The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-04-06

it may be desirable to submit proposition to the
people to authorize the disposal of limited
amount of the most valuable lands. Care, how
ever, should be taken against sacrificing them at
low price for the benefit of speculation. 1t is
only in the more thicky populated portions of the
State that school lands should be sold, and then
| at valuation with q minimum of eight or ten dol
lars Posterity will hold the present gen.
Grafton to a strict accountability for the DISPOSE
| ton of the school lands and the income secured
from their sale. With proper management of the
school funds, Kansas, in a few years, can have
the most munifeent endowment for her common
schools of any State in the Union save Minnesota.
The Constitution contemplates legislation upon
| the following subjects:
The times and places of holding District Courts,
and their Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
Duties of the Clerk of the District Court
Jurisdiction of the Probate Courts and Justices
of the Peace
The selection of protein. Judge of the District
Court;
Duties Of the State and County Superintendent
of Public Instruction
Establish uniform system of Schools;
State University;
Benevolent Institutions;
Penitentiary;
Provision for the Poor;
Organization of the Militia
Apportionment;
Assessment of Taxes;
Public Printing;
Property Rights of Married Women;
Location of Capital
Removal of suits from Territorial to State
Courts
A State Seal.
The present militia law provides for the organ
ization of military companies, but for regi-
mental brigade officers if amended in this
respect, it would make the present law sufficiently
effective. The election of field officers, by the
commissioned officers of thecompanies composing
the respective regiments or brigades, would be
more satisfactory to the rank and file, and a surer
reward of merit than elections by the Legislature,
or appointments by the Executive.
AS all laws or parts of laws in force in the Ter
ritory at the time of admission, not inconsis-
tent with the Constitution, remain in force until
they expire or shall be repealed. it may not be
necessary or expedent for the Legislature to act
upon all the subjects above enumerated at its first
session. 1t is made the duty of the first Legisla
ture, however, to provide for an apportionment of
the members of the Legislature. aud for submit
ting the question of permanent location of the
Capital to q vote of the people. Some legislation
concerning the jurisdiction of the several courts
is required Immediately so that this branch of the
government may have no doubts thrown over its
action.
Although the Constitution continues in force,
the Territorial laws, until they shall expire
repealed, without an exception each require some
change in phraseology, or otherwise, to make
them harmonic with the Stat. Constitution. This
being the case, and as the laws in many instances
are contradictory and obscure, time can be
more appropriate than the present for q complete
revision and codifcation of all the laws. A cod
flying committee, composed of the best legal tai
ent of the State, to sit during the recess, would
save expense and hurried legislation, excepting
such may be necessary to the harmonious work
ing OF the government, postponed until the regu-
lar session.
shall provide each year for raising revenue suffi-
cient To defay the current expenses of the State,
but fer Extraordinary expenses" the State may
contract debts.
THE suhiect of finances will call for CARLY oar
nest and careful consideration. With the most
rigid economy, the taxes for a few years must be
onerous, especially when the comparatively i'm
poverished condition of the people is considered.
1t is therefore proper to provide for funding the
extraordinary expenses attending the change from
O Territorial to State Government, including the
expenses of the Legislature.
The current expenses of the government might
be greatly diminished by reducing the number of
members of the Legislature. Until our population
shall have largely increased, forty-fve members
of the House and fifteen members of the Senate
would subserve the public interests quite as we'll
as the present number, and reduce the per diem
aggregate nearly one-half.
To lessen the tax for support of the Judiciary,
which cannot be less by the terms of the Consti-
tuition than $4,000 annually, the Legislature
might provide that each suitor should pay to the
CLERK for the of the State, small fee of or
two dollars, to be reckoned as costs against the
delinquent party As parties to suits are the per-
sons chiefly benefited by the courts no Injustice
is done them if they are taxed proportioEally.
Although it is believed that the General Gov
eminent will assume and pay the Territorial in
debtedness, amounting to about 500 900, in the
meantime it should be funded, payable some
years hence, that the credit Of the State may not
suffer and that the taxes already levied may be
appropriated for current State expenses.
The past year has been one of unpre eedented
drouth and consequent scarcity in Kansas. Our
farmers, encouraged by the bountifui return for
labor bestowed on the soil in years past, eultvat
ed an unusual quantity Of land. With an ordi-
.kCf,.s
would have been raised for export, and no people
would have been more highly favored than our
OVID. Instead, however, Of plenty and consequent
prosperity, many of our citizens have been the
recipients of foreign charity FOrth prompt and
generous relief afforded by States and individuals
a suitable acknowledgment should be made by the
Legislature and it is proper to inquire if our
State Is not able 10 provide for its own poor Ia fu
ture. No spirited and energetic people will be
recipe; Is of charity, when able to procure their
own subsistenee. Such q course would be demon
alizing and degrading. II the State has sufficient
credit, it would be better to it for the relief
of her citizens should it be necessary, than longer
live upon the generosity of others. Seed has al
ready been furnished in abundance for spring
planting, and by the first of June the stock that
abounds upon our prairies will be suitable for
food it is therefore to be hoped that q general
call for charity viii soon cease.
Although the past year has been one Of adver-
sity to our people, yet with stern integrity and
mutual cooperation between the several depart
meBts of the gov arnment, together with firm re-
lance upon that ProEidenee which has thus far
sustained aud directed Us, and whose promise that
seed-time aud harvest shall not fail inspire US
with hope and courage in the darkest hour, We
may confidently look forward to a happy AMI
prosperous future for our new State.
When Kansas applied for admis sion into the
Union, it WA supposed there was Federal Gov
ernment that would endure until the present gen
GRAFTON, at least, shcuid pass away. Recent de- !