The Paonia newspaper., 1911-01-13
GOV. JOHN r. SHAFROTH TO THE
EIGHTEENTH GENER-
AL ASSEMBLY.
TUESDAY JANUARY 10
MAKES SEVERAL RECoMMENDA.
TiONS FOR NEW LAWS AND
OTHER CHANGES.
Extracts,

Extracts.
The majority of the members of this
General Assembly were elected ty tbs
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 ef-
fective railroad, or public service law.
The Headless 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
"Headless 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. II 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 a 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 a system
shaAr
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. | have not been able to find
that n single state which once adopt
ed the name has ever repealed IT,
That very fact is most excellent
endorsement of the wise policy Of suci
law.
Bank Guaranty Law
At various times there has been in
this country financial panies. caused
very largely by banks being unable TO
meet the demands for payment OF de-
posits. II seems. therefore. that nov
] is the most appropriate time TO enact
! n law, which will secure the payment
z OF deposits. or which. in its direct ef-
| feet, will cause the depositors. In their
I own interest. not 10 demand from the
banks the payment OF their deposits.
The Supreme Court OF the United
/ States few days ago upheld the con-
stitutiouality OF the bank guaranty
laws. Of Oklahoma. Kansas and Ne
I braska. each OF which require the
banks TO contribute to the guaranty
/ fund. II. therefore. seems to me 10
be wise TO enact a bank guaranty law
in this state. II is not only wise. but
also a solemn obligation.
Railroad Law.
Another pledge to the people made
| by our political party was that the
I Railroad Commission should be en-
dowed with like powers and duties OF
I the Public Service Commission OF
I 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 vesting of such power In
a commission cannot be considered as
dangerous.
ia commission were to fix such un'
fair rates the courts would not per
nit them to be enforced. II seems,
therefore. that the provision OF giving
power to a railroad commission TO fix
rates Is simply a power given to them
to prevent excessive rates against the
people. There should be no objection
to a power being vested in the rail
way commission to fix rates. The rail
road commissions OF n majority oil
the states of the Union are possessed
OF that power.
Registration Law.
The passage of n good registration
bill Is Indispensable to the successful
operation OF the direct primary elec
ton law passed at the last session oil
the General Assembly.
Board Of Control for Penal Institutions
feel that IL all the penal institu
tions were under the control of a cen
trail board, consisting OF three per
sons, to be paid fair salaries, and &c
be required to devote all of their time
to the duties OF their office, that saw
ing OF at least 100000 per annum
could be made.
Four Years Term for State Officers
l believe that 1t is to be best inter
est of the state OF Colorado that the
constitution should be amended so a.
to make the term of all OF the exc