The Evening Star from Independence, Kansas • Page 1

700(1 people ReadiCbe Only 7-Day, $Page, HIIRoitiePrfnt Paper in Independence or Southeastern Kansas 5 The -c. Star's Columns Cbe Paper that Sets be Pace i Mre lieu nun raisin 5 MediciiE dvertisements They A led With Home News 3 Home People And No You Catch On? The Evening Star Publishes the Unrivalled Telegraph News Report of the Scripps-McRae Press Association Vol. 7. No. 186 TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1907.

INDEPENDENCE, KANSAS TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1907. EIGHT PAGES GOVE HE RNOR HOCH KANSAS STRONGLY RECOMMENDS MANY NEEDED REFORMS FAVORS A TWO-CENT FARE, MORE STRINGENT FREIGHT RATE LAWS, AND TAKES ANOTHER WHACK AT STANDARD OIL COMES OUT FLAT-FOOTED FOR ENFORCEMENT OF PROHIBITORY LAW SAYS THE SALOON IS AT UTLAW AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. WANTS MORE JOWER IN DEALING WITH THE LIQUOR EVIL RECOMMENDS A PRIMARY ELECTION LAW, MORE STRINGENT BANKINGS LAW, A SINGLE HEAD FOR BOARD OF CHARITIES AND A SALT MINE FOR REFORMATORY CAN'T FIND ANYONE TO BLAME FOR THE TREASURY SHORTAGE. A reduction of railroad fare is sure to come. It is only a question whether or not that time has arrived.

I have given the subject much thought and study, and believe that, with the abolition of free passes and the stimulus to travel which a reduction of fares would create, the companies would not be serious losers by the reduction, while the public, of course, would be immensely benefitted. The Board of Railroad Commissioners ago of the state penal, ellemosynary and educational institutions are relatively small. Less than in most states in the Union, and yet our taxes seem high, because as stated above, assessments are ridiculously low, and for the further reason that a vast amount of property escapes taxation altogether. This is particularly true of money, for, while the Bank Commissioner reports 140 million dollars on deposit in the banks of the state, less than five million dollars appear on the tax rolls. The assessment of railroad and other property is almost if not quite as great a farce.

The law compels the assessment of property at its actual value, but nobody contends that this law is complied with, and there is no penalty for its violation. I think most of this whole taxation problem could be solved by adding to present laws seAere penalties for their violation including severer penalties for perjury in listing property for taxation, and I recommend that this be done. That the owners of 140 million dollars should swear that they had but five million dollars, and escape taxation and punishment alike, -is simply monstrous. If all the property of the state were as- is a pretty good lookkeeper and a pretty good collector. Compart prohibition Kansas with our neighobr, license Nebraska, for instance.

Nebraska has about one-third less population than has Kansas, but Uncle Sam has collected about $2,000,000 a year liquor tax from tha people of Nebraska, while he has been able to get only about $100,000 from Kansas. The amount of fermented liquor sold in Kansas is from 6,000 to 10.000 barrels a year, in Nebraska from 200,000 to 300,000 barrels, and in Missouri from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 barrels. Recognizing these fundamental facts, as well as the limitation of power conferred by the legislature upon the governor for the enforcement of this and other laws, I have written to every county attorney and sheriff in the state, and to many of them repeatedly, urging the enforcement of the law. Ouster proceedings were instituted against the mayor of Kansas City, the largest city in the state, and against the county attorney of Wj'andotte county, in which this city is located, which were successful, owing largely, let it be remembered, however, to the peculiar ability of Attorney General Coleman and his able local assistant, Mr. Trick-ett, and to the character of the presid (Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) Topeka, Jan.

8. The senate adjourned today after organizing as did also the house. The house reconvened at 3:30 when the message of the governor "was read. Topeka, Jan8. Gov.

