The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-07
THE GOVERNORS REFORMS.

governor nearl-a new COnStItu-
ton for Kansas-died yesterday and
was promptly buried, the reforms in
, the constitution for which Governor
| Allen has so vigorously contended may
lie brought about even more quickly
than the governor himself thought
possible.
This thru the prescribed methods of
making changes in the constitution as
specified by the instrument itself;
namely, the submission of as many as
thres amendments at any one general
election.
o. last Tuesday this paper outlined
! a plan of this sort; but as the governor
| threw his whole soul and energy to-
ward securing a new constitution the
plan could not for moment. by him.
/ be considered unless convention plans
should gang a-gley."
| 1t has been contended in the ex-
pressions of this paper that all the
proposed changes advocated by Gov
ernor Allen were practically the same
as the changes favored by this jour-
nal of education and enlightenment
The disagreement with the executive
was only a matter of means. The
governor, for whom is held the high
est respect and admiration, before his
nomination and election, and since,
wanted to throw the old constitution
away and get a brand new one. The
State journal thought the old stand
/ by in most respects was pretty
good sort of a document for the state
4 . 20 -,
without the enormous expense, hair
pulling. lobbying and turmoil generally
that might have been forced upon
peaceful people by a constitutional
| convention and its train of good and
evil. compelling a temperance before
the courts of most desirable sections
| now passed upon by the highest au-
| thority in the land.
To be very frank, there are only a
few changes that even the governor
himself really desires, and these could
be counted on ones fingers and can
be voted upon in the regular way and
become parts OF the constitution. If the
people desire, soon as or sooner than
a new constitution could be secured.
Now what are these important
changes2 They were listed, and the
list was short. in the State journal of
February 4. and here they are:
State aid to internal Improvements
relating to highways only.
| @Provisfon encouraging farm owner
| ship, doing away with the enormous num-
| Der of tenant farmers now in Kansas and
land from aboas ao per cent OF & m per tse eent
toward the French percentage of about 90
per cent.
! 1t Is claimed that another change In the
constitution would be necessary providing
namely, provision doing away with both
the taxation On the land and the mortgage
thereon. This is sometimes termed ..dou-
taxation SO that nonresident or vacant
| land, or land held for speculative purposes
| should carry higher taxes than improved
lands or the improvements thereon.
| THE amendment permitting an increa Sc
In pay, for the members of the legislature
| eThe amendment providing for four
year terms instead of Two.
! 6-Short ballot THIS covering changes
| in county government.
AN amendment changing the constitu-
tlon, permitting majority or three -fourths
OF the jury to return verdict In minor
sAn amendment permitting more than
three amendments to be submitted ut one
general election, say four to six or more.
A number of these amendments are
not very important; and can wait to be
voted upon at the second general cleo
tion. For instance, Kansas practically
has a four-year term now for those
who have made good records in the
: two-year term.
In regard to pay of members of the
legislature: il this were doubled OF
tripled many of the members would
not be rel 1bursed for the time they
/ he
coming here. In other words, the
i senators and representatives come
t here, not for the SO per day, but fol
service to the state and for the honor
!, ,, of the position and the publicity and
/ reputation they may secure to aid
them in furthering ambition to other
realms
In regard to limited jury provision
= We have gotten along for two genera
tions with the present system and w,
: could exist quite satisfa ctorily two OF
three years longer.
D, Concerning the short ballot fo
3 county reform. this. too, can wait foi
4 the second series of three. because tn,
1 most esseatia1 reforms in county gov
ernment were made by the last legis
i lature and the one before 1t; namely
I changing conditions that prevent tn
4 sheriff. probate Judge and register o
e deeds. for instance, from making for
| tunes during their terms of office. Thi
was done by legislative enactments re
quiring these and other officials t
tur-i in to the general county fund al
:, their fees above rea asonablc compen
sation for their services.
I
l. Many opposed to creating an entire
t ly new constitution, that is. many mem
e bers in the legislature who earnestl
!, advocate the same changes that tn
3 governor advocates, were simply op
= posed to getting these changes thru
: ne1r constitution instead of hY a me nd