The Topeka state journal., 1913-03-17
LAST MESSAGE
Gov. Hodges Narrates Accom-
plishments Legislature.
Comprehensive List Beneficial
Laws Passed.

In a final farewell message sent to
the legislature just before final ad-
journment of the session at noon to-
day, Governor George H. Hodges
proudly calls attention to the many
good laws enacted in the two months
that the members have been in To-
peka- He declares, that more plat
form promises have been redeemed
and more important laws written than
in the record of any previous legisla-
ture in this state.
The governor points to 13 platform
pledges that were safely protected by
the first Democratic legislature elect
ed in Kansas. In addition to these i'm
portant measures, the chief executive
reviews several score laws written by
the Democrats which he believes are
both humane and of great benefit to
the state and has demonstrated that
the legislature was a progressive and
constructive body. In his message,
Governor Hodges says:
Topeka, Kan, March II, 1913.
To the Legislature:
In this, the closing hour of the first
and only Democratic legislature ever
assembled in our state, I must COM
mend you for keeping the faith and
for writing into law the pledges made
by our party in our state platform.
Your bills as they have come to me
for approval show that you have:
Ratified the constitutional amend
'ment providing for the election of
vote. (Senate concurrent resolution
No. 81
Repealed the inheritance tax law.
blouse bill 10
Placed the educational institutions
of the state under single board of
three members. (House bill 442.)
Provided for the state publication
of school text books. (Senate bill SD
Adopted the Massachusetts form of
ballot. (Senate bill 144.)
Provided
ciary. (House bill 460.)
Enlarged the scope of the work
mans compensation law. (House bill
$3.50
Enlarged the powers of the bureau
of labor. (House bill 1S3.)
Provided for the working of con-
victs on the public roads and high
ways. (Senate bill 712O
Enacted laws for the protection
and safety of those who work in our
mines (Senate bills 464, AIS 230 and
house bill 217.)
Prohibited the granting of injunc-
tions in labor disputes without notice.
blouse bill 1919
Given practical application to the
principle that justice should be free
by creating the small debtors court.
blouse bill 734.)
Submitted to the people for their
approval an amendment to the state
constitution providing for the recall of
unfaithful officials. (House Concur
rent resolution A.
These things we promised in our
platform and each pledge has been
most faithfully kept Had you stop
ped with this you would have earned
for yourselves the proud distinction
of putting more good, wholesome,
progressive legislation on the statute
books than any single legislature has
ever enacted in the more than half
century that has elapsed since Kansas
became state. But you did not stop
with this. You sought to carry out
the spirit as we'll as the letter of the
platform. This has been a construc-
tive legislature and among the other
meritorious things accomplished you
have:
Prohibited the white slave traffic
(House bill 400
Required that female prisoners in
our county jails be placed in charge
of matron. (House bill 1859
Provided for the pensioning of dis
abled citizens. blouse bill 1T9.)
Provided for a divorce proctor.
(Senate bill 177.)
Increased the scope of the parole
law. (House bill 1863
Provided for a daily wage for con-
victs. (Senate bill 362.)
(CoDtfnued on Page Two1