The Colorado statesman., 1910-08-13
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 or
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 a regular session, as
fully explained in my address which
accompanied the call for this extra ses-
sion, constitute such an extraordinary
occasion as 1ustifies 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
NnVpnlh election
the Headless Ballot could not become
operative, unless passed with an emer-
fan election of 1912. The Railroad
Commission Act of this state few
weeks ago was declared unconstitu-
tional and such commission is urg-
emily needed.
/ have always believed that If the
members of this General Assembly
could convene for the purpose of con-
sidering only the pledges upon which
they We're elected, and If they knew
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
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
Will vote IN taNOr OF the enactment Oh
laws in accordance with the promises
made 70 the people 1t must be borne
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 a State Immigration
Bureau and of a State Highway Com
mission are examples of excellent con-
structive 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-
litical campaign expenses will in the
future prevent large corruption funds,
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 extravagance.
The laws which have for their OBJ
ject the rescuing and redemption of
delinquent children, and the laws deal
ing with penitentiary convicts are the
The law establishing the Home for
Mental Detectives creates a most hui
name institution for the care of our
unfortunates and meets with the ap-
proval of all.
Many other wholesome and remedial
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-
structed from your appropriations
three buildings at the Insane, Asylum
and central heating and lighting
plant at the University, at a cost of
$176,O00; a building at the State Nor.
nj OF 81
100000; building and plant at the
State School of Mines, at cost of $751;
Detectives, at cost of 10000; a build
ing at the State Normal School at Gun
nison, at a cost of $4,000; building
State Historical Association. now in
the state Capitol, at a cost of 500, 900;
buildings at the Home for Dependent
at the School for the Deaf and Blind.
at a cost, Of s1s.1oo; building at the
of $4,000; a building, with artesian
well and sewer system. at the Indus
trial School fTr Girls 81 at GEst Of sS
eofSase coiiege, at cost cost Of Of Sc 5000; build
ing at the state penitentiary, at cost
of $4,000. which could nor have been
built by contract for less than $4,000:
the completion of building at tbs the
which could not have been built by
contract for less than $4,000.
In ADDITION, large sums OF money lor
improvements and repairs at state in
| stitutlons 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. 1 feel
| that 1t would be shame If 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
| 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 a splen-
| did record as is yours be overshad-
| owed by failure to redeem our con-