The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-14

call YOUR attention 10 Tile ISPOl 4iic0s
by the state highway engineer. thai
about 100000 is spent annually fol
road work in our state and only {
trace of such road work is permanent
Our state needs permanent dirt roads
and an advanced step has been taker
the mast two years through the infiu.
ence of the Good Roads association
and the Good Roads Magazine. The
matter of development OF our PUBIC
highways is so vital to our state tha'
1 can not too highly recommend this
important subject for your further
consideration. 1 am more than pleased
that the state at large is awake to the
necessity of the erection of rock OIL
concrete bridges. and l congratulate
the state that so many permanent
bridges of that construction nave
been erected during the past two
years.
call your attention to the fact
that a decision of the supreme court
has made our grain inspection laws
ineffective. That our farmers and
grain men may be given protection in
the grading of their grain, and in the
matter of weights 1 recommend thai
an effective grain inspection law be
passed.
All parties, in their platforms, have
promised the enactment OF certain
enumerated laws for the protection OIL
labor and laboring men. L urge you
to make good these promises by APP
propriate legislation. The safeguard
ing of the lives and health of the men
who work in mine, factory or other
hazardous employment, the more rigid
enforcement of the child labor law,
and an enlargement of the power OF
the bureau of labor and industry are
measures to which l invite your Spe-
cial attention.
State Publication School Books.
recommend to your attention the
platform declarations of the Demo-
cratic and Republican parties on the
subject of the state publication OF
school textbooks, and 1 advise that you
make careful inquiry as to the eX-
pense of such undertaking, and also
as to whether the state has power to
engage in it without an amendment
to our fundamental law. If in your
wisdom such an enactment would be
constitutional, then 1 recommend that
this legislature make suitable appropri-
atoms for the establishment of a state
plant to carry on this work in order
that the state may be prepared to
furnish school textbooks when our con-
tract for common school textbooks ex-
pires four years hence. l strongly
favor the state publication of school
textbooks and their. distribution by the
state at actual cost.
In the matter of contingent funds,
that the governors contin-
gent fund be reduced from $4,000 per
annum to $1,000, and that all other Of
fetal contingent funds be scrutinized
by you and reduced to what is rea-
sonably necessary. l recommend, how
ever, that the attorney general be
given a contingent fund of $4,000 per
annum as heretofore.
The Prohibitory Law.
1 shall hold sheriffs, county attorneys
Of oif n
the strict enforcement of the prohibi-
.ory law in their respective jurisdic-
ions, and / will cooperate with the
attorney general in seeing that they do
heir duty. I regard money spent in
he enforcement of the prohibitory law
Is a good investment, and l will not
,e a party to any false economy which
night tend to hamper the chief law
,fficer of the state in his efforts to en-
orce it.
There is a general feeling that our
tatutes are numbered with many USE
ess laws and that they contain many
provisions I therefore rec
that you provide for a COM
mission to prepare a revision and codi-
ication of our laws and present it for
ne consideration of the legislature at
IS next regular session.
I would urge that all laws passed by
GU be drafted in clear, simple Ian
,uage, so definite that they can be readi-
V understood. It is a travesty on
Justice that laws are drafted in such
n ambiguous manner that they re-
uire Interpretation by expert lawyers
0 determine their meaning.
I call your attention to the fact that
he beds of the Kansas and Arkansas
ivers and one-half of the bed of the
IiSsOuri river belong to the state, and
recommend that the general survey
aw be extended over these beds and
he islands therein, with the right of
ppeal as in other cases, and that the
xecutive council be given control of
he sand, gravel and other products in
ne beds of these rivers.
No Need for Jim Crow Law.
There has been some agitation con- |
erning the enactment of a Jim |
row. law in this state. 1 can see no |
eason for the enactment of such a !
wv. and would regret that a bill of |
nat character should even be intro |
uced.
The depositors' bank guaranty law.
ow irrevocably a part of our bank |
lg system, has given entire satisfac-
on and created d public confidence
l the security of our state banks which
VIII be the especial care of this ad- |
to foster. Any act which
i'll strengthen this feature of our !
anking laws Will be cheerfully ap-
roVed by me as governor.
From personal knowledge feel war
anted in saying that the National
uard of this state is not excelled in
Efficiency for field service by the guard
any other state. The regiments are
of high grade body of
Dung men. imbued with zeal and pa
iotism and efficiently differed The
Dung men of this organizatio are con-
: hui inc 6I11xr Of IasY I,,% |
leir individual means to maintain the
resent high standard of the organ "a