Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-01-14

Governor or Kansas
state university, agricultural callege and
normal schools have made phenomenal
progress in practical useful and scientific
work, and have increased the number OF
students almost 100 per cent within Pc
Rod Of Ave years.
The charitable institutions are well es-
tablished on humane and buSine .,II 2
basis. They are managed more with
View Of giving the helpless. sick and In
0ane inmates Blillful, scientific treatment
proper care and kind attention than on an
economic basis, but In the end ! believe
these modern methods will prove the most
me penal institutions have made nplen-
ala progress in the direction OF hitting
men for practical work after they are re-
leased from confinement In place OF the
old methods OF punishment, when aP-
meals to me as more consistent with the
brinciples Of a Christian civilization.
II Ii my hope that the present session
Of the legislature will break all records
IN the enactment Of good and useful laws,
as compared with former sessions In Kan,
gas and other states. It would be novel
proceeding to witness the members OF the
Kansas legislature settling down to work
six days In the week from the commence
ment to the end OF the session, forgetting
every personal interest and being con
Dclous only OF their great public response
hility and the important work. which mas
been entrusted to them by their neigh
bors, friends end citizens-all Of whom
viii Judge you by your works when you
return home a.. :.
ment OF public utilities law IN Kansas,
using whatever may be used to advant-
are Of the present railroad law as basis
and adding the best features Of the New
York and Wisconsin public utilities laws
which have had q severe practical test
This law should empower compassion
70 supervise not only the railroads. but
All public utilities, including water, gas,
electric light, heat, power, express car
pipe line, telegraph and teiepno SSs T S',i,
ties; also the jurisdiction over the issue
Of stocks, bonds and securities OF railway
and all other public utilities corporations;
also, the power Of determining whether
public necessity and convenience demand aas.
way, or additional water, gas, and cleo
trio light plants In communities where
there 10 In operation a plant OF similar
character. under an indeterminate, fran
nhysicai value Of ali public utilities prop
erty within the borders OF the state.
This commission should consist OF hvt
members to be appointed by the governor
and be . subject to removal by MIN Ioi
cause. This law should also provide FOL
three railroad commissioners to be par
OF this commission during the ensuing two
years. eSf 2lj1 mn
We are spending more than q miillor
dollars a year on the public highways o
Kansas without making permanent i'm
proyements worthy OF melton. II THU
amount OF money was used In scientific
business-llke way, and the work don't
regularly and systematically by men wht
are skilled In road building, y would onl!
require q few years to give Kansas per
feet system Of public highways,
Kansas cannot construct public high
ways without an amendment to our con
stitution. But the state can provide law
authorizing each county 70 ouid ant
maintain permanent roads.
The new tax law provides for the as
seBsmene Of all property at Its true valu
and the purpose OF this law Is TO com
pel ali personal and real property to bea
M equal burden Of the tax. With tn
state tan commission. county commits
sioners and assessors In the cities an
counties all directly responsible to tn
voters and tax payers for their nomina
ton and election, the administration Q
the law should become more and NOR
equitable and eficient.
The present banking law Is one Of III
very best state laws In the Union and tn
state banks Of Kansas are worthy OF tn
confidence OF the people. 1 reeommen
vidinE that no bank shall receive deposit
IN excess OF ten times the amount OF II
EaaitaI stock and. HupfiluS
r5Very BtUtnails,-sr nrrsefu - tegoitN
70 make under oath an annual statemen
Tor publication showing whether or no
~ has sufacient property free OF exemp
fIons and membranes 10 make good hi
double Inability as a Btockholder In cas-
hlg bank should fan
FAM directors should be compelled
Law to Give personal attention to the du
49, 81 Their once with proper penalte
,srencrihed for neglect or violation thereo
The corporation law should oe amende
- A % provide for receNera 70 oorrel
rSrDorsfe abuses and when corrected
forf back the corporate propertyi Wlthot
fI1rolvlng the earporation. into the hand
"a ~ oWnorr and nnanagers suhiect
,-.nl rtrnif - aupplt mentary % n
'--,~;-f ~ ~ that eitheT Judgment ma
rron5d1old q ~ dlsotstioh q q
court 80 rt 1911 .
Ihs pre,.At saael'nf a.. ses ag .ls,1