The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1861-04-03
r11r 1NnrpENDENT OSKALOOSA, KANSAS APRIL g. 1861

Federal Government be cherished, it is
the right and duty Of the Legislature
to ask such terms rs are just and equit-
able. The terms proposed by Congress
are for our free acceptance or rejec-
lion." and may be accepted absolutely
or conditionally. Should the Legislature
accept the proposition and exempt the
Public Lands from taxation on condi-
ton that the expenses Of the several
Constitutional Conventions, the awards
of the Claim Commissioners. and the
Indebtedness of the Territory, be paid.
and grant OF money and land for
public institutions. buildings and rail
roads be made, equal to grants made
to other states, it would doubtless be
readily acceded to by Congress.
The act Of admission provides that.
where either, or any par. Of sections
16 or 36 have been sold or otherwise
disposed of. other lands. equivalent
thereto and as contiguous as may be,
shall be granted to said state for the
use OF schools. No provision is made
for making this selection Of equivalent
lands for school purposes. and it is i'm
portant that it should be made by this
Legislature.
The Lands for University, Public
Buildings and Salt Springs. are to be
selected by the Governor. subject to the
approval Of the Commissioner of the
General Land Office, and to be disposed
Of in such manner as the Legislature
may prescribe. These lands. not hav-
ing been selected, their value cannot
as yet be estimated. nor can they be
intelligently disposed Of.
The School Lands, by the Consii.u-
tion, cannot be sold unless authorized
by vote Of the people at general
election, although they are subject TO
valuation and lease for any number Of
years no. exceeding twenty-five. at a
rate established by law. 1t is important
to obtain revenue from these lands as
soon as may be without sacrifice. and
some legislation is demanded on this
subject. In addition TO a provision for
leasing School Lands, it may be desira-
bic TO submit proposition TO the peo-
pie TO authorize the disposal of limited
amount of the most valuable lands.
Care. however. should be taken TO guard
against sacrificing them at low price
for the benefit Of speculation. 1t is
only in the more thickly populated FOR
tions Of the State that School Lands
should be sold, and then, a; valuation
wal, minimum of eight OF ten dollars
an acre. Pos;eri,y will hold the pres
ent generation TO strict accountability
for the dispo, ilion 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 muniliceut endowment. for
her Common Schools, Of any State IN
the Union save Minnesota.
The Constitution contemplates legis-
la,ion upon the following subjects:
The times and places OF holding Dis
tiicl Courts. aud their Jurlsdiction:
Jurisdiction Of Supreme Court;
Duties OF the CLERK OF the District
Court:
jurisdiction of the Probate Courts
and Justices Of the Peace
The selections of protein. Judge oi
District Court;
The duties of State and County Su.
perintenden,s of Public Instruction;
Establishment of uniform system
Of schools;
State University;
Benevolent Institutions;
Peniten,iary
Provision for the Poor:
! Organization of the Militia;
Apporiionment
Assessmen, of taxes:
Public Printing;
Property Rights of Married Women
Location of Capitol;
Removal of suits from Territorial te
State Courts;
a State seal.
The present Militia Law provides foI
the organization Of military companies
but for no regimental or brigade Off
GERS; if amended in this respect, u
would make the present law sufficiently
effective. The election of field officer.
by the commissioned officers OF the
companies composing the respective re
gimeuis or brigades. would be more
satisfactory to the rank and Gle. aud 4
surer reward of merit, than elections b,
the Lrgislature,or appointments by Tho
Executive.
All the laws or parts of laws, in fore.
in the Territory at the time of our nd
mission, not inconsistent with the Con
stiluiion, remain in force until they cx
pire or shall be repealed. il may not b.
!, necessary or expedient for the Legisla
|. ture to ac, upon all the subjects above
enumerated at its FIRST session. II i
made the duty oil the Gsst Legislature
however. to provide for az apportion
ment Of the Members Of the Legish
ture. and for submitting the question o
: permanent location of the Capital 20
vote Of the people. Some Legislation
concerning the jurisdiction Of the sever
!, al Courts. is required Immediately. ST
:. that this branch OF the Government
may have no doubts thrown over it
: action.
Al,lo,.L H. T...,:t,.t:.,.