Hoeh in his message to the legislature today urged the enactment of a new primary law election, an anti-pass law and ask-s for equal suffrage to all; appeals for continuance of the prohibition fight; Urges a hospital for inebriates; banking insurance; traveling libraries; art galleries that school lands be withdrawn from the market or the price increased; protective tariff favoring the beet sugar industry, state bureau of information; separate schools, for solution of the race problem; declares the state binding twine plant could pay the penitentiary expenses if the farmers would buy prison twine and urges a committee to hear arguments for and against a reduction of passenger rates To the Senate and 1 rouse of Representatives: In obedience to constitutional requirement and in harmony with custom, I transmit herewith my biennial message for your consideration. You meet under auspicious and inspiring circumstances. The state is enjoying unprecedented prosperity. The year just closed was the most prosperous in its history, and this prosperity was limited to no lot lil and confined to no od ovet ninety-three million bushels, interest. The yield of wheat aggregat-andhas been exceeded but o'kp in bush-, els and never in aggregate value in the history of the state, and easily places Kansas in the front rank of wheat-producing states, the vield in fact being double that of any state in the Union.

In this connection it is interesting to remember that the yield of wheat for the past ten years has aver-remember that of any state in the Ydin. In this connection it is interesting to remember that the vield of wheat for the past ten years has averaged over seventy million bushels each year. The year 1906 was also a great corn vear, tiie vield being exceeded but twice, I believe, in the past. All other farm products made a good showing, as did the great live-stock interests, so that the year was one of unprecedented prosperity to the farmers of the state. Hon.

F. D. Coburn. secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, who honored agriculture by exalting its secretaryship above highest political honors in declining a LTnited States senatorship, thus summarizes the year's results: Never before have the soil products represented so much wealth, and the rewards of industry are revealed in the year's values of farm products and live stock, amounting to 424,222,277, or 015,582,455 in excess of their value in the best preceding year. They are aoout eighty-live per cent more than the value of the same items of ten years THE DEFENSE VERY FLIMSY ASSAILANT OF CAPTAIN MACKLIN IN THE TOILS.

Say Telltale Wound in Shoulder Not Due to Bullet But to Splinter Cartridge Found in His Blood Stained Jacket Against Him. (Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) El Reno, Jan 8. Corporal Knowles, a negro of Co. 25h infantry, arrested Monday charged with shooting Captain Macklin, in a hearing before the federal commissioner, explained the wound in his arm as being caused by a splinter. Cartridges were in his bloodstained jacket corresponding in size to those used when Macklin was shot.

Knowles lined up in the garrison in twenty minutes after the shooting. HUSBANDS TO BE ENTERTAINED. This evening at the home of Mrs. II. M.

Levan on West Poplar street, Mes-dames Levan, Melrose, Steinmetz and Bryant will entertain the members of the Entre Nous club and their husbands. The Evening Star prints the news. Automatic Counters This year's wheat is worth more than that of any preceding year; this year corn ranks third in aggregate value; the value of animals slaughtered or sold for slaughter is ten million dollars more than last year, and eclipses all former records; the value of her dairy products is more than one year ago, and her improving herds and flocks have a value greater than ever before." But perhaps the best evidence, after all, of the great material prosperity which blesses the state is furnished by the condition of the banking interests. Hon. John Q.

Royce, bank commissioner, in his able biennial report to me, furnishes the remarkable and gratifying information that there has not been a single bank failure or a bank closed by his department during the past two years, and that during this time not "a dollar has been lost to depositors in the state banks, nor have any of their funds been tied up or withheld from them for a single minute." But, gentlemen, there is a good old book which tells us. that "much shall be required of those to whom much is given." Responsibility is measured by ability, and it should be the highest aim and ambition of every respectable citizen of the state, in public position and in private station, to see to it that progress in moral and mental matters keeps imce at least with the progress of ma-lerial things. To you, gentlemen of the legislature, Inn been committed a great trust to study the governmental needs of the people, to supplement former legislation for its enforcement and efficiency, and to put upon the statute books such new laws as new conditions and experience may sluwto be necessary. In this great work, at the threshold of your labors, the executive department tenders you cordial co-operation and submits for your earnest consideration numerous recommendations. I wish to renew the recommendations made at length in my message two years ago for the passage of a primary-election law.

