Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1907 — MANY RADICAL MESSAGES. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MANY RADICAL MESSAGES.

Governors Urge n Vigorous War on Trusts and draft. Four remarkable .messages sent to Legislatures by the Governors of Western States announced the beginning of

a fight for reform in the West on an un p r e cede iited scale, writes a Chicago correspondent. Laws radical, some of them perhaps revolutionary in character, are urged. In Missouri ,slichigan,

Colorado- and Nebraska - the legislators were stirred by vigorous appeals for laws to end ring rule, throttle trusts and make the people at the polls supreme. Railroad rate laws, primary legislation, anti-lobbying measures, municipal ownership, child labor laws, low fares and anti-trust and antigambling measures were some of the topics touched upon. Gov. Folk of Missouri asks that professional lobbyists be sent to jafl, that corporations which do not behave themselves be put out of existence, that railroads, insurance companies, employers, liquor men, and political parties be governed by rigid laws. He favors direct nomination of United States Senators at the polls, and action by the Legislature to help along the movement for the constitutional amendment to provide for direct election of Senators and for the initiative and referendum. The reforms he recommends are many and radical. In Michigan Gov. Warner urged severe regulation of railroad and other orporations, measures to end stock Higgling, elimination of professional obbyists, lower railroad rates, State ■ontrol of private banks, and a new ure food law. Gov. Sheldon of Nebraska demanded

that ’“conspirators against the common good” be prosecuted and suppressed. He advocated strict laws against lobbying, a primary law, legislation that will end ring rule in Nebraska, regulation of railroads 0 by means of a* State commission and lower railroad rates. He taxed the

railroads for their conduct and declared for a new deal and a just one. He said the people of Nebraska have awakened and determined to govern themselves. Got. McDonald of Colorado urged anti-trust legislation, a State law to regulate banks and laws for the control of Insurance companies by means of a State department. He urged the lawmakers to use caution in drafting reform legislation, that injustice be done to no one, but that the people be protected. Gov. Hughes in his message to the XeV York Legislature espoused the cause of William R. Hearst by recommending that provision be made for a recount of the ballots cast at the last mayoralty election In New York City. Railroad control, strict laws to govern political parties and other important reforms are recommended by the Governor.

GOV. FOLK.

GOV. HUGHES.