I have concluded to depart from the practice of predecessors, by addressing you. I am impelled to this departure by a belief that there are transactions, both complete and incomplete, connected with my administration, which should be brought to your attention in more fullness of detail and particularity of statement than could be expected or required of the governor elect; and I trust you will, by law, make it his duty to perform a work I have assumed to do at the peril of unfriendly criticism.”
The governor then gives a detailed account of the appointment of ex-Gov. Samuel J. Crawford as state agent, with a list of the bonds issued at various times for military purposes, amounting to $470,726.15, for which the state had not been reimbursed by the Federal government. He also discussed the Santa Fe strike; school lands and school funds; the correspondence with the governors of Ohio; the Indian raid of 1878, and included a list of pardons granted to convicts during his term of office. Gov. St. John, in his own message, made no reference to Gov. Anthony's farewell communication, though it appears to have been submitted to the legislature, as official copies of it were printed by the state printer. The day following its submission to Gov. St. John, the administration of Gov. Anthony came to a close.
Anti Horse Thief Association.—Shortly after the commencement of the Civil war, lawless men in the border states—that is the states lying between the loyal and seceded states—banded themselves together for the purpose of plundering honest citizens. Missouri especially was subject to the depredations of these gangs, and in time the conditions became so bad that the law-abiding people found it necessary to take some action for defense. The first organization of this character was proposed at a meeting held at Luray, Mo., in Sept., 1863. At a second meeting, held at Millport, Mo., about a month later, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and as horses seemed to be the principal objects of theft, the society took the name of the “Anti Horse Thief Association.” The effectiveness of such an organization quickly became apparent, the order spread to other states, and in time covered a large expanse of territory. After the war was over, when the conditions that called the association into existence no longer existed, its scope was widened to include all kinds of thefts and a national organization was incorporated under the laws of Kansas. This national order is composed of officers and delegates from the state associations and meets annually on the first Wednesday in October. Next in importance is the state division, which is made up of representatives of the local organizations, and meets annually to elect officers and delegates to the national order. The sub-orders or local associations are composed of individual members and usually meet monthly. Any reputable citizen over the age of 21 years is eligible for membership, widows of members receive all the protection to which their husbands were entitled while living, and other women may become “protective members” by payment of the regular fees and dues.