These views expressed in my last message are renewed in this one. I am not unmindful of the difficulties in the way of a practical application of these fundamental theories, but I trust this legislature will be able to solve the problem, and give the people of all parties an opportunity to select at a primary election the candidates for whom they will be asked to vote at a general election. They should also be permitted to express their preference for United States senator, an expression which a legislature would hardly ignore. Let all the primaries be held on the same day, and the ballot-box guarded with all the sacred safeguards now thrown around the general election. KAILROADS.

I recommend the enactment of a law forbidding gratuitous transportation, except to actual railroad employees. Congress has enacted such a law covering interstate transportation, and Kansas should follow the example with reference to free passes within borders. BAILEY IS DESPERATE Texas Renegade Trying to Prevent a Legislative Investigation. (Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) Austin, 8. Senator Bailey arrived today for a caucus with his friends.

Desperate efforts are being made to prevent a legislative investigation. THREE ARE DEAD One Man Killed Two Others and Then Himself. (Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) Seattle, Jan. 8. E.

N. Turner, a prominent lawyer and miner, was shot and killed and Andrew Russell, a sa-loonist, was also shot last night bv Captain Emmons, a tobacconist. After the shooting Emmons stood before a mirror and killed himself. The men had been quarreling. INTO A DITCH Went Southern Train One Killed, Two Fatally Injured.

(Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) Atlanta, Jan. 8. A Central railroad wreck this morning caused one death with two probably fatally injured. The train ran into an open switch. The Evening Star sets the pace.

Don't Lie. Advertisers i practicable. I do not believe there are any people on earth relatively more progressive and prosperous than the sixteen hundred thousand people who constitute the population of Kansas. Our per capita wealth is over ninety dollars nearly three times the average in the United States and nowhere- is wealth more equally divided. A poorhouse is almost a joke in Kansas.

Saloons are not commercial necessities. All the money that goes into their tills is just so much taken out of legitimate business channels; it is just so much loss to the legitimate merchant. The revenue from this source is not necessary to the permanent proserity of any town; it is a hindrance to it; it debauches pubic sentiment, debases public morals, and corrupts official channels; it destroys town pride, one of the first and greatest essentials to town building; it makes the saloon the center of political influence and the most potent factor in municipal government. The devil never invented a bigger lie than that revenue from legitimate sources is necessary to the financial success of any town city. Such a contention is an insult any community in Kansas.

Wherever this theory finds indorsement bv local authorities, boodle and graft and extravagance follow naturally and inevitably. A great many of the leading business men of Kansas City, cherished the same delusion cherished in businesc men Salina, but the 200 joints in that city have been effectually closed, and yet it is almost the universal testimony that the city was never so prosperous. Kansas City, is the largest city in the state, and I believe it the largest city in the wrorId without open saloon. There has been a wonderful revolution of sentiment among the business men, who are prospering never before, and who attest their faith in this new and wise policy by electing a law and order mayor at the recent election. The prohibitory law has never had a fair chance in Kansas.

It has battled against a foe entrenched in the appetites of an extensive constituency, fortified by legal sanction through many centuries of the world's history, and made powerful by the enormous wealth enormous profits. Every state surrounding us has been opposed to imr policy and has contributed in every possible wav to its failure. It has been like a farmer striving to keep his farm clean of noxious weeds, while his neighbor farmers permitted their farms to become foul and sow his farm thick with seeds with every wafting wind that blew his way from their premises. Our success under these adverse conditions has indeed been remarkable. The absurd contention that more liquor is sold prohibition Kansas than in license states should deceive no one.

It is made chiefly by those who would be ty good collector. Compare prohibition policy if their statements were true, but official figures abundantly refute the ridiculous statement. Uncle Sam WILLING TO HELP Democrats Ready to Join in Election of Republican Senator. (Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) Topeka, Jan. 8.

A Democratic caucus has expressed a willingness to join in the election of a Republican senator if one is put up that They want to ballot in open session. The senate nominated W. S. Fitzpatrick as speaker pro tem. DEAD MAN A report came to the sheriff's office late this afternoon to the effect that the body of a dead man was found this afternoon near the home of W.

B. Goad, who was attacked bv his son-in-law Sunday night. No other particulars were obtainable. The sheriff has gone out to investigate. MRS.

MUMFORD ENTERTAINS. Mrs. George Mumford entertained a number of her friends to a carpet tacking afternoon from one o'clock to five o'clock. A delicious luncheon was served. Those present were: Mrs.

