The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-02-11
FROM TOPEKA.
Doings of the state Legislature.
Editorial Correspondence.


sSnltortaA Correspondence
TEXAS CATTLE.
The measure to change the law so as
to permit the driving ofTexas cattle into
our section of the State having been
discussed both in private circles and in
THE News, it is but proper for us to
state that there will be no change this
season. a consultation of all the men,
bers from our section of the State, in
Guiding the counties of Lyon, Green
wood, Butler, Chase and Marion, was
held on Friday last, and it was found
such a measure would be just about
unanimously opposed. All realize that
it would be n good thing for Emporia,
and while all the members feel as
though they would like to do anything
in their power for the upbuilding ofthe
town, they do not think it best to jeop-
ardize the stock growing interests by
opening up way for the admission of
Texas cattle, in order to do so.
CHEROKEE RESOLUTIONS.
A series of resolutions in regard to
the Cherokee Neutral lands have occu-
pied much time in the House. These
look to the recognition of the rights of
the settlers, and are intended as an ex-
preston against joy. Nearly all admit
that the treaty by which Joy got the
lands was an outrage not only upon the
settlers, bat upon decency, and COM
pletely trampled under foot the preemp-
ton and homestead laws. But the
question is, what good will the passage
of these resolutions do now, as the gov
eminent has already commenced to is
sue patents to Mr.. JOY. The discussion
of the question has been long and te-
dious. The patience of the members
has been worn threadbare, especially
that portion of them who wish to stop
speech-making and proceed with work.
A full history of the treaty and the
troubles has been brought out. The
resolutions can only amount to an ex-
preston of sympathy with the settlers.
The leading speeches for the resolutions
were made by Hon. Amos Sanford, of
Cherokee county, and Mr.. Pierce, of
Franklin. Both these gentlemen are
able and forcible debaters. At the close
tleman the galleries cheered him hearth
ly, which is the only speech in which
the spectators have manifested that de-
gree of interest in the proceedings of
the House. In Mr.. Sanford the settlers
have persistent and faithful represent
alive. The opposition has been led by
Judge Burris, of Johnsoncounty, and
Col. Webb, of Bourbon, both debaters
of fine abilities. At two or three times,
could the vote have been taken, the res
olutions would have been defeated. ]
can give. no guess as to their strength
now. The discussion so far has devel-
oped committee which has been sent
down to Cherokee county to inquire
into all matters connected with the
| troubles.
THE STATE TREASURY.
All are aware that q committee of the
House, known in legislative circles as
smelling committee" has been after
"uncle George" Graham, the man that
handles the State funds. So far their
olfactories have been able to hunt out a
tolerably sized "micc." They found the
money all on hand, we believe, but it
has been deposited with one of the To-
peka banks, and the committee found
that the Treasurer, in consequence of
these deposits, had placed to his private
credit something over $1,000. This the
law prohibits. The Treasurer testified
that he knew nothing about having this
sum placed to his credit, and that no ar
rangament had been made to that effect
the duty of the Governor; Secretary of
State and Auditor to examine the books
of the Treasurer every month. The
committee found that this duty had not
been complied with. The officers state
that it is impracticable to perform this
duty as it would take them half their
time or more to discharge it. The up
shot of the matter is that joint COM
mittee of the two houses has been ap-
; pointed to make further investigations,
the friends of Mr.. Graham charging
that the former investigation was un-
fair and one-sided. On this matter the
two Topeka banks are at war as to
which ought to keep these deposits,
while many claim that the interests of
the State demand that they should not
be kept in bank at all. We shall soon
see what the new committee have to re-
port. The majority of members and
the public believe Mr.. Graham ''as
honest as the day is long"
sPEECH-MAKIEG.
The speech-making propensities of
. the members have never been surpassed
by any legislative body with which we
have been acquainted. Nearly four
fifths of the time has been consumed in
this way, and we are now on the 26th
day of the session, without having given
our Enrolling and Engrossing clerks
over two or three days work. The
candidates for assistant clerkships have
disappeared. They got discouraged
standing around with their hands in
their pockets listening to the eloquent
speakers.
THE AMNESTY BILL.
The most important bill yet before the
; House, and one which drew forth
much discussion was the general
: amnesty bill introduced by Judge Hal
} derman, of Leavenworth. TWAS fought
with much ability by Col. J. d. Snoddy.
, Mr.. Hunter made good speech against
the bill. Judge Burris and others IA
vored it. But time has effaced much of
the old feeling of bitterness towards
rebels, and III accordance with the more
! liberal spirit of the day, the bill passed
by vote of 65 for, and only about 20
against it. The Senate having passed
similar bill few days ago, it is fair
to suppose the House bill will pass that
body and become a law. Governor
Harvey is already committed in its favor
having recommended the passage of
:: such law in his annual message.
NEW LAND DISTRICT.