The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-16
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


Governor Aliens message to the leg
islature may fairly be classed as a
state paper. 1t shows an intimacy
with and an interest in the needs and
aspirations of the. people that have sell
dom if ever been equaled ina docu-
ment of it's kind in Kansas. 1t is marked
by many evidences of thoughtful con-
sideration of the subjects touched
upon.
Much Of the program outlined by
the governor, he urges is dependent
upon the adoption of a new constitu
ton. If the remedying of evils and the
| Inauguration of improved conditions
must await action by constitutional
convention the outlook for future
progress along the lines indicated in
the message is dark. A new constitu
| ton cannot be framed and adopted
without years of delay with ultimate
uncertainty as to how the people
would vote on the instrument after it
had been framed.
The better and speedier way and
| the one most likely of success would
| be to attack the greater of the exist
ing evils thru amendments, even tho
| the legislature may submit the ques-
ton of constitutional convention to
j opular vote. Whatever could be
brought about in this way would be so
much gained in time.
The governor made a radical depar-
ture on the subject of taxation in rec
ommending that improvements placed
on property by resident owners be ex-
empted from assessment. 1t probably
will be approved by many who believe
that man should not be penalized for
improving his property. The recon-
mendation marks a step in the direc-
ton of the single tax"
| Another tax reform urged by Gov
ernor Allen is the exemption of ga.
estate mortgages from taxation. This
should be pproved by everybody. 1t
is we'll understood that a mortgage tax
is paid, if it be paid at all, by the
maker of the instrument. The injus-
tice of compelling a man to pay taxes
on his debts has long been recognized
and numerous attempts to right the
wrong have been made. If a consti-
tutional amendment be necessary In
order to prevent the same dollar from
being taxed twice. let US have the
amendment submitted by this legisla-
ture.
On the subject of improved high
ways the governor shows himself tc
be fully abreast of the times and ir
harmony with popular thought
Whether Intentionally or not he failed
to single out automobiles as proper
bearers of the burden of road con
struction and included all vehicles
Quoting from this part of the message
THE program of the Good Roads as
ISOLATION calls for a bond issue fol
building hard surfaced roads, the
principal and interest on these bond.
to be met out of the proceeds of au.
tomobile licenses. A similar progra II
, has been adopted by the state of ILL
, nois in a popular election, the vote il
favor of 1T being more than six to one
A system of state roads connecting al
our market centers would add new life
and new pOtentiality to every indus
| try in the state. 1t is peculiarly jus
that the cost of the state roads would
I be met by license upon the vehicle!
5 which use these roads. So many thing,
are made possible by a general goot
roads system that the state would b'
madly reactionary longer to ignore it.
The recommendation that the mum
Der of county officers be reduced ant
that the office of state superintendent
! Of public instruction be taken out o
politics is worthy of consideration.
The message should be read in it
= entirety by every voter and he SHOULD
make his sentiments on the various
=. subjects which it touches upon known
to his representative at the state cap
itol. In this way only can the peopl
q get what they demand in the way O
legislation. No legislator dares ignor
the voice of a. majority of his constit
uents.