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


has been the most important triumph
for the preservation of popular gov
eminent which this generation has
witnessed. There is no good measure
which can long be denied to the peo-
pie while this effective law is on the
statute books. 1t brings back to the
people absolutely the right to make
and unmake their public servants.
Pure Food.
The proper value of the food and
drug law to the consumers of Kansas
cannot be estimated or measured by
| the half million dollars which has
been saved through the enforcement
| of this act. The improved sanitary
conditions and character of food pro-
ducts are so marked as to cause most
| favorable comment throughout thee
state. I recommend that the inspec-
tors force OF the board OF health be
ed.
tuberculosis
Upwards of one million dollars has
been expended In America during
the last year in an organized effort to
check the progress and stamp out, If
possible, the great white plague.
Statistics furnished by the state
board of health indicate that there
culosis in Kansas. This disease is in
fictitious and may be communicated
from the sick to the well. The infec-
ton and spread of tuberculosis can be
sanitary measures.
1 recommend that the state board of
health be provided with sufficient
means to make a statewide campaign
for the purpose of holding public meet
ings in every city, village and hamlet
in Kansas to give the people instruc-
ton in the best methods of protecting
themselves against this dread disease.
Forestry.
The free distribution of trees at the
Ogallah and. Dodge City forestry sta
lions should be discontinued. Like most
gifts at public expense, the trees given
away have been neglected and the for
ester reports very few Of them are
growing. The money spent In raising
trees to be given away could be used to
good advantage in experimentation and
in showing how and what forest trees
may be successfully cultivated and
grown on our western plains. The time
has come to take hold of forestry de-
velopment in Kansas in a practical way.
recommend one state forester who is
a graduate of some reputable agricul-
tural school and also has taken a
special course in forestry and is up-to-
date in practical work of tree planting
in this part of the country, with sal
airy of $1,000 per annum, and an assist
ant with salary of $1,000 per annum.
The state forester should give lectures
at farmers institutes and prepare and
distribute bulletins pertaining to tree
culture; and, in general. his work should
be along the lines so successfully follow
ed by the experimental departments of
the State Agricultural college.
Court Delays.
The State Bar association has pre-
pared a new and revised code of civil
procedure designed to speed court liti-
cation. Able lawyers have freely given
their time to this work. 1t merits your
careful attention. The one great re-
form in court procedure is to abolish
vexatious and costly delays. Some
states withhold the salary of judges
xrvI,A oil Il I'D
time. Kansas can make no mistake by
doing likewise. Appeals on technical
errors, which are not material or pre-
judicial, should be prohibited by law.
and appeals on technicalities which the
supreme court decide have no merit
should subject the appellant to sub
stantial costs.
Reapportionment.
I recommend a reapportionment of the
legislative districts of Kansas providing
that each county entitled to representa-
ton under the constitution shall be repre-
scented.
DereIict Officers.
Some state laws provide for the recall
of derelict or incompetent officers. The
evil aimed at is serious but the remedy
seems cumbersome and expensive. The
same result can be much more speedily
accomplished by authorizing the removal
of such undesirable public servants by a
civil action such as is now the law relat-
officials for non-enfrocement of the pro-
hibitory law.
Consolidation of Beads
The business management of the peni-
Tertiary and Hutchinson reforrnatory
should be vested in the board of control
This is only in line with sound business
methods in vogue in other progressive
states like our own.
state Debt.
The state school fund holds the bonds
representing the state DEBT; The the in 1s15
be sold at once and the proceeds applied
to the LIQUIDATION Of the debt, and the
whole debt paid within d reasonable time.
Reference Library Bureau.
Legislators frequently find it difficult
to obtain reliable information relating to
laws. statistics and governmental affairs.
matter to industrious but inexperienced
lawmakers. A reference library bureau
this purpose and for the dissemination of
useful information to students OF political
1 advise the enactment of such law.
OIL Inspection.
/ recommend that the offices Of the five
deputy oil inspectors. who receive salary
be abolished. I am advised that these
OFFICERS are not necessary to the proper
TRANSACTION of the business connected with
49, Campaign Expenses.
I recommend the enactment of a law
expenditures of all moneys used for cam
paign purposes with appropriate penalties
Omnibussing.
need hardly say that the practice OF
omnibussinE legislative bills Is absolutely
onIy the rule U Of law forbidding the i'm
parchment of legislative journals has per-
mitted such legislation to stand, but the
bills to slip through the legislature without
careful scrutiny, and I urge you to abol-
Special Legislation.
urge upon you the utter futility of
most of the characteristic special leglsIa-