Gilpin observer., 1911-01-12
INAUGURAL
ADDRESS
GOV. JOHN r. sHAFRoTH TO THE
EIGHTEENTH GENER-
AL ASSEMBLY.
TUESDAY JANUARY 10
MAKES SEvERAL REcoMMENDA. A.
TioNs FOR NEW LAWS AND
OTHER CHANGES.
Extracts.

Extracts.
The majority of the members of this
General Assembly were elected ty the
people upon a platform, which real
firmed the pledges of two years ago.
All of these platform pledges were
not enacted into law by the Seven
| teenth General Assembly, although
there were passed three great reform
laws, namely, the initiative and refer
endum, the direct primary and the
Oregon provisions for electing United
States senators. There still remain
of those promises unredeemed-First:
The headless ballot law; second: the
bank guaranty law and, third: an eff
fective railroad, or public service law.
The HeadIess Ballot.
The sentiment has been growing for
years, in nearly every state in the
Union, in favor of compelling the vot-
ers at elections to vote upon each can
didate for office. This can only be ac-
complished by adopting what is called
the pure Australian Ballot or
"Headiess Ballot" which prevents the
voting of a straight party ticket. Peo-
pie are generally recognizing that the
administration of state and county
governments is merely the conduct
| ing of great business enterprises, and
that the men best qualified for that
purpose should be selected. 1t is for
this reason that candidates are often
elected to office in state and county
governments, irrespective of their be-
liefs upon national questions. The
headless ballot has tendency to pre-
vent the nomination of men for office,
who are not qualified for the posi-
tions, or whose regulations are not
good. Officials under such system
know that they must stand on their
own records and cannot conceal their
misconduct under their party name.
Many states in the Union have had
the headless ballot in operation for
years. l have not been able to find
that single state which once adopt
ed the name has ever repealed it.
That very fact is most excellent
endorsement of the wise policy of sucl
law.
Bank Guaranty Law.
At various times there has been IN
this country financial panics. caused
very largely by banks being unable to
meet the demands for payment of de-
posits, It seems, therefore, that now
is the most appropriate time to enact
law, which will secure the payment
Of deposits, or which, in its direct ef-
feet, will cause the depositors, in their
own interest, not to demand from the
banks the payment of their deposits.
The Supreme Court of the United
States a few days ago upheld the con-
stitutionality of the bank guaranty
laws, Of Oklahoma, Kansas and Ne
braska, each of which require the
banks to contribute to the guaranty
fund. 1t, therefore, seems to ME to
be wise to enact bank guaranty law
in this state. 1t is not only wise, but
also a solemn obligation.
l. Railroad Law.
Another pledge to the people made
by our political party was that the
Railroad Commission should be en-.
dowed with like powers and duties or
the Public Service Commission OF
New York, SO far as the same are
applicable to our state.
The power to fix rates by railroad
commission seems to be opposed very
strenuously by the railroad companies
of the state When we consider that
il railroad commission makes an un
reasonable rate against the railway
companies, the decision can be re-
viewed by the courts of the land. and
the reasonableness of the rate deter.
mined, upon judicial investigation and
hearing, the yesting of such power in
a commission cannot be considered as
dangerous.
If a commission were to fix such un-
fair rates the courts would not per-
nit them to be enforced. 1t seems,
therefore. that the provision of giving
power to railroad commission to fix
rates is simply power given to them
to prevent excessive rates against the
| CHI ho N nbipctiOn
to a power being vested in the rail-
way commission to fix rates. The rail
road commissions OF majority OF
the states of the Union are possessed
Of that power.
Registration Law.
The passage of good registration
bill is Indispensable to the successful
operation of the direct primary cleo
ton law passed at the last session OF
the General Assembly.
Board Of Control for Penal Institutions.
feel that IL all the penal institu-
tions were under the control OF a cen
tral board, consisting of three per
sons, to be paid fair salaries, and to
be required to devote all of their time
to the duties OF their office, that a saw
ing Of at least 100000 per annum
could be made.
-Four Years Term for State Officers
l believe that it is to be best inter
est of the state of Colorado that the
constitution should be amended so as
to make the term of all OF the exc
cutive officers four instead OF tive
years.
suggest that bill be passed re
ouiring that all contributions for po
litical purposes should be made to the
chairmen Of the respective State and
County Central Committees.
Inasmuch as the protection OF Goa
mines and the prevention Of explo
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