Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-01-25
GOV. HODGES FIRST MESSAGE
DOCUMENT WAS READ IN BOTH
HOUSES OF LEGISLATURE.
Kansas Executive Advocates Election
of United States Senators by Direct
Vote, and Other Reform

Topeka-Following is a synopsis
of the first message of Gov. Geo. H.
Hodges, as received and read in both
houses of the state legislature:
Gentlemen of the Legislature.
Under and by virtue of the constitu-
ton of the state of Kansas it is the
duty of the governor to communicate
to you such Information and to recon-
mend to you such legislation as he
may deem proper and expedient touch
ing state affairs
/ therefore call your attention to the
fact that the congress of the United
States has submitted to the several
states an amendment to the federal
constitution providing for the election
of United States senators by direct
vote of the people 1 recommend that
you promptly ratify the same and
authorize the certification of your rati-
fication to the Secretary of State of
these United States.
| In conformity with deep-seated
conviction of the Democratic party,
would urge that this legislature pass
concurrent resolution instructing
| our senators and requesting our mem
| bers of the lower branch of congress
| to submit resolution to the congress
/ of the United States of America, pray
| ing for amendment to our federal
constitution, providing for an the cleo
| ton of federal judges by a direct vote
| of the people and for a term period
not exceeding six years
/ also recommend that you submit
| to the people of this state an amend
ment to the constitution providing for
| quadrennial election of state and coun-
ty officers.
believe in state aid in building
roads and bridges, and recommend to
section s of article II of the constitu-
ton be submitted to the people, which
shall read as follows:
"The state shall never be a party in
| carrying on any work of internal i'm
provement, except highways and
| bridges
I also recommend the adoption of
the Massachusetts form of ballot,
for which / contended at the last two
sessions of the Kansas legislature.
1t has for years been matter of
complaint in this state that mortgages
held by non-residentss on property
in this state, escaped taxation. To
remedy this, the legislatures of 1909
and 1911 passed recording mortgage
.,
distinguished predecessor. I call your
attention to the fact that every Re
publican, Progressive and Democrat in
this legislative was elected on plat
forms pledging the enactment of such
law. I therefore recommend that
you pass such law at the earliest
moment consistent with orderly pro-
cedure.
I recommend the unconditional re-
peal of the present inheritance tax
law
-Four years ago the legislature
passed an enactment that provided for
the optional building of rock roads
and a self-assessment by the petition
ers for the payment of the same.
There is limited area where there is
need of macadamized roads. This is
chiefly in the eastern part CT the state,
where truck gardeners, dairymen and
smal1fruit farmers market their prod
ucts daily. In such localities a num-
Der of roads have been built and the
wisdom of the enactment has been
made apparent. In every instance the
land abutting upon the improved road
way has increased in value from three
to five times the cost per acre of such
Dad work, thus further justifying the
enactment.
call your attention to the fact that
a decision of the supreme court has
made our grain-inspection laws in
effective. That our farmers and grain
men may be given protection in the
grading of their grain, and in the mat
ter of weights. | recommend that an
effective grain-inspection law be
passed.
All parties, in their platforms. have
promised the enactment of certain
enumerated laws for the protection OF
labor and laboring men. l urge you to
make good these promises by appro-
pirate legislation.
/ recommend to your attention the
platform declarations of Democratic
and Republican parties on the subject
of the state publication of school text
books. and l advise that you make
| careful inquiry as to the expense OF
4 such undertaking, and also as to
whether the state has power to en-
gage in it without an amendment to
our fundamental law.
In the matter of contingent funds,
recommend that the governors con
/ tingent fund be reduced from $4,000
per annum to $1,000. and that all other
official contingent funds be scrutinfzed
by you and reduced to what is reason
ably necessary. I recommend. how
ever, that the encouragement be Civ
en- contingent fund of 100000 per