Gilpin observer., 1910-07-21
Add ress to the People.


the Assembly, Governor Shafroth also
gave out an address to the people"
regarding the call, and it is under
stood that he will go into details quite
fully in message to the Assembly
when it convenes.
The governors address is as fol-
lows:
To the People of the State of Colo
AS Governor of the State / have to-
day issued a call for special session
of the General Assembly of Colorado,
and l deem 1t proper to state to you
the reasons which impelled me to take
Inat action:
The present officers of the state and
members of the General Assembly were
elected upon platform which made spe-
cific pledges to the people. These pledges
provided for the enactment of the fol-
lowing laws: The initiative and referen-
dunn. the straight Australian ballot. the
direct primary, the election of United
States senators by direct vote of the
people. the guaranty of bank deposits,
sion, fashioned after the New York law,
and a railroad law which would vest ade-
quate authority In commission to right
wrongs, and which would prevent the
giving or accepting of free transporta-
ton. All of these measures tend to bring
administrative affairs nearer to the peo-
ernment.
Some of these pledges were contained
in the platform of the other great po-
litical party of this state. In my inaug-
uraI address / called the attention of the
General Assembly to the fact that these
pledges constituted contracts with the
people and should be faithfully fulfilled.
Two weeks before the adjournment OF
the General Assembly in message, 1
again urged the enactment of these plat
form pledges into law. and stated that
In the event substantial compliance here
with was not made that l would convene
the General Assembly in special session
for the purpose of having 1t fulfill these
platform promises. The House of Rep
resentatives passed nearly all of the bills
Democratic and Republican senators.
sufficient to constitute a majority of the
Senate. failed or refused to pass any OF
the measures.
be my imperative duty to give one more
opportunity to the General Assembly to
redeem these contracts of honor.
The constitution of this state vests the
governor with power. on extraordinary
occasion. to convene the General Assem-
bly, by proclamation, stating therein. the
purpose for which II is to assemble, sand
1t provides that no business shall be
transacted at such special session other
than that specifically named in the proc
lamation.
The very highest duty of public Off
, cials is the fuifillment of pledges made
to obtain office; and. when they fan or
refuse 10 perform that Outy, IL is a SHOCK
to the moral sense of the people VINO
trusted them. There Is no way Of rec
ufying the betrayal of such confidence
under our laws.
The failure of legislators to fulfill SOL
emn pledges made to the people there
fore. alone. In my judgment. constitutes
such an extraordinary occasion as war
rants the convening of u special session
OF the Legislature.
1t is absurd to contend that these
measures can ue enacted at the general
xtrta N...tC N ns4Mt
On account OF the multiplicity OF meas
ures coming before regular SESSION,
special interests are enabied to inoucs
members 10 vote against their pledges
and then have them justify such woes
by claiming that they thereby were en-
aDled to get large appropriations Tor
their respective counties. Many OF these
measures have been introduced and
urged in every regular session of the
past sixteen years, and yet by reason OF
the persuasive influence of corporations
and the diverse interests OF the mem
bers OF each assembly they have failed
each time of passage. 1t is only in a
special session, when the attention OF
members Is confined to few subjects.
tnat we can hope to pass these meas
ures. By reference to the session laws
of Colorado 1t will be seen that some
OF the very best legislation now on the
statute books of this state were enacted
at special sessions Of the General As
sembly.
The initiative and referendum law re-
and unless passed at this session could
not be voted on until the November cleo
ton Of 1912.
The straight Australian ballot law un-
less passed with an emergency clause
cannot become operative until the fall
election OF 1912.
The railroad commission law OF this
state was declared unconstitutional only
"A few days ago and there is urgent need
for such "A tribunal.
These instances warrant the calling of
special session. but the greatest ne
cessIty therefor arises from the fact
that though pledged. none of these laws
would likely be passed at a regular
session. Inc SITUATION therefore, pro-
duces the alternative of an extra session
or no laws.
These measures are not partisan in
their nature. They have been enacted in
both Democratic and Republican states.
The direct primary has been enacted
in twenty-six states; the Initiative
and referendum in eight states; the
states; the bank guaranty law in four
states. the public service commission
In New York and other states. and the the
Union except Utah. Delaware and Colo
rado. know OF no instance where any
one of these laws has been repealed.
| These measures will have a tendency to
restore to the citizens those rights which
were intended by the trainers of our gov
pie.
1t has been contended by the opposing
members OF the General Assembly. as "A
reason for not supporting these meas
ures. that the people are not in favor OF
! the same. 1t seems therefore. proper
4 that the county conventions of all the
| political parties of this state should ex-
press themselves upon whether these
laws should be enacted l have the ut
most confidence that no regular conven.
tion. of any political party, will advise
the reputation Of platform promises.
Believing that legislators will truly
represent their constituents when they
| fully realize that the people do want
| these reforms enacted into laws. l have
the highest hopes that most beneficial
results will come from the convening OF
| this special session of the General As
| sembly. Respectfully.
JOHN F. SHAFROTH.
Governor.