Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-08-19
GOVERNOR SHAFROTHS MESSAGE
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY Y

OfueE. simultaneously Lieutenant 1Of-
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 u 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
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-
sion. constitute such an extraordinary
occasion as tustilies the calling OF
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-
% eeeaon Of Of s TSs qn
Commission Act OF this state Few
weeks aSo was declared unconstitu-
entity needed.
l have always believed that if the
could convene for the. purpose OF con-
:idering only the pledges, upon which
state OF Colorado desired those prom
tses enacted into laws. that they would
same. knowing that the people In
parts OF the state have clearly ex-
Sf the pla,sorm IN senal sha S sR
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
Will vote in favor OF the enactment Of
laws In accordance with the promises
made ,,S % ,h., the people, Il mus, be borne
measures most vital principles OF self
government.
Of the pledges. this General Assembly
has made the best record OF any in the
history TSy OF The state O. Colorado:
Bureau and OF n State Highway Com
mission are examples OF excellent con-
.tructive legislation. which must pro-
oucc enormous benefits to Colorado.
The act psohibi'ipg persons other
state ITSELF. from eontributing to po-
litical campaign expenses will In the
future prevent large corruption funds.
n m al re- M n gA Lac NaaFa "a
more satisfactory TO the people.
The Public Examiner Act. with pow
gate. BY witnesses @ under oath. % the ae-
counts and expenditures OF all state
graft and extravaganza.
The laws which have for their OBJ
delinquent children. and the laws deal
ing with penlts ntlary convicts are the
The law establishing the Home for
Me. tai Detectives creates a most hu-
untortunates and meets with t-.e ap-
proyal OF all.
acts stand to your credit.
The appropriations which were made
by you have been for those purposes
durable brick and stone buildings has
never been equalled by any three pre-
There has been. or Is now being con-
sbrae r9s'Gd SI,ii1 from your ,apPTSpTlasi,Gns'
at cost of ,Ss .ne sneh inssne t@a saiSnF ASn:
and a central heating and lighting
plant at the University. at n cost OF
NAL School at Greeley. at a cost of
100000; a building and plant at the
600: % SniIdiRs az % al the Home a. sGsa for u Ment.i 1
i1e AZ the state Normal School a, Gun
20 accommodate the exhibits OF the
State Historical Association. now in
buildings at the Home To- for I dependent;
Children: at a cost Of $4,000: buildings
Industrial school for Boys. at a cost
OF $4,000: a building. with artesian
trial school for Girls. at a cost OF ss.-
900. the completion of a building and
Saase at Of eos eos Of of SS .ss sus
Ing gt the state penitentIary. at a cost
of $4,000. which could no, have been
the completion of building at the
state Reformatory, at cost OF slt.50o,
contract for less than sac. 900.
In addition. large sums OF money for
tmproNements and repairs at state In
these Institutions have also been pro-
vided with larger maintenance funds
state.
AS proud as I am of these achieve
rnents OF this General Assembly. feel
that II would be a shame IL such an
excellent record should be ruarred by
the failure to redeem the pledges made
60 the people. It Is said that promises
which cannot be enforced in law are
more sacred than legal obligations. be-
cause they imply n confidence and
trust which appeal to the integrity
ond honor OF the person promising. a
shsck 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 Is yours he 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