The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-02-21
FROM THE CAPITAL.
TOPEKA. 18th Feb. 1865

TOPEKA, 18th Feb. 1868.
The work on the Revision of the Laws
goes slowly forward. The act in rela-
ton to counties and county officers has
passed the House. The material changes
are: More stringent provisions in re-
gard to settlements by county treas
urers; providing that no money shall be
drawn out of any fund i'll the treasury
except on the order oftho county clerk !;
prohibiting speculation in county scrip,
by county treasurers, under severe PEN
alties; providing for the recording of
all official bonds; limiting the power of
the county commissioners to levy taxes
for current expenses; providing for the
payment of salaries to- county attorneys,
instead of fees, as heretofore. The tax
law is under consideration now. The
changes made thus far are mainly as
follows: Providing that township trus-
tees shall be ex-officio assessors of
personal property In their respective
townships, taxing National Bank stock /;
and making some portions of the old
laws more explicit. 1t is believed that
the assessment of personal property by
township trustees will result in adding
a large amount of such property to the
tax roll, which has heretofore escaped
taxation. .r
The question of regulating fare and
freights on railroads has excited much
discussion. All measures of this kind
are leveled at the Union Pacific road
but their effects extend to new enter
prises and thus meet with much Opposi-
ton. It is stoutly maintained by many
of the ablest attorneys of the State, that
the Pacific roads are outside of any con-
troll of this character on the part of the
State. If this be true, laws regulating
fare and freights will apply only to
roads organized under the laws of the
State, of which there are only two in
operation inthe State the Leavenw orth,
Lawrence & Galveston and the Missouri
River road.
The law allowing boards of county
commissioners to aid county agricultural
societies in the purchase and improve
ment of Fair Grounds, has been amend
ed so as to require petition bya major
ity of the electors of the county before
any appropriation shall be made, and
will probably pass in that shape.
An important change in the tax law,
which I overlooked, above, is made
authorizing the county treasurer to issue
his warrant to the sheriff of any county
in the State for the collection of taxes
on personal property. This will save
large amounts to some counties
The Senate has passed a bill destroy
ing all distinctions of sex or color in the
qualification of persons for the practice
of law. The indications are that it will
pass the House. e@
The usual amount of special legislation
is pressing, relating to locating
and changes of State roads, changes of
names, vacating streets and alleys, de-
claring minors of lawful age, &c.-but
as yet it is treated with little favor, the
Touse being of the opinion thas all
such matters. should be regulated by
general laws. 1t is to be hoped that the
Legislature will remain of this mind,
and stop the enormous expenses which
such legislation annually imposes. o.
THE News, with its clear face and
new dress, came yesterday. 1t certainly
excels its best estate Of any former day.
Long life to,it