The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-01-30
FROM THE STATE CAPITAL.

FROM THE STATE CAPITAL.
The CAPITAL AS 1T Is-JUsTicE TO WESTERN
| KANsAs-GOvERNOR's MEssAGE-srArE rlN,s-
| Observation-Disclosures PLAYED OUT
| LAWRENCE CONTESTED SEAT oUgsroN-ou
| REPRESENTATIvE-sTArE UNIvERsITY-pprxr.
ING CosTRAcrs-sENAToRlAL,E ETC.
TOPEKA, January q, 1862.
DEAR UNIcN-The meeting of the Le-
gislature. and the gathering Of the poll
ticians from all parts of the State. has
created qni;e change in our otherwise
quiet Capital. All the hotels and priva,e
boarding houses are filled, aud the streets
present quite business appearance. The
citizens here, having for years anticipated
the location of the seat of government at
their town, have erected better class of
buildings than is usually found in Western
burgs The accommodations are ample for
the Legislature, aud the different State
departments. l doubt whether any other
place in the State could have furnished as
good accommodations on SO short notice.
The Legislature met on the 14,h inst.
NJ. S. Adams of Leavenwor,h was elected
Speaker of the House on the FIRST ballot.
He makes m aSle. efficient, and popular
presiding officer. The West is pretty we'll
represented in the different positions in
both Houses. In the Senate, 1 notice
l.. S. Pigman, of Breckenridge, is Sergeant
at Arms, and c. f. Ingrabam. of Riley,
Engrossing Clerk. In the House, d. w.
Adams, of Wabaunsee. is Engrossing Clerk:
L. I. Watson, of Riley, Journal Clerk
A. Mckinney, formerly of Junction City,
Docket Clerk and r. s. Miller, of Dick
inson, Assistant Enrolling Clerk.
The Governors message is generally well
spoken Of In this respect Governor Rob.
inson is very much like Frank Pierce
notwithstanding his unpopularity all con-
cede that he writes good message
The finances of our State seem to be
$4,000 has recently been negotiated in
New York, and scrip that few weeks
since was selling at forty to fifty cents on
the dollar, is now being redeemed in U. S.
Treasury Notes at par. Scrip is eagerly
sought for at ninety cents.
Several bills have already been intro
d;,ced in the House, and our Legislators
have began business as if they intended
doing something.
Monday of the second week, Goth inst.)
the Solons here copgregated began work in
earnest. The Jay hawking resolution, which
authorizes the Governor to call on Major
General Hunter for military aid in sup
pressing this popular method Of stealing
within the limits of State, was eloquently
discussed, after which it passed the House,
and has since received the Governors sane.
'ion. You can set Jaybawking down among
the "things that wcre."
Wedncsday, the contested seat question
was under consideration, and was referred
back to :he Committee to hear further evil
dence. Thursday, the Committee reported
Sidney Clark entitled to the seat in the
House occupied by G. W. Smith, who was
elected by the bal.o.-box stufrrrs Of Law
renee. Smith desired a hearing-i,i, gray
hairs had the effect to soften the hearts of
the members, which were hardened against
him BY the evidences of fraud and corrup-
zion gathered up by the Committee, and
lie was allowed a defence. When the
House was called to order, Smith began
a harangue, which lasted until dark, when
'hey adjourned. Smith, however, was
allowed further hearing of fifteen minutes
in the morning-which he extended until
noon, altogether forming one of the most
complete bores ever listened to. Who
could 6oub, the result? which was: Smith,
II votes Clark, SO. In Sir. Clark, Doug
las county has an able representative. He
is capable, energetic, and very promising
young man, and well worthy of an honest /.
md intelligent constituency.
Friday afternoon, your indefatigable and
i've representative, A. G. Pierce, ESQ,
introduced bill to lcgalize tae assess
nens Of Davis county, and also one char
ering ferry across the Kansas river at
Island City. 1t is, however, a question Of
ioubt as to whether or no the Legislature
las the power to establish ferries.
Bills have been introduced to locate the
State University at Manhattan, and Empo-
ia, and one will be introduced next week
% locate it at Lawrence. A big fight on
his question is inevitable.
The House is exercising somewhat the
professors of the cart pressrvatiye" here
'bouts IN regard to the letting of the con-
racts for the State Printing. They think
here is something rotten about it, and have
Committee smelling around, which has
,een already at work hearing evidence, &c.
hear it intimated that somebody will be
hauled over the GOALS" I hope not,
hongh-rasher early in the history of our
State to begin dis6guring its legislative
ecord with reports of Committees charging
raud and peculation upon those hi g6 in
be executive branch Of the government.