The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-12

practical. commend it to your
careful consideration"
This question has been continuously
discussed until during the last
campaign both political parties in
Kansas pledged themselves to enact
members of this legislature are in
honor bound to carry out in good faith
their platform pledges on this subject:
Passenger Rates and Free Transpor-
tation.
The present passenger rate law is
humbug. A fat two-cent rate should
be substituted therefor. The anti
pass law should be entirely rewritten
limiting free transportation to bona
hde railroad employees and their
families and excluding all others.
Perhaps this is the only sort of anti
pass law which the courts will permit
to stand as constitutional.
Anti-Lobby.
It will greatly aid your delibera-
lions during the present session of the
legislature if an anti-lobby law is en-
acted at once and made effective up
on publication in the official state
paper. I see no good reason why
this law should not be operative dur
ing the first week of the, present leg
islatiye session, and rid the legislative
halls of these officious obstructionists.
Liquor Legislation.
l approve the recommendations of
the attorney general that the law
aSuthorlzing the county attorneys to
hold inquisitions pertaining to unlaw-
fuI sales of Intoxicating liquors should
be re-enacted. 1t is also a wise sug-
gestion that the persistent violator of
the prohibitory law should be dealt
with as felon. For the first offense
the criminal may be dealt with ac-
cording to the judgment of the court;
Tor the second, or for violating his
parole. he should suffer the maximum
penalty under the present law; for a
third offense, he should be sent to the
penitentiary for the protection of
society.
The present system of issuing per-
rnits for the sale of intoxicants should
rnits vested in the state board of
health.
I recommend that whenever it be-
comes necessary to appoint an assist
ant attorney general in any county in
this state, the pay of the county at
torney shall cease during such time as
It is necessary for the attorney general
to act.
School Laws
I recommend to your careful atten-
ton the report of the Kansas educa-
LiOnal commission. This report covers
the needed school legislation compre-
hensively- A similar commission should
be authorized by law to revise rewrite
and codify the school laws and reports
thereon to the next session of the legis-
ature. But some of the more import
ant needs of the schools cannot wait
These are state aid for weak districts,
longer minimum terms, consolidation of
schools, more equitable distribution
Of railroad taxes and practical method
Of saving to the school fund the estates
Of persons dying without heir or will.
The study of the elements of agri-
cultural and domestic science should be
49, j.. I<,As
scribed for the construction of school
houses with particular reference to san
tation and fire protection. Fire drills
should be compulsory. A system of
state inspection should be devised so
hat the state superintendent should
rave closer supervision of county super
and rural schools. The coun-
y superintendent'S Office should be non
partisan. To effect this, party nomina-
ions for that office should be abolish
-un as an independent.
Electors residing in cities of the first
and second class should not be permit
ed to vote for county superintendent
If the counties in which they are stu
ated.
A minimum salary should be pre-
scribed for teachers. and some method
Of making it an inducement to COM
fession as their life work should be
devised. There is also a demand for
liberal support for the bureau of ami
NAL industry at the Agricultural col
lege.
The schools for colored youth at
Quindaro and Topeka are especially
worthy of your concern. They are do
ing a noble work in practical instruc-
ton not alone in scholastic training but
in the industrial and mechanics arts.
They train the colored youth to become
efficient wage-workerS and thus to be-
come self-reliant useful citizens of the
state.
The great institutions of higher
will require a continuance of
the same liberal treatment which the
legislature has accorded them for the
past few years. Their especial needs
will be submitted to you by the man
aging boards or by the executive heads
Of these institutions at your con-
venience.
School Books
The unsatisfactory condition under
which we secure our text books for the
public schools has given just cause for
agitation for state publication of these
books. There is no doubt whatever that |
the labor and mechanical work can be
done better in Kansas than elsewhere, |
but the question of securing manuscript |
Of the right quality and character is
really the vital issue involved.
I recommend the appointment of an
honorary commission to serve without
pay to make an exhaustive investiga- |
ton of the question of securing manu- |
scripts of the highest quality and |
character. Until this matter has been |
determined by competent judges the
enactment of law providing for state |
of school books appears to
me like a leap in the dark, involving |
The most vital interests of our state. |
An appropriation not to exceed $1,000 !
should be made to be used by this /
to employ a stenographer, |
whose office shall be in the state house |
and to defray actual expenses, and to |
advertise in all necessary school jour |
lals for manuscripts and enable the |
commission, to communicate with per- /
IONS who are in a position to furnish