Year: 1864




Some Of our exchanges are calling attention L
. State Policy. and we feel like showing oul
opinion. Without q plan, policy, and thai
energetically pressed to o contamination, o mar
cannot rapidly acquire property indeed. if he
have no plan, no management. he may keep his
nose to the grind stone all his life, and die
almost penniless at last The same policy will
ruin State. 1t is not policy, but the want of it


Illinois came into the Union in 1913, and
being . fine State had a gradual growth fol
twenty years, when she adopted Railroad sys
tenn that struck down the value of her real estate
almost one-half. turned emigration aside, and
defeated her railroad interests and general pros.
perity for the next twelve years. One fasle step
in that great State inflicted system of taxation
on the people that completely paralyzed it for
almost fifteen years. The rich natural resources
of Illinois made it an inviting field for emigra-
ton, while the war of 1912, with other causes,
formed in the minds of the people proper an
tecedent basis for their political structure, so
that in the tranquility of a long peace. had
Illinois not made this one blunder she would
long since have attained her present greatness.


How different from Illinois is the history of
Kansas. One settled in a time Of peace, the other
grown in the hot bed of war. The political
foundations of one laid in the experience of two
wars with England-the other the prodigal son
of policy resulting from fifty years Of profound
peace. Here is the antecedent secret of our
present State policy, which is fast sinking the
State in debt, and at the same time scourging
our people with IN unnecessary system of taxa
ton. Illinois enjoyed for twenty years an unin-
terrupted gradual growth, while Kansas, from
war and other causes, like the bee, was the
largest when born. We have sent to the war
almost as many men as we have voters, hence
our agricultural and most of oul other interests
are on the stand still. Our position being in
the rear of an old and hostile State, in the midst
of war which has drained off much of our actiye
energy. and which must tax our resources for
years to come, and with a Constitution and State
Polity much 0etter suited TO an old and densely
settled State than TO a sparsely settled one, we
do we'll to inquire for State Policy"


One suited to our circumstances, one that will
gradually and yet rapidly develop the State, and
at the same time be Of such an economical char
acter that it will not be burden to the peoplez
nor rspel emigration from our borders. "
point to no State as an infallible guide, but we
use their lamp Of experience to aid us in judging
the future. The undeveloped condition of the
State. the amount Of our population and their
taxable property, the condition of our country
and the influences which are affecting our CON-
mercial and financial condition, especially the
aro al 70 tlo,
mind to inquire for correct State Policy"


We cannot in one article point out affirmative
ly, in detail, a " State Policy" but we can call
attention to a few things which ought to be
done. and a few which ought to be corrected.
We have already intiInated that our constitu-
tional machinery requires too much money to
run it. The State has too many legislators, and
too much legislation. We pay annually more
than $4,000 to revise and amend our laws
This is the direct expense of the Legislature,
while each session of that body inflicts on our
$4,000 voters more than 500, 900 more expense.
And the same want Of economy exists in the
county organization. We have twice the mum.
Der Of officers, and five times the expenditure we
should have


We have too many State officers, too cumbrous
and expensive Judiciary system, too many
oface-seekers, loafers and spectators, and en-.
tirely too few who labor in the mechanical and
agricultural interests of the State.


A change must be effected, and that SOON or
We must accept the logical results of a ruinous
State debt. and system of taxation which will
repel capital and emigration from our midst.
We do not like to call attention to the defects in
our State system. but truth and the best interests
OF the State demand that events now beginning
to cast their shadows before should receive more
than passing notice. We 60 for State Policy
Mat will suit the expenditure to the ability Of
the people.


Let the State select three or four of the numer.
Gus Railroads contemplated within her borders,
and on them concentrate her entire railroad
means and interests. and Kansas will not only
receive an early and rapid development. bu. she
will invite capital. and so swell her population
that prosperity nad plenty will follow.


Were We left to say what Railroad interests
should be pressed and fostered. We would select
the one up the Kansas Valley with two branches,
one North and South up through the densely
settled portion Of Eastern Kansas, and one up
The beautiful valley of the Neosho, soon to be an
link in connecting the Gulf of Mexico
and the Tropics with the mineral. pastoral and
agricultural lands of the continent. Thess three
roads, with one West through the Northern
portion Of the State are oil the roads Kansas
.hould attempt to build for years.
Sound policy demands that all Of these roads
ihculd receive the fostering care Of th. State,