The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-02-26

consequently nslderabiy outraged at
the unconstitutionality OF the measure.
The Governor cited two sections of the
constitution, but the legislature could
not see it. This legislature has two or
three worthy precedents for the pass
age of such a law, and it was charged
by one of the Senators that the Gov
ernor himself voted for similar bill
last winter while member of the Sem
ate. The bill only proposes to borrow
from the fund, and not to divert the
money from the object for which it was
raised, and consequently the Govern
or's constitutional objections were re-
garded as not applicable to the meas
ure. So the bill was passed by large
majority of both branches, the objec-
tons of the Governor, Topeka bankers,
and Atchison Champion TO the contra
ry Notwithstanding.
Much discussion has been elected on
the bill regulating tile rates of fare and
freight ON railroads. The bill is aimed
more particularly at the exorbitant and
outrageous charges of the Union Pacif-
ic road. 1t reduces the rates of travel
to five cents per mile, and the freight
tariffs about twenty-five per cent. The
bill was urged by nearly every member
from the counties along the line of the
road. It's discussion occupied a couple
of days, in which the question of the
right of the State to regulate the charges
of the road was fully brought ont. The
best lawyers on the floor seemed to be
8 81 hat 1a .sfsHf nlo
The road is operating under the old
charter of the Leaveaworth and Paw
nee road granted in 1856, and it seems
to be clear that they have no charter at
all for that portion of the road from
Wyandotte to Lawrence. 1t was ar
! gued, also, that the old charter had been
repealed, and that the company had for
feited their vested rights under it by
reason of having failed to comply with
its provisions. The feeling was made
| stronger against the road from the fact
that they have refused to pay any taxes
/ in the counties through which it runs.
They have taken the matter to the Su-
preme Court of the United States, on
an injunction, and we have made an ap-
/
in the suit. The matter of regulating
fare and freights on this road had been
before two former legislatures, and the
members felt that it was time the ques-
ton of the rights of the State to con-
troll it and make it pay taxes as other
property, ought to be settled. l do
not know of business man in the State
| yhn clr
think the measure good one. The bill
passed the House by vote of 20 for to
9against. There is some doubt about
its passage III the Senate.
The excitement growing out of the
discussion on the railroad bill, culmi-
mated in little shooting affair at the
Tefft House on Friday morning last, be-
tween Major Tom Anderson, the agent
of the road at this city, and a gentleman
named Allen. Allen made the remark,
on Thursday evening, that there was
mot an honest man connected with the
road-that they were all set of id
thieves" or words to that effect. This
language coming to the ears of the Ma
jOr, he Immediately called on Mr.. AL
|
rogation, said that he had used such
language. Thereupon the Major APP
piled to Mr.. Allen some very abusive
language, and struck him. The latter
gentleman ran to his room, followed by
the Major, upon reaching which he pro
cured a small revolver and commenced
} firing upon Anderson. The Major ran
through the hall and up stairs to the
room of gentleman whom he knew
had Spencer rifle. Allen followed
firing at the Major as he retreated. Ii
an instant Anderson came down The
stairs with the rifle cooked and. ready
for bloody work. BY this time a con
siderable crowd had gathered in the
hall, and by their instantaneous action
: in selling and disarming the two men
, saved bloodshed. Two balls hit Ander
son, one infiicring very slight wOunt
in the arm and the other a severe wounC
, in the leg above the knee. The ball be-
ing small did not injure the bone, bu
passed around it. 1t has not yet beer
} extracted. The Major is laid up a
c home, and Allen is at large. The prob
Y ability is he will not be arrested. 1t j:
s thought by some. that this is not the enc
D of this bloody work, as both men arr
' known TO be fearless and to a consider
D able extent reckless. hope they viii
= both let their better judgment control
/ and amicably settle the matter. Boil
J, were to blame. In the first place, Mr.
e Allen ought not TO have made such {
f sweeping assertion about the employees
: of the road. While some of them may
e be scamps, 1 know several of them tC
!, be as honorable and upright in theil
: transactions with the public as any cias
: of men in the State, and among them il
!, Major Anderson. He has held severa
e prominent positions, and no charge o
d dishonesty has ever been made agains
e him that had any foundation in truth
+ But the Major will have an extensiv,
d contract on hands if he undertakes tt
C chastise every person who calls the rail
II road company and those connected witt
e them thieves and rascals. 1t is one o
l. the peculiar prerogatives of the publ
y to call railroad mes thieves, and Majo
IS Anderson must learn to swallow suci
d epithets good naturally.
/ Several bills have passed both branch
J, es, the provisions of which 1 shall no
q tice hereafter. S.
st TOPEKA, Feb. sd, 1869.
II The general appropriation bill is nov
e under discussion. 1t is receiving tn
'e utmost scrutiny, and every cent is be
e ing stricken out that can be spared
- ITha Cnmmittee of WareL and Mean