Geo. Hobson, Mrs. Fred Tomkins, Mrs. Tom Lolley, Mrs. Dode Holton, Mrs.

Vinck, Mrs. Robley, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. ivretzer, Mr3. Philamlee, Frank Mumford, Mrs.

oouis. the Automatic Counter should have a lanrer contingent fund than that appropriated to their use by the last legislature. The legislature of Texas gives its commissioners a contingent fund of $430,000 per annum, the legislature of Minnesota gives its commissioners $40,000, while we give ours only $5,000. In both these states, however, the commisisoners have, by direction of the law, made investigation as to the value and costs of the railroad properties of their respective states, employing civil engineers to make the estimates. Each of these states also has a rate expert especially qualified to make a thorough investigation of th.e freight rates.

If railroad rates in this state are to be made equitable, an expert equal in ability to those employed by the railroads themselves in fixing the schedules in the first place must be employed by the state. The absolute necessity, also, of an authoratative estimate of the value of railroad property in Kansas, in order that the question as to what is a reasonable rate may be intelligently decided by the commissioners, is apparent to every student of the subject. Constant complaint is made that freight rates are excessively high in Kansas, altogether out of proportion to the rates charged in other states. I want to call your attention also to another matter of vital importance. The legislature can only regulate railroad rates within the state.

It has no control whatever over interstate rates. But, having their freight depots in Kansas City, the railroad companies are enabled to evade most of our statutes by claiming that much, if not most, of the traffic is interstate because its terminals are across the line, and the freight is billed from all shipping-points in Kansas to Kansas City, Mo. and from Kansas City, to all points in Kansas. This should not be. If our laws are to be of value, we must insist that the railroads provide places for the reception of freight and passenger traffic on the Kansas side of the line.

Otherwise our state laws on these subjects will be in large part annulled. I wish to renew my recommendation of two years ago in reference to placing the telegraph and telephone companies and all transportation lines operated by electricity under the control of the Board of Railroad Commissioners TAXATION. Like Banquo's ghost, the subject of taxation will' not down. Like the poor in Scripture, we seem to have it with us always. Every legislature from time immemorial has grappled, with the perplexing problem, and still no satisfactory solution graces bur statute books.

Our levies seem high because our assessments are ridiculously low. As a matter of fact, Kansas affairs, state and municipal, are managed wth remarkable economy. Official salaries are comparatively small. Few states pay so little to officials. Appropriations for the support of the state penal, eleemosynary and FIRST BLOOD FOR LODGE Wins First Round in His Bout With Foraker.

(Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) Washington, Jan. 8. Whether the president exceeded his constitutional authority in the Brownsville affair or not will be among the questions to be inquired into by the senate committee on military affairs when it investigates the charge against the colored soldiers. To this extent Lodge wins and Foraker loses. COLORADO'S GOVERNOR.

Inaugurated at Noon Today Hints Gently at Reform Lgislation. (Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) Denver, Jan. 8. Henry A. Butchel, Chancellor of the University of Denver, and a Methodist Minister, was inaugurated at noon todav as Governor of Colorado.

The ceremony was held in the Trinity Methodist church, and the Oath administered in the church pulpit. Butchel 's message says republican pledges must be kept, is against railroad employes working over time; advocates insurance laws; sound banking, and pure food laws, and mentions railroad passes, trusts, and popular election of senators, without comment. Skating tonight at the Band Auditorium. Are Invited to Call at sessed at its full value, and extrava gance avoided by proportionately reducing possible levies, the statistics of the state would make a vastly better showing abroad, and the burden of government at home would not be at all in creased. This problem confronts you, as it has confronted other similar bodies The legislature that wisely solves it will make itself immortal.

PROHIBITION. Since 1880 the manufacture and sale of intoxicants except for medicinal purposes and scientific and mechanical purposes has been prohibited by the constitution of this state. Theoretically, I the wisdom of this policy has never been seriously questioned, for the logical attitude of government toward every recognized evil is that of prohibition. The decalague, which in its majestic sweep includes every form of evil, is a prohibitory code and an infallible guide. "Thou shalt not," is the proper attitude of government toward every recognized evil.

