The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-16
Urges Direct Primary and
Guaranty of Deposits.
ANSWERS OBJECTIONS.
Doesn't Believe Wildcat Banks
Would Be Encouraged.
Takes Conservative Position
On Railroad Question.

shortly atter the cOnVen1ng OF the
legislature at 4 o'clock this afternoon
the message of Governor Hoch was
read as follows:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
The work of a special session of the
legislature is in some states confined
to the matters specified in the execu-
tive call, but no such limitation is put
upon the powers of legislature in
this state. Nevertheless, 1 feel sure
you will see the propriety and wis
dom of combining yourself as closely
possible to the specific things YOU
have been called together to consider.
desire also, at the threshold of your
labors, to express the hope that all
appropriations, not absolutely neces-
sary, be refused, and that ali useless
employees be dispensed with, and that
the expenses of this extra session be
reduced to the lowest possible limit.
The propositions you will be asked to
consider are not new propositions
New conditions give them new promi-
nence, but they are questions with
which you are familiar and upon
which you are already prepared to
register your votes intelligentIy 1 am
sincerely hoping that the session may
not consume more than one-half of
the thirty remunerative days allotted
by law to an extraordinary session.
1t is not my purpose to discuss at any
great length the propositions you
have been called together to con-
sider These matters have all been
fully discussed by me in two former
biennial messages, and some of them
in two special messages
For Primary Election.
1 recommend the enactment of a
primary election law statewide in its
character, to include every state, dis
trict and county officer to be voted
for in this state this year, and to in
clude also an expression of popular
choice for United States senator, and
to be operative in the selection of
this years candidates by every politi-
cal party. Less than this at this time
Will not satisfy the people. II is
peculiarly important that this enact
ment control this years candidates.
1t is a year when state policies for
two years least will be crystallized.
The selection of governor, for in
stance. is of vital Importance to the
people Whether Kansas shall be
kept abreast of the progressive move
ment for good government national in
its character; whether the new civil
service policy in preference to the
old factional spoils system shall con-
tinue to be operative in the public
service of this state; whether the state
institutions which have been taken en-
tirely out of politics shall be continued
as business institutions rather than as
political perQuisites; whether officials
in every department shall be selected
for their special fitness or in payment
of political obligations; whether cor
porate greed shall be controlled or
permitted to forage at will upon the
people, is largely a matter Of execu-
tive determination, and all the people
should have ample opportunity to
pass upon these questions in the con-
le,;< L. - 11--
this year. Then again, the legislature,
both senate and house, is to be selected
this year. The senate will hold for
four years and remain in office
through two biennial sessions. The
legislature selected this year will elect
next winter a United States senator
who will represent this state for the
next six years in the upper branch of
congress. If the people are ever to
have the right to select at a direct
primary all these officials now is the
time for that right to be recognized.
To me 1t seems a fundamental right.
The right to select a candidate is as
sacred as the right to elect an officer.
The convention system disfranchise
the citizen. It is not representative
government at all, because in the ma
ture of things the delegate can seldom
represent any one constituent upon
more than one candidacy. Let no
factional or personal consideration, no
pride Of authorship, no past differ
ences, have influence in this matter.
The people are demanding this ac-
ton at your hands
Tax Commission Law.
The new tax commission law is in
nv Judgment one of the best enact
ments ever put upon the statute books
of Kansas. 1t will prove of immense
benefit to the state when 1t is once In
successful operation. 1t will simplify
la Iaa narfxy a.
tistics of the state, and ultimately
greatly reduce the average taxation.
This is not, as many suppose, new
law. 1t is in most of its features the
old law given new vitality by needed
amendments, but it still needs one i'm
portant amendment and perhaps many
of minor Importance 1t provides for
The assessment of all property at Its
actual value and for the enforcement
of this provision, which indeed is not
q new one but which under the old
system resulted in the assessment of
property at not more than one-fourth
its value. This new law, which thus
provides for so great an increase in
valuations. unfortunately tailed to pro
vide for a proportionate decrease in
possible levy. This has given rise to
grave apprehensionS on the part of
MANY taxpayers lest disbursing boards
take advantage of the opportunity and
greatly Increase the burdens of taxa
but it is well to remove 1t and the
occasion for it by limiting the possible
levy in such n way that the burdens OF
taxation will not be increased. but in
stead decreased. as they should be un-
| der the operation Of this new law. May
suggest that the new tax commits
sion. composed of men of undoubted
character and ability who have giver
much thought to this law. who have
| studied If in all of it's phases, who
have sought COUNSEL from Taxpayers
| in every part of the state, should be
| freely consulted by you in reference te
Continued on Page Seven.)