Gilpin observer., 1910-08-11
GOVERNOR SHAFROTH'S MESSAGE
TO The GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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 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
people upon 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 u
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 a 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 law amending the con-
stitution SO as to permit the initiation
and referendum OF measures. unless
passed now, could not be voted upon
until the November election In 1912:
the Headless Ballot could not become
operative. unless passed with an emer-
Commission Act of this state few
weeks ago was declared unconstitu-
emily needed.
have always believed that If the
members OF this General Assembly
they were elected. and If they knew
that 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-
pressed themselves in behalf of some
people OF the various political parties
CO 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
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 State Highway Com
mission are examples of excellent con-
structive legislation. which must pro-
duee enormous benefits to Colorado.
nt har
than candidates themselves. and the
state itself. from contributing to po-
future prevent large corruption funds:
and thereby make elections purer and
m9re Ts. ss,lsiacteTs susic R no ene psopntn tin now
er to examine and thoroughly investi-
gate. by witnesses under oath. the -ac
and county offices is bound to have
salutary effect and largely prevent
graft and extravaganza.
The laws which have for their OBJ
tect the rescuing and redemption of
delinquent children. and the laws deal
very bes, that have been devised by
any legislative body.
The law establishing the Home for
Mental Detectives creates most hu-
name institution for the care of our
unfortunates and meets with the ap-
Many other wholesome and remedial
acts stand to your credit.
The appropriations which were made
most needed, and such a showing In
durable brick and stone buildings has
never been equalled by any three pre-
yious General Assemblies combined.
There has been, or is now being con-
structed from your appropriations.
three buildings at the Insane ASYLUM.
at a cost of SIS. 900 each; two buildings
and a central heating and lighting
SIS. a 900. R building at ihe @ state os Nor Pl
NAL School at Greeley. at cost of
100000; building and plant at the
Stat Gaha ~ %
900; building at the Home for Mental
Detectives, at a cost of $4,000: a build
ing at the State Normal School at Gun
nison. at cost OF $4,000 a building
to accommodate the exhibits OF the
state Historical Association. now in
the, state Capitol. at cost of 100000: /:
buildings at the Home for Dependent
Children. at a cost OF $4,000; buildings
Industrial School for BOYS. at a cost
of $40 900; a building. with artesian
trial School for Girls. at a cost of 49,
900: the completion of a building and
purchase of land at the Agricultural
ing at the state penitentiary. at cost
of $4,000. which could not have been
built by contract for less than $4,000;
State Reformatory, at a cost of s14.500.
which could not have been built by
In addition. large sums OF money for
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 I am OF these achieve
ments OF this General Assembly. I feel
that 1t would be a 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 confidence and
trust which appeal to the integrity
and honor of the person promising. A
shock to the moral sense. followed by
feeling of resentment. occurs when
electors find that they have been duped
and deceived. Do not let such n splen-
did record as Is yours be overshad-
owed by failure to redeem our con-
tracts OF honor.