That the saloon is an evil is now almost universal Not a single good thing can be said of the saloon, it is everywhere and always an enemy to society and to good government; it is a disturber of the peace ful source of crime; It is the devil's best recruiting camp; it imposes burdens of taxation upon tne peop than any other agency in existence; no human interest is sacred to it; it voluntarily obeys no law; it desecrates the Sabbath, and refuses to close its doors on this holy day except when a policeman with righteous orders from som? courageous mayor is on that beat; the Fourth of July appeals not to its patriotism, for it has none; it debauches childhood, in of the law against selling to minors; it makes dav lurid with its profit it; 53 nnd night Ir.deo. 5 with its it is everywhere ana always ana-c'ust. license law, high or low, every law to which reference has been made above, is proof of popular estimate of its baneful character, for no such laws restrict and restrain legitimate business as a matter of principle. Its wisdom is only questioned by its expediency. This is the battleground of thought on the subject.

But I must ever believe that, in the final analysis, wrong, alone, is inexpedient and that ultimately some means can always be found to make a right thing GETS A GOOD START Manager Dougherty Opens Ticket Sale for the Big Week. (Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) Manager Dougherty of the Band Au-ditorium, opened the ticket sale for the Big Week vesterdav and made a verv auspicious start, selling over one hundred season tickets. The people get so much for their money that this is the biggest theatrical bargain ever offered in Independence, and everybody wants to get in on it. The seat sale for Buster Brown also started off brisklv yesterday. MINERS' STRIKE TO END Ooerators Concede Demand and an Agreement Is Reached.

(Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) Goldfield, Jan. 8. The miners and owners have reached an agreement which will probably end the, strike. The operators have agreed to the increased scale. BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH.

Rev. Stewart returned from Bartles-ville today and will conduct services at the Bethel Baptist church every niht this and Sunday. The theme tonight will be, "Life, Death and the Judgment. Tne Evening Star sets the pace. the Star Officeand Watch or to of is an as of in ing judge.

Judge Holt. Similar suits have been begun in other cities. Assist ant attorneys-general has been appointed in ten other counties, with varying results. But I believe it can be said without extravagance that there are more towns and counties in this state today that are saloonless and jointlesa than ever before since the law was enacted. Results have been remarkable.

In four-fifths of the 105 counties the prohibitory law is as well enforced as other penal statutes. The constitution imposes upon the governor the duty of enforcing the law, but legislatures alone give effect to constitutional requirements and furnish the executive with power for their The governor can only enforce law with law. The various laws enacted by Kansas legislatures during me past quarter of a century to make effective this constitutional amendment have been stubbornly contested in the courts in every possible way by the liquor interests. Some of these laws have stood the test, but some of the most important ones have been annulled ythe courts. When any question of governmental concern is up for original discussion it is the privilege of every citizen to have and to express freely without restraint his opinion upon the subject, but when the matter has been crystallized into law it passes out of the domain of discussion, except amendment or repeal.

There is then but one duty of the officer, and that is to enforce the law, and but one duty of the citizen, and that is to obey it. The specious plea that any law is under the ban of an adverse public sentiment as an excuse for official dereliction is unworthy of consideration. The officer did not make the law and is not responsible for (Continued on next Page) A DEFENDER OF GREED OVERMAN OF NORTH CAROLINA, FOR CHILD LABOR. Wants to Feed Little Lives to Moloch Tries to Throw Dust in Eyesof Nation By Dragging in the Race Question to Shield His Masters. (Scripps-McRae Dispatch.) Washington, Jan.

8. Senator Overman of North Carolina, in a speech today- declared in favor of child labor. He said if congress should legislate regarding education in the states and undertake to administer upon and control the schools, and should make a law which would require that black, white and Japanese children be admitted to the same school, it would shut the door of every school in the sotuh and extreme western-states, besides causing bloodshed and riots. PRETTY PARTY. Mrs.

A. W. Shulthis gave a delightful dinner party last night in honor of her daughter, Miss Muriel Shulthis' birthday anniversary. Covers were laid for six and an elaborate dinner was served. Work at Any Time i I.