Mexico weekly ledger., 1908-04-30


The general assembly OF 1906. giving the
right TO the city OF 81. Louis 10 construct
a free bridge across the Mississippi river,
with the view OF destroying the bridge
arbitrary that has worked for 50 many
years TO the commercial disadvantage OF
our metropolis. Under this act the people
of the city Of ST. Louis a voted to
issue bonds for the construction OF a free
bridge, and the municipal assembly has
enacted an ordinance to that end and e
IS no longer doubted that the bridge will
be built la accordance with the power
given by the legislature and the will Of
the people.
Saving for the state.
Prior to 1904, the excise commissioner
Of the city OF St Louis received fees
amounting TO something like S25 900 n
year. This was thought to be excessive
compensation and more than the duties
OF the position warranted. Important as
they are, and an act was passed placing
the excise commissioner ON a salary OF
s. 200 a year. and the surplus fees are
now turned into the state treasury.
Dairy and Food commlsSloner.
AT the legislative session OF 1898, a
pure food law was enacted In accordance
with the results OF the most scientific IN
vestigation, This law was amended by
the ac.s OF 1907. so that now under It's
provisions the>state has a dairy and food
commissioner with deputies whose duties
are to inspect ali foodstuffs wherever sold
in the state. that the health OF the people
may be protected and secured against un-
wholesome Impurities and poisonous adul-
terations. The dairy department encour-
ages the establishment of diaries and
teaches the best methods of handling
milk. cream and butter as well as I'M
spects their products sold on the market
10 determine their WholeSomeness. The
dairy industry in Missouri has been neg
lected. The state is peculiarly adapted
TO the successful operation OF diaries.
With St Louis on the east. Kansas City
on the west. and st. Joseph in the north
west. a ready market Is afforded for every
part OF the state. AS an Illustration OF
the Increase in dairy products during the
past three years. the shipments from the
Southwestern portion OF the state of thae
products three years ago were almost NJ
significant. while last year the shipments
brought TO the farmers of that section
something like $500. 000.
Alum Law Repealed.
The general assembly OF 1905 also re-
peaied the alum law OF the Baking Pow
der Trust. which had been the cause OF
so much scandal in the state legislature,
resulting in appalling exposures Of graft
and corruption.
Anti Trust Laws.
Missouri now has the best antitrust
laws IN the Union So long as those oper-
ating a trust corporation can escape with
a mere fine against the corporation for a
violation OF the law. they will pay very
little attention to the statutes. But IL Is
quite another thing when the operators
themselves are subject to jail sentences
and prison punishment ] recommended
10 the general assembly Of 1907 that the
antitrust laws OF the state be so amended
as TO provide for prison punishment 70
be Indicted against those who should be
convicted Of violations Of this statute
The amendment was made and II the
TRUST laws OF the state are now violated
the punishment IS not a mere ine against
the corporation, but penifentiary confne-
ment for the individuals operating the
corporation
Anti Determination Law.
II became the practice Of the beef trust.
the oil trust and other trusts to open up
next door to q competitor and underscH
him until he was compelled. 70 quit bus
mess. Then the trusts would put up the
priees higher than before. TO recoup them
Relves for their losses. In order 10 end
this practice 81 was recommended that
an INSTRUMENTATION law be enacted
prohibiting a concern from selling goods
higher in one part Of the state than an
other. cost OF Transportation being .consid-
cred. This became the law. Under II
il il compelled to sell al the same price
all over the state, This act should guar
antee TO the people competition and In
sure the individual tradesmnn AGAINST CO.
ercion by great commercial interests
This law provides a penalty for It's viola
ton, and Il will be my pleasure 20 enforce
It wherever It may be violated =
Death Penalty Abolished.
During the three and a half years OF
this administration there have been a
number Of death sentences before me-
have examined each. record carefully
hII III ENNI NAA ~ . N@+ =
as 10 whether the death penalty should be
inflicted ! have resolved the doubt ~ "a
vor o. human life. The state. l believe.
has the right In order TO protect itself 10
take life; but II Is rarely justified In doing
80. II the state would inspire respect IN
its citizens for human life Il must Itself
show respect for life, The purpose OF
punishment IS not revenge, but by exam
pie TO deter others from the commission OF
crime, In the majority q cases a muir
derer in stripes operates as a greater
warning than the body Of a murderer in
ouickiime. The policy ] have pursued In
reference to the death penalty has been
approved by the general assembly OF 1907.
e%nacting a statute whereby Jures are
practically aholishes the death penalty in
This state. as the cases VIII be very rare
indeed where a jury will render a verdict
calling for the extreme penalty.
Parole Law.
In 1897 the general assembly enacted a
parole law, authorizing the circuit and
criminal judges Of the state 20 parole any
prisoner convicted Of a misdemeanor. or
any prisoner under a5 years Of age con-
yicted OF certain felonies. Believing that
the parole law should be further extended.
BY removing the age iimit Of persons con-
victed OF felony. the enactment Of a meas
ure to that end was recommended. This
was made the law by the general assem-
bly, Of 1867. This law gives 4 first Of
fender a chance TO redeem himself. Every
man Is Influenced by those with whom he
is thrown in contact, and the first Offend
er who Is IN constant association with old
offenders IL apt to become a hardened
criminal 1t should be the effort OF the
state to reform. not TO degrade. In the
absence of a state reformatory. the parole
system properly administered should save
many who would otherwise be enemies 10
society as confirmed criminals Under
Che constitution the governor has the
power TO grant pardons and eommuta tions
on such conditions as he may see Mt TO
impose. Under this provision the COVER
nor can issue combinations with parole
conditions. / have exercised this discre-
tion wherever ! have believed. after inres-
tigation, that there was q chance OF re-
deeminR the offender. The result has
been very satisfactory and few Of the
paroled prisoners have violated the con-
ditions.
Race-Traek Gambling.
At the beginning OF this administration
] found that the state was a partner in
Tace-track gambling. The state govern
ment received a rake-on from this gam
bling in the form Of a license fee. which
the penitentiary reaped an annua harvest
Of embezziers and thieves from the allur-
ing gambling at the race-tracka. ] sent
a special message TO the general assembly
urging the repeal Of this iniduitous Ia =,
whereby the state licensed q practice that
corrupted the youth and polluted the NOR
ais of society at large. ] urged the state
should not license gambling at all. and
tina Il was Just as wrong to maintain any
public institution on the proceeds Of gam
bling as Il would be to support the state
government by putting a price on evil II
was argued In opposition 10 the reDeHt Of