The Lamar register., 1910-08-17
GOVERNOR SHAFROTHS MESSAGE
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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-
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 Senators 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
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
ering each of the platform pledges
were duly introduced, but all fliled of
passage.
The fact that the General Assembly
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-
sion. constitute such an extraordinary
occasion as justifies the calling of a
special session of the General Assem-
bly,. Besides 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-
gency clause at this session. until the
Commission Act of this state a few
weeks ago was declared unconstitu-
tional and such commission is urg-
have always believed that II the
members OF this General Assembly
could convene for the purpose of con-
sidering only the, pledges upon which
they were elected, and IL they knew
state OF Colorado desired those prom
ises enacted Into laws. that they would
not hesitate TO vote in favor OF the
parts OF the state have clearly ex-
pressed themselves in behalf of some
of the platform measures. and that the
people of the various political parties
of this state believe that pledges upon
which officials are elected to office
are sacred and should be fulfilled. feel
confident that the majority of the
members of this General Assembly
laws In accordance with the promises
made 20 the people. 1t must be borne
in mind that there is at stake In these
measures most vital principles of self
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.
nth, The creation Of a state Immigration
mission are examples of excellent con-
.tructive legislation. which must pro-
duce enormous benefits to Colorado.
The act prohibiting persons other
than candidates themselves. and the
state itself. from contributing to po-
future prevent large corruption funds,
and thereby make elections purer and
more satisfactory to the people.
The Public Examiner Act. with pow
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
The laws which have for their OBJ
1ect the rescuing and redemption OF
Delinquent children. and the laws deal al
very best that have been devised by
any. legislative body.
The law establishing the Home for
Mental Detectives creates n most hu-
name institution for the care Of our
prfoItunates and meets with tie APP
Many other wholesome and remedial
acts stand to your credit.
by you have been for those purposes
most needed. and such a showing In
durable brick and stone buildings has
never been equalled by any three pre-
vious General Assemblies combined.
There has been. or is now being con-
three Buildings at the Insane Asylum.
at a cost Of s55. 900 each: two buildings
and a central heating, beating and Lighting light
3i76.o0O; a building at the State Nor.
NAL School at Greeley. at cost OF
State School OF Mines. at a cost of sT5.:
900; building at the Home Tor Mentai
i na at the STATE ~ f Ssr1al school at Gum
nison. at n cost of $4,000; building
TO accommodate the exhibits OF the
the state Capitol. at a cost OF 100000:
buildings at the Home for Dependent
at the School for the Deaf and Blind,
at a cost of si3l0o: building at the
dpd9ssrlal school , f9r Boys Win at
well and sewer system. at the Indus
trial school for Girls. at a cost OF So;
College. at cost of $4,000: a build.
OF Of SIS. 600. when could not have been
built by contract for less than $4,000:
the compilation OF a building a.. AZ IN me
which could not have been built by
contract for less than $4,000.
In addition. large sums OF money Tor
improvements and repairs at state In
stitutions have been wisely expended;
these institutions have also been pro-
vided 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. feel
that II would be shame IL 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 confidence anu
trust which appeal to the integrity
and honor Of the person promising:
shock to the moral sense. followed by
a feeling of resentment. occurs when
electors find that they have been duped
and deceived. Do not let such SPLEEN
did record as Is yours be overshad-
owed by failure to redeem our con-
tracts of honor.
Initiative and Referendum.
In my Judgment one of the most i'm
portant of these pledges is the Initi-
alive and Referendum Law.
No matter what the cause may be.
II is clear. from a survey of the legis-
lative history of the various states of
the Union, that legislatures. upon GER
tain matters. did not represent the will
of the people who elected them. 1t is.
therefore. of the utmost Importance.
under such conditions. that electors
should have the right to initiate and
reject legislation which may be passed
by General Assemblies.
Under our form of government all
laws are supposed to represent the will
of the majority: then by what line of