The Elbert County tribune., 1910-08-19

Denver.-At noon Tuesday Speaker
Harry l. Lubers called the House to
order. simultaneously Lieutenant Gov
ernor Fitzgerald. presiding officer of
the Senate, pounded the gavel for or
der in the upper branch and the ex-
traordinary session Of the Seventeenth
General Assembly was then under
way.
After the employees OF both houses
were sworn in the senators marched
over to the House chamber, where the
message of Governor Shafroth was
read, which is in full as follows:
To the Senator'S and Representatives of
the Seventeenth General Assembly of
the State of Colorado:
Gentlemen:
The majority OF the members of this
General Assembly were elected by the
people upon a platform. which declared
in favor of certain measures. to be en-
acted at the regular session of this
Legislature. The other members were
elected upon platforms that contained
some of the same promises. Bills COW
ering each of the platform pledges
were duly introduced, but all failed of
passage
The fact that the General Assembly
adjourned without enacting into law a
single one of the pledges upon which
Its members were elected. and the fact
that those pledges could not be enact
ed into laws at regular session. as
fully explained in my address which
accompanied the call for this extra ses-
occasion as Justifies the calling of a
special session of the General Assem-
bly,. Besides a law amending the con-
stitution SO as to permit the initiation
and referendum OF measures. unless
passed now could not be voted upon
the Headless Ballot could not become
operative. unless passed with an emer-
faii election OF 1912. The railroad
Commission Act of this state few
weeks ago was declared unconstitu-
tional and such q commission Is urg-
emily needed
have always believed that II the
could convene for the purpose of con-
sidering only the pledges upon which
that a majority Of the people Of the
state of Colorado desired those prom
ises enacted into laws. that they would
not hesitate to vote in favor of the
same. Knowing that the people in
parts OF the state have clearly ex-
of the platform measures. and that the
people of the various political parties
of this state believe that pledges upon
are sacred and should be fulfilled. feel
confident that the majority of the
VIII vote in favor of the enactment of
laws in accordance with the promises
I
in mind that there is at stake in these
measures most vital principles of self
government.
With the exception of the redemption
OF the pledges. this General Assembly
has made the best record of any in the
history of the state of Colorado.
The creation of State Immigration
Bureau and of a State Highway Com
structive legislation, which must pro
duce enormous benefits to Colorado
The act prohibiting persons other
state itself from contributing to po-
litical campaign expenses win in the
and thereby make elections purer and
more satisfactory to the people.
The Public Examiner Act, with pow
er to examine and thoroughly investi-
gate. by witnesses under oath the ac-
counts and expenditures of all state
and county. offices is bound to have
salutary effect and largely prevent
graft and extrayagance.
1ect the rescuing and redemption of
delinquent children. and the laws deal
Ing with penitentiary convicts are. the
any legislative, body.
The law establishing the Home for
name institution for the care of our
unfortunates and meets with lie ap-
The approprfations which were made
needeS snd saeh noI
durable brick and stone buildings has
Toss s1uass by three
There has been. or is now being con-
structed from your appropriations.
at cost Of ae each nssoe tWo baiisings
and central heating and lighting
siasooe SuiIdins at the at state soss Nor
100000; building and plant at the
600; building at the Home for Mental
Detectives. at a cost of $4,000; build
nson at at eos of badng at
20 accommodate the exhibits of the
State Historical Association. now in
the state Capitol, at a cost of 100000 !;
buildings at the Home for Dependent
Children, & at cost Of $4,000: buildings
>at a cost, Of s1s.1oo: building at the
Industrial School for Boys. at cost
of Of, $4,000; bu:lding. with artesian
900; the completion OF a building and
coese at eos Of Of sss bud
ing at the state penitentiary. at cost
built BY contract for less than 10000 |;
state Reformatory, at a cost Of sI4,5oo.
contract for less than $4,000.
In addition. large sums of money for
stitutions have been wisely expended: !:
these institutions have also been pro-
yided with larger maintenance funds
than ever before in the history of the
state.
AS proud as am of these achieve
ments of this General Assembly, I feel
that 1t would be shame II such an
excellent record should be marred by
the failure to redeem the pledges made
to the people. 1t is said that promises
which cannot be enforced in law are
more sacred than legal obligations. be-
cause they imply a confidence and
trust which appeal to the integrity
and honor OF the person promising; A
: feeling of resentment, occurs when
electors find that they have been duped
and deceived. Do not let such splen-
did record as is yours be overshad-
owed by failure to redeem our con-
tracts of honor