The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-02-26
LETTER FROM THE CAPITAL.
TorEkA. KAN. Feb. %. l6a

TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. %, go.
ED. NEWS: In watching closely the
legislature of the State of Kansas one5
can hardly help coming to the conclu-.
sion that the members have taken les.
sons in legislative proceedings from the
Congress of the United States, and, in
imitation, have not only learned show
not to do it," but how to be long time
about it.
Every member and all the State off,
GERS were at first firm in the belief that
the present session would be short. But
our reflections at this time lead us to
exclaim i'll the scriptural language of
one of old, "Oh Lord how long"
l do not wish to be understood as
casting any reflection upon this legisla-
ture. 1t is much ADLER body of men
than l at first supposed il to be; and, l
must say that in my opinion it has been
actuated in it's deliberations by desire
to promote the best interests of the
State.
That the session has been prolonged
beyond all expectations owing, in part
at least, to the fact that thorough in
vestigation into all Che public buildings
and institutions has been made-all con-
tracts, by which the public money is to
be drawn, have been overhauled-the
financial condition of the State has been
thoroughly examined, and the Iegisla-
tion, so far rs it has progressed, has been
considered with unusual care and de-
liberation, so l think that what is done
will be regarded by the people as we'll
done.
There will be no suffrage propositions
submitted by this legislature no
schemes inaugurated looking to indi-
viduai aggrandizement at the public
expense-nO extravagant appropriations
nor niggardly allowances, but wise
liberality from motives of economy
seems to be the aim. that our State NAV
be placed. as far as possible with the
means at command, upon a oble and
prosperous career.
A proposition to amend the consti-
tuition by striking the word arhite out,
came up in the Senate and fioated for a
little-Nhile on the political atmosphere,
! but not receiving the constitutional
number of votes, it fell back, not dead,
but asleep. Another proposition to
amend the constitution ostensibly for
the purpose of bringing about biennial
sessions through the plan of submitting
an indefinite number of amendments at
the same election, met the same sad
fate.
E'Friend after friend DEPARTS"
Believe, if you will, that ''all things
are for the best" l will not. Bnt, like
Paul. am inclined to think that all
things which are right are not at all
times expedient, so | indorse the wis
dom of the legislature in not submit
ting these propositions at this time In
the manner and form proposed, because,
| as to the first, it is inexpedient, and, as
to the second, it is in my Judgment, I'M
necessary, as the Legislature can, if it
chooses. bring about biennial sessions
without resolving itself into a constitu-
| tiOnal convention and submitting a
whole constitution to a vote of the peo-
pie under color of amendments, at one
time.
The bill to continue the auditing of
! the Price raid claims and to assume the
| debt has become a law. But the as
! sumption does not amount to much as
there is no provision made for the pay
ment of the scrip.
The Senate has passed bill giving to
the Normal School little more land as
a further endowment and more partic-
ularly designating the lands which be-
long to the institution. The appropri-
alton for the school has not passed the
| House, but there is no doubt about it.
The Normal stands in great favor with
the legislature.
Mr.. Stotler, your faithful, vigilant
Representative, in honoring whom our
people honor themselves, is attentive
and judicious in the management of our
interests, and holds leading position
in the House. l think no member ex-
erts greater influence. 1 happened to
be in the House the other day when an
important bill came up and Mr.. Stotler
made one of his honest, logical, iniTnit-
able, short and earnest speeches against
it. Several constitutional lawyers
tried to answer him, but for that time
Jake had them, and after several mem
:, bers had Endorsed Mr.. Stotler's views,
general clamor was raised to strike
out the enactiug clause-which means
to kill the bill. The friends of the meas
ure plead earnestly to give them chance
to '.amend the bill to meet the objec-
tons urged by the gentleman from Ly-
on" and it was only when Mr.. StotleT
appealed to the House to grant the
friends of the measure the favor they
asked, that it was saved from an carly
grave. Mr.. Stotler's excellent wife is
here with him which no doubt accounts
for his good behavior
Senator Mead, Chairman of the Ways
and Means COMMITTEES, has discharged
his duties faithfully, from all that can
, hear, and with marked ability. He is q
young man, comparatively speaking
with some experience as a Legislator
He stands well among the members
! and yindicates the wisdom of the peo-
pie of his district in the choice they
, made for such an honorable position.
NJ. NJ. Murdoch, Senator from Usage
county. and editor of the Burlingams
: Chronicle, is one of the most efficient
: and ready members of the Senate. He
: is quick to perceive and always ready
TO take an honorable advantage of 8
: point. He doesn't sail >high nor soal
: aIoft, but goes right for the carcass o.
the question st once. Practical, witty
: and earnest, he has the respect and con
|, | fidence of the entire Senate. The. Sen
ate would yieidsa good deal of its jndg
ment to grant request made by ths
/, ASenator from Usage He makes az
8 able legislator. The people of his iis
, trict should be proud of their HenatOl
|. as he is proud of his constituents .
|. whose hands he has been 50 Highly hon
l ored. He has introduced and go