The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-08
GOVERNOR HoCH,s MESSAGE.

| think of 1t offhand. In his message he
has covered about every subject of in
terest in the state-besides some that
are not of much interest-from pro-
| hibition to flowers for the state house
grounds
Although excessively 1ong-Gover-
nor Hoch really needs the services of
a good editor with a vigorous blue
penciI-it is good message. Its main
declarations are especially good. Gov
ernor Hoch may be a little short on
| action sometimes. but he knows what
ought to be done as a rule.
Naturally Governor Hoch brags
about the state to the extent of half
column or so before getting down to
business. That is the Kansas way.
and Governor Hoch is a thorough
Kansan in this respect 1t sticks out
all through the message. although the
members of the legislature probably
know all about that sort of thing
themselves.
The first propositions that Governor
Hoeh takes up are the Square Deal
questions, and he comes out in favor
of nearly all of them. The only one
on which he is at all doubtful is the
two-cent fare proposition, and he does
not specifically recommend a commits
sion to ascertain the value of the rail-
roads for taxation.
The governor comes out strong for
a primary election law, the primaries
of all parties to be held on the same
day, and all officers from United
States senators down to be nominated
by direct vote of the people. Some
Of the details which the governor sug-
gests may be faulty, but his ideas as
a whole are the same as those who
have been agitating primary election
law.
The anti-pass proposition also re-
ceives Governor Hoch's unqualified
endorsement briefly and pointedly.
Concerning the reduction of passen-
ger fares the governor recommends
that a committee be appointed early in
the session to hear arguments on both
sides in order that the legislature may
act intelligently, which seems like
fair. proposition.
He further recommends a much
larger contingent fund for the rail-
road commissioners to use in enforc-
ing the railroad laws. and the en-
ployment of a rate expert for the
board. He also mentions the neces-
sity of getting at the actual value OF
the railroads in order to base rates
thereon, but he makes no recon-
mendation on the subject
There is one important railroad mat
ter which Governor Hoch mentions,
about which little has been said. He
calls attention to the fact that Kansas
rates are made to and from Kansas
City, Mo-, and the state railroad board
therefore has no control over them be-
cause they are interstate traffic Kan
sas City, KAN" he says, though the
largest city in the state, and the nat
ural terminal of the states business, is
practically ignored in tariff schedules.
This should not be. If our laws are to
be of value, we must insist that the rail-
roads provide places for the reception
of freight and passenger traffic on the
Kansas side of the line. Otherwise our
state laws on these subjects will be in
large part annulled."
Governor Hoch has pretty level ideas
on the subject of taxation. His dag
nosis of the trouble seems about cor
rect. The great bulk of the bank de-
posits escape taxation, and, says the
governor, 1.-The assessment of railroad
and other personal property is almost,
If not quite, as great a farce" He rec
ommends that severe penalties be en-"
acted to compel the assessment of all
property at its actual value and for per-
jury in listing property for taxation.
More space is given to prohibition by
Governor Hoch than to any other one
subject. He stands pat for prohibition
which will blast the hopes of Leav-
enworth-and he produces strong argu-
ments in favor of the law. He reviews
z he hfcfr Of in
quotes from Governor John A. Martin
it. Every little while he
gives the saloon a pair of black eyes.
He says prohibition is a success both
and financially, and he cites
the fact that the United States collects
81, 900 600 year liquor taxes IN Nebras-
ka and 100000 a year in Kansas as
proof that prohibition prohibits; also
that Kansas uses only from 5000 to TO-
BOO barrels of liquor year while Mis-
souri, uses from two to three million
barrels. Concerning the enforcement of
law Governor Hoch says:
when any question of governmental |
concern Is up for original discussion 1t |
Is the privilege of every citizen to have |
and to express, freely and without re- |
straint, his opinion upon the subject, but !
when the matter has been crystallized |
into law 1t passes out of the domain of |
except for amendment or |
repeal There is then but one duty of |
the officer, and that is to enforce the |
law, and but one duty of the citizen,
and that is to obey it. The specious |
plea that any law is under the ban of |
an adverse public sentiment as an ex-
cuse for official derenction is unworthy |
Of consideration. The officer did not |
make the law and is not responsible for
It's making. He has nothing to do with |
public sentiment. He did not swear to
obey public sentiment. He swore to
enforce the law"
The governor makes no recommen-
lations concerning prohibitory 1egisla-
ion, but says he will endorse certain
bills to come before the legislature in
1ue time.