Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-01-17
and educational institutions. The edu-

and educational institutions. The edu-
cationaI institutions alone are asking
S2,S24. 574 more than was allowed them
by the last Legislature. | am con-
strained to recommend to you, that
while the efficiency of all these instf
buttons should be kept in mind, and
the Kansas standard maintained, you
should exercise the utmost care and
judgment in determining their needs.
No good citizen Of this commonwealth
wants TO impair the usefulness Of our
public institutions, whether benevolent
or educational; but after scanning and
carefully considering their demands. ]
am quite clear that the appropriation
Of such vast sums is altogether out OF
the question. believe that you will
find on investigation that there are
many Implications OF work in our state
educational institutions, that some de-
partments are OF little or no value. and
that some cost mere than they are
worth to the state. In another part OF
this message | have recommended the
consolidation OF the different educa-
tional boards. With such a board /
believe these Objectionable features
will be eliminated. With the informa-
ton now at hand. do not recon-
mend any appropriations for new
buildings at our educational institu.
tons. In the matter Of maintenance
funds. recommend that these institu-
tons be treated fairly, but not with
prodigality. The people demand
economy and I know of no better SER
vice these institutions can render the
state than by setting an example OF
reasonable economy in the administra.
ton Of their own affairs. ask you to
carefully investigate the needs OF
these institutions and deal Justly by
both the schools and the taxpayers.
High-school visitation is costing
this state. | am informed, well over
$4,000 year in salaries travelling ex-
penses, clerk hire and Office expenses.
In the opinion Of many competent to
judge this system of high-school vista
ton is useless. II this is true the sys-
TEN should be abolished.
! also call your attention to the oft
expressed feeling that our method OF
assessment for taxation is too cum.
bersome and too expensive. and | urge
you to consider carefully the changes
that might be made in the interest of
economy and efficiency.
recommend that no state officer,
elective or appointive, be paid for
time spent in other than the perform.
ance Of his official duties, with the ex-
ceptiOn Of the allowance of such vaca-
tons, not oftener than once each year,
as the legislature may decide upon.
am sincerely gratified to report to
you that our utilities law is a great
success and that it needs only slight
amendment, if any. In the hands of
Broad-gauged men in will continue to
be an instrument Of the highest value
for the development and upbuilding of
the state. Tn der its provisions both
people and public service corporations
are adequately protected and antagon-
isms eradicated.
call the attention of the members
OF this legislature to the pledges made
in the various party platforms to
which | have not specifically referred
and reiterate what | have said about
the obligations of legislators to OBJ
serve the terms of their contract with
the people. | believe that this legisla-
tdre will conscientiously endeavor to
keep faith with the electorate, and
that when this session is over and YOU
return to your homes your constitu.
ency will feel satisfied with the work
you have accomplished.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. H. HODGES,
Governor.