe a constitu-
tionai amendment should be submitted
to the people, providing change in
the tenure of Office from two to four
years. with a provision that he Shall
not be eligible for two consecutive
terms. A great many OF the states
now elect a governor for four years
and the remainder of the state ticket
biennfal1y. There are many arguments
which can be advanced for this change.
am firmly convinced If such change
is made the people will be the gamers
by much better administration of the
affairs of state, as the governor will
then have an opportunity to accom-
>plish something for them.
U. s. Senator's.
There Is rapidly increasing senti-
ment in this country that United
States senators should be elected by
the direct vote Of the people. l be-
lieve large majority OF the citizens OF
Colorado favor this plan, but of course
it is matter that can not be regulated
by state Legislatures and will require
a national constitutional amendment
TO bring it about. You can lend moral
force to the movement by memorable
ing Congress to give the people the op-
portunity to pass judgment as to
whether or rot they desire the change.
There was recently held at Des
Moines, Iowa, convention for the pur-
pose OF considering this question, at