The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-01-22
FROM TOPEKA.
TorEKA, Jan. l9, 1869.

Inc race Tor speaker WAS brisk for
day or two, but Mr.. NJ S. Adams of
Leavenworth, walked over the track
with ease. Perhaps hO man in the State
il better qualified for this position than
the present incumbent. He possesses
all the qualities which are needed for a
successful and popular presiding officer
to greater degree. perhaps. than any
gentleman who has occupied the Speak
er's chair.
The House has entered earnestly
upon business. The number of bills
introduced at the end Of the sixth day
is Sc, and the concurrent resolutions are
legion. A few have been passed-One
to give Prof. Norton the nine hundred
dollars due on his last years salary,
which was not paid on account of q
mistake of the clerks at the last session.
The bill to extend the time for the pay
ment of taxes without penalty, was, as
usual, introduced by LeaveRwOrth, and
put through the House, under suspen-
sion of the rules. There were no petit
tons asking for the passage OF such an
act. II was urged By most OF the menu
bers from the new western counties
which suffered from the Indian depre-
dations, and this gave the measure its
strength. Had il not been for the ur-
gent requests of those western men.
which the meIabers were disposed to
look upon favorabiy, the bill would
have had but little strength. The Sen
ate, however, killed the bill unceremo-
niOusly. 1t will come up again in the
shape of new bill, and it's friends now
claim II will pass. ] think it has lost
strength in the House since the former
vote. So far as / can learn, there is no
necessity for the bill. l have made con-
siderable inquiry, and learn that in most
of the counties a larger amount of the
taxes have been paid than usual at this
time of year. The fact that Leaven-
worth and Douglas counties once repu-
dated their taxes, and that they annn-
ally ask for such a measure as this does
not strengthen the measure.
Several bills have been introduced In
relation to Texas cattle. A strong
move will be made to repeal the exist
ing law. A proposition comes from
LeavenwOrth in this shape: If the
State will give n company which is yet
to be organized authority to drive cat
tie in on the route they may choose.
they will enter into bond of one mill
ion dollars to indemnify all loss Occa-
stoned by driving them through the
State. My guess is that the privilege
m aH 81 L..
A bill is before the Senate to raise the
interest on investments in tax title 10
80 per cent. A good deal of interest is
felt in the county seat fights ian DOni-
phan and Marshall counties. The MEM
hers from these counties want the pres
emit law repealed. Several amendments
are offered to the tax law and code Of
civil procedure. Important amend
ments are offered to the school laws.
These have the Endorsement of the
State Superintendent, and other edu-
Gators.
There is a strong disposition not to
meddle with the codified laws. They
have just been published, and are not
yet sent to all the counties. We GER
tainly hope they will not be interfered
with till the test of few years, at least,
point out the most needed amendments.
Uuquestionably few amendments will
be made at this session, but the dispO-
sitiOn on the part of the Judiciary Com
mittee is to kill all amendments not alb
solutely demanded.
| A resolution to adjourn on the first
day of February was unceremoniously
killed In the House OF the second day
of the session. There is some feeling
in favor of short session, but am of
the opinion now that the fifty days will
be consumed.
A bill is in asking the State to assume
the payment of the Price raid claims.
As usual this proposition comes from
the border tier. Bills have been intro
duced TO abolish the Office of township
assesssOr--also to abolish the Office of
County Assessor. One of these will be
abolished. 1t seems to be utter foolish
ness to have double set of assessors,
at double cost.
The present House is a good one
better than l expected it was. do not
pay it the stereotyped and doubtful
compliment of saying it is the best one
ever assembled in the State.
| The new Senate is also better in point
of talent than many had supposed.
The tall member from Fort Scott seems
to take the lead. Tucker and Mead of
the Southwest are accorded important
positions on committees, and are among
the practical, Woodworking men of the
Senate.
The new State officers are fairly in
stalled in their respective offices. Gov
Harvey is the same unassuming man he
was on the farm, and the impression is
now that he will make q number one
Executive. His message lie received
with great favor, and during its deliv-
! cry was frequently applauded. II is the
best message ever delivered by an ex-
| ecutive of this State. Ii IL solid, prac-
tical and sound. Lieutenant Governor
Eskridge is already popular presiding
officer. Ny prediction is that he will
give as good satisfaction ms any gentle
man ever in the chair of President of
the Senate, il not better. He shows q
disposition to rush business. Our pOr-
tiOn of the State Jared well in the COM
mittees.
predict that Col. Moonlight will be
the most popular and upright Secretary
the State has ever had, and that ali our
officers will have 9 good record two
years hence.
Considerable surprise was manifested
over the letter signed by two of the
Penitentiary Commissioners, Messrs.