The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-01-14

adopted this method of taxation with en-
tirely satisfactory results.
1. There has been a remarkable and
beneficial change in the method Of deal
ing with prisoners at the state >peniten-
tiary by Warden Codding and the board
Of directors The physical property OF
the institution has been greatly improved
in many ways. The number of hogs
raised has been increased from about 200
per annum to 500; the herd of cattle has
increased from % to something like 100
head. including COWS and calves The
output Of the Irvine plant has been
greatly increased, and the management
vastly improved While the cost OF liY-
two years. the expense for food and
clothing at the state prison has been
kept down TO practically the same amount
per capita as it was during the previous
year. There has been, however, a con-
siderable sum expended out of the main
tenance fund to increase the dairy herd
and make general improvements of the
property which increases the general
maintenance cost of the institution The
number of employees at the penitentiary
has been reduced from 103, the number
allowed by the last legislature to 90.
1. Our new inheritance tax law was
enacted at the very last night of the
legislature two years ago. The bill was
passed without having the consideration
and attention that such an important
measure deserves II came to the gov
errors Office for approval with some bad
features that should have been changed
by the legislature, but regarded the law
as too important a piece OF legislation
to veto
l. AS a result OF the laws enacted by
the legislature two years ago there has
been more or less Improvement in many
localities in the condition of the public
highways. The economic value of good
roads cannot be oVer-estimated.
/ iS wealth T1r0-
ducing power and force in the world to-
day 1t tills the soil, builds cities. con-
structs and operates railroads and ships,
provides fuel and manufactured products
for mans use from mines and forests,
and is the foundation and support of
all civilized life. That the laborer is
worthy of his hire no man can honestly
dispute. Every civilized nation on earth
leads America in protecting the rights,
lives and limbs of persons employed in
hazardous work for public benefit and
comfort.
2 I recommend that this legislature
do full justice to the cause of labor in
Kansas and recognize through just and
equitable laws the principles advocated
by Lincoln that the rights of men are
superior to the rights of property.
l. recommend that this legislature
enact law which will provide a peni-
Tertiary sentence as penalty upon the
second and subsequent convictions for
violation of the prohibitory law The
Federal government provides a peniten-
tiary sentence already for the violation
of the internal revenue laws
1. 1 recommend that this legislature
submit to the voters of Kansas at the
next general election an amendment to
our state constitution which will permit
the recall of derelict, incompetent and
unfaithful officers, similar to that now
granted to cities of the first class which
have adopted commission forms of gov
e,-77 ont ole IT.
legislature Immediately give the people
the right to promptly recall every public
officer whose election is based on statu-
tory rather than upon constitutional au-
thority.
1. 1 also recommend that you submit
to the people of Kansas a constitutional
amendment in 1912 giving them the right
to initiate legislation and to vote upon
certain legislative enactments, similar to
amendments that have been adopted in
Maine, Oregon, South Dakota and other
states.
primary election law so that delegates to
the National convention may be elected
at the primary election. and that the
names of the candidates for President
and Vice President shall be placed on
the ballot that the people of Kansas may
instruct their delegates on nominations
for President and Vice President.
by unanimous decision of the su-
preme Court. of the United States, the
bank guaranty law has been upheld
This decision affects the underlying fun
damental principles of the entire bank
ing system of the United States, and will
eventually cause all depositors of money
in banks to have some form of surety
or security for their deposits.
2. The state bank commissioners Of
flee has been thoroughly reorganized and
is doing excellent and effective work
The examination of state banks under
this administration has been the most
searching and buSineSS-like of any bank
examination that I have ever known of
either state or national banks. About
four hundred banks have taken advant-
age of the bank guaranty law, and in so
far as I am advised, are well pleased
with its operation.
1. 1 recommend that you adopt i'm
mediateIy the Oregon plan which gives
the people a right to vote at the general
election for the partisan nominees for
United States Senator.
Wonderful progress has been made dur
ing the past year in stamping out tuber-
culosis. Its progress has been checked
with great vigor and intelligence. I hope
you will give the campaign that is being
waged against it your best encourage
awful plague and source of human grief
may be stamped out in our state.
1. ] recommend that in counties hav-
ing $4,000 more inhabitants all fees
and officials placed on a salary basis. 1
am advised that in the larger counties
some officials have received as high as
from five to ten thousand dollars in fees
per year, which is entirely out of proper
ton to the earning capacity of the av-
erage taxpayer.
L At the last session of the legislature
L recommended the enactment of a law
providing for a flat two-cent passenger
rate in Kansas; also that the anti-pass
law should be entirely rewritten limit
ing free transportation to bona fide rail-
road employees and their families and
excluding all others.
2 1 now renew this recommendation
to this legislature.
L Kansas is not receiving her proper
share of the movement westward of farm
ers who are migrating from the high
priced lands in the Mississippi valley and
the eastern states. Other states and ma
lions are making a systematic effort to
secure these farmers.
, I recommend that the secretary of
the state board of agriculture which Of
flee is now held by Mr.. Coburn, be made
the official commissioner of immigration
for the purpose of sending out literature
and advertising Kansas to prospective
land buyers and settlers, and that he be
70 enter fiov,