The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-03-08
HOCH PRODS LEGISLATURE.

Hoch prodded the Legislature today
by special message, which he read
himself, instead of letting his secre-
tary transmit the message. The
message follows:
ITO the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
wThe limit of time provided by
the constitution for legislative SEES
sion will soon expire and but few
enactments of general nature
have reached the executive depart
ment for the signature of the gov
ernor. The work of the legislature
up to date. SO far as the enactment
of law Is concerned. has chiefly
been of legal nature. The many
measures recommended in the regu'
lar executive biennial message, and
which seem to be desired by the
people. have thus far, with few ex'
ceptions, failed to be crystalized in
to law | cannot permit this legis,
lature to adjourn without again call
ing to your attention some of these
measures. In two biennial mes
sages ! have urged the enactment
of a primary election law. | believe
the people are demanding such
law and will he sorely disappointed
if>>this legislature adjourns without
responding to this demand. | real
ize the difficulty of agreement up
on the specific provisions, of law
of this kind, but | cannot too strong
iy urge those who hold these diver
gent views to make every reason.
able sacrifice and agree upon som0
kind OF primary election law that
will at least in some measure meet
the exigencies of the occasion. No
personal consideration no pride OF
authorship, no antagonism between
the two houses, should prevent some
agreement on the subjects.
The people believe that free rail-
road transportation is a species OF
favoriteism which should not be toll
Grated and that it tends to corrupt
politics. | do not share this view
to the extent that 1t is entertained
by some others, but | share it to a
large extent, and | trust this legis'
lature will not adjourn until it has
followed the example of the con
gress of the United States and abol
ished the free pass save in excep-
tional cases as reason may sug-
gest.
in my biennial message | urged
the legislature to equip the board OF
railroad commissioners with great
er facilities and funds in order that
q. l.. ~ oh In
vestigate and intelligently decide
the great questions with which it
must grapple, and hope this
recommendatio will be crystalized
into law
"On the 9th of February, 1907, |
transmitted to the legislature a
special message recommending the
eating liquors. This bill was care.
fully prepared by EX-Attorney Gen
eral c. c. Coleman. Assistant Attor.
ney General c. w. Trlckstt Assist
ant Attorney General John Marshall,
and carefully scrutinized by other
able lawyers, but it has not only
not as yet been enacted into law,
but | understand has been adversely
reported by the committee of the
senate to which it was referred.
Executive, judicial and legislative
officers should need no stimulus OF
public sentiment to prompt them to
the performance OF constitutional
duties, but if they did need it in
Kansas the people furnished it in
abundance at the election in this
state last November. The enforce
ment of the prohibitory law ives
made a distinct and even vehement
issue in the campaign, and with
practical unanimity the people de-
clared in favor of the enforcement
of the constitutional provision. But
constitutions do not enforce them.
serves. Legislatures must furnish
the statutory means for their en-
forcement. Executive and judicial
officers must depend upon the legis-
lature for these enactments. Tie
able lawyers above named have Civ
en- more thought, perhaps, to this
question than any other attorneys
in the state, and they have had
more practical experience than any
others. Their judgment and recon-.
mendation can not be lightly disre-
garded by this Legislature. These
are matters of very great import
ance. gentlemen, and the people
look to you for their solution.
cannot too strongly urge them upon
you in these closing da"s of your
session. II is the duty of the co.
ernor to call the attention OF the
legislature to matters of state in
terest and Importance When ne
has done this he, has exhausted his
legislative power and the RESPONSE
bility must thereafter rest with the
legislature.
(Signed) &c. w. HOCH.
Governor.
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