The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-08


in its character; whether the new civ
IL service policy in preference to the
old Spo1ls system shall continue to be
operative in the public service of this
state; whether the state institutions
shall be continued as business inStitu-
| lions, rather than as political per-
quisites; whether officials in every de-
partment shall be selected for their
special fitness or in payment of poll
ticaI obligations, is largely a matter
| of executive determination, and the
people should have ample opportunity
| to pass upon these questions in the
consideration of candidates. for gov
ernor. So important has Governor
Deneen of Illinois deemed this pri-
mary proposition that he has twice
called the Illinois legislature together
| in extraordinary session in the past
year for the enactment of a primary
election law alone.
1.-THE demand for a guarantee depos-
itors' law is widespread and, among
| the people, we'll nigh universal. I think
| 1t Is conservative estimate to say that
more than one-half of the 900 bankers
| OF the state are also in favor of the
proposition. I strenuously urged this
| measure as Wei the primary propo-
| ton upon the last legislature, violat-
| ing all precedents in appearing in per-
| son before that body to urge these i'm
| portant measures. The events of the
| last three months have given powerful
| emphasis to the necessity for this leg
| 1Slation. The enactment of a guaran-
| tee deposit law in Oklahoma, threaten
| ing our border banks and indeed many
| OF our interior banks, as these bankers
| themselves write me, with the loss of
| deposits In favor of Oklahoma banks,
| has added a new and urgent reason for
| prompt action on the part of Kansas.
| The chief opposition to this PROPOSE
| ton, so far the bankers are concern
ed, has come from the national bankers
| on the assumption that they would not
4 ho fnd To ioiy TO i,,t no a.
| fits of the law, owing to an alleged re-
cent ruling of the comptroller of the
currency, I have been in correspond
ence with the comptroller. and also
| with the governor of Oklahoma, In ref
erence to the matter and now have as
| surance that the national banks of Ok
lahoma can participate in the benefits
of the law If they wish to, and as the
| proposition has only involved the vol
untary participation this ought to set
tie the question and remove most of the
| objections in this state The banks of
this state were never in sounder condi-
ton than at this time. The conduct of
their managers and of the depOsitorS
alike has through these trying months
been most admirable. A recent report
| of the bank commissioner shows that
| while there has been considerable
shrinkage of deposits there has been
an enlargement of reserves. This is re-
| assuring to depositors and should con-
vince the most timid that their money
Is absolutely safe. But while all this
Is true the boarding of vast reserves
by the banks is depressing upon bust
ness, and a guarantee law is greatly
needed to restore perfect confidence
among the people and permit the bank
ers to liberate the boarded millions In
to the channels of commerce, where 1t
is greatly needed. This fact is doubly
true upon the eve of presidential cleo
Ition, when in ordinary times there Is
| generally a depression of business. And
I have been impelIed to ask this legis-
| lation at this time largely by ire
| mendous pressure from bankers and
business men from every part of the
state. A petition received from Wichita
alone. containing the names only OF
| wholesale dealers and jobbers, appealed
to me for this action, bearing the names
of gentlemen whose annual business ag-
gregates between Is and 20 million dol
lars. That the legislature Will respond
to this widespread business demand l
have assured myself by personal coun-
sci with many members OF the house
and by affirmative kilograms from a
good majority of the senate.
1.-THE new tax law is, in my Judgment,
one of the best enactments of the last
or of any Kansas legislature, and will
prove of immense benefit to the state
| when it is once in successful operation,
but it was unfortunately left in an i'm
perfect condition, giving much uneasl-
ness to many taxpayers, and am sure
the legislature will gladly strengthen
this excellent law where it is needed.
''It is a significant fact that in all of
my vast correspondence not single
letter or telegram has been received
asking for additional railroad legisla-
ton. The enactment of the antipass
law by the last legislature. the ma
terial strengthening of the railroad
law by that body, the enlargement OF
the powers of the board of railroad
commissioners, the liberal ppropria-
ton made for the enforcement of its
mandates, the putting into effect OF a
2-cent passenger rate since the az
preparation by the board of railroad
commissioners of carefully consid-
cred freight schedule, seems to nave
satisfied the people that the admins
, tration means to do everything pos
sibIe to protect them against corpor-
! ate injustice and greed. The impor-
| lance of this freight subject can not
be overestimated. 1t is of immense
magnitude and has a vital interest to
the people of the state, but its very
, importance emphasizes the necessity
: for elaboration, coupled with vigor
and determination in its consideration.
: The elaborate schedule of freight
rates, prepared with the aid of ex-
perts, is now ready fer the judicial
hearing contemplated by law, and this
hearing is soon to occur. The new
, board of railroad commissioners has
rapidly grown in popular favor. Its
! attorney is recognized as one of the
ablest and most conscientious lawyers
; in the state, and the work of rightine
recognized determinations and wrongs
: is progressing as rapidly as can rea-
sonably be expected. And I doubt the
: wisdom of projecting this matter, re-
quiring time and great care for equit-
able consideration, into the hasty
councils of an extra session of the
legislature I am a firm believer in
the commission system of dealing with
this transportation problem, because it
, affords ample time for it's thorough
: study, and If any additional legislation
is needed it is along the line of com>
t polling obedience to the orders of the