White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1872-01-25
EDITORIAL CerresponAence.
ToPEKA, January %, ID

E01tOf10l COffS8pO00cuCCs
TOPEKA, january q, 1871.
The Legislature has got down to earnest work
and there are already large number Of bills fol
consideration of then important, but the
bulk of them of local special nature, n usual
The bill postponing the 10 per cent. penalty on
taxes until the 10th of March has passed the House
and is now in the hands of q Senate Commute
1t will be up for consideration in the course Of a
dar or two. but what disposition will be made Oi
it is uncertain. 1t has some strong advocates, and
some equally strong opponents. The vote will
probably be close. The opponents of the bill ar
que (and perhaps not without reason) that, If TINS
penalty is postponed now, it will be bad Prcce-
dent, and will result in evil. In some locality or
another there is no money at any time, and many
persons are always suffering from the pressure;
40 that the 10 Der cent penalty would never fail
to distress them But if the penalty were post
poued now. next wear nobody would make any
effort to pay their taxes q. the required time,
der the calculation of having the penalty suspend
ed by the Legislature. II is also argued that all
the taxes collected thus far have been from resi-
DENTS while all most Of the non-resi,lents, and
especially the heavy land spectators, are delin-
quent, and that consequently, the postponement
would really be in the interest of the nonresident
speculator There is some truth in this reasoning;
but there is undoubtedly an unusual pressure up
on the people, and the pOstponement of the pen
atty now, would be welcome measure of relief.
Among the proposed alterations in the tax law,
there is bill making the taxes payable semi-an-
nually-one- half on the 18th of December, the re-
Inainder the 18th of June. This, it is thought,
will make the pressure lighter, and allow the
farmer more time to get his produce tUAmarket,
and permit him to avail himself Of the best prices.
The bill is yet in the hands of a committee and
there has been expression of feeling to Indicate
with what favor il will be received.
There seems to be a strong disposition to enact
laws that will tend to encourage the emigration
or investment of capital in Kansas; and with this
view, a number of bills have been introduced
amending the exemption laws. One of them pro-
poses to make any property holden for its pur-
chase money, and for the purchase money Of other
exempt property. 1t is very doubtful whether any
of these bills will pass, unless in greatly modi-
fed condition.
Another bill proposes to exempt from taxation
all money loaned in the State, secured by mort
cages ON real estate. This encouragement to
money lenders and usurers would exempt the bulk
of loaned money from taxation. Perhaps per
centage paid to capitalists bonus would en-
courage the emigration of capital. These meas
ures mostly stand good chance to fail. Capital
is a good thing, but not good enough to warrant
such thing placing the people of Kansas at
the mercy of foreign capitalists.
The most exciting debate in the House, has
been upon bill to repeal the usury law. 1t pro-
posed to leave the legal rate at per cent, but
permitted by contract any rate that the money
lender might have conscience to ask, and that the
necessities of the borrower might force him to ac
cede to. After two day $ hot discussion, the bill
was defeated. But it is likely to come up in
modified shape.
The herd law will be another exciting ques-
ton. The people Of the South and West, where
timber is scarce, are strongly in favor Of herd
law; while those of the river Counties strong
ly opposed to it. The law, to be constitutional,
must be general in its operation; and the thing
over which the committee appointed on the ques-
tion are now puzzliug, is how to get up cousti-
tutional law that will satisfy both Sides
Mr.. MAILER, of Doniphan County, has intro
dueed bill in the House, repeating the provision
in the Estray law that requires all advertisements
Of estrays to he published in the Kansas Farmer,
30 that, in stead, they may he published in the
County papers. If it passes the House, il will
stand good show in the Senate. similar act
passed the Senate last Winter, but was pocketed
by the Chairman of Committee in the House.
The usual number of bills are coming in, for the
of persons disfranchised under
the Constitution. Why not submit an amend
ment to the Constitution at once, repeating the
DISTINGUISHING articlei The time for it has come.
and it is the only effectual way to secure com.
plete enfranchisement of all.
There seems to be strong feeling in favor of
submitting the question of a Constitutional Con-
vention to the people. A new Constitution is
badly needed; and the probable expense, that
frightens many, will be far less than the ex-
penses run up, every two three years, by reason
IF imperfectiOns and omissions i'm our present !
Constitution.
The consolidation of State educational nstitu- ,
ions will be up for consideration. If it would
inbrace the question of relocating all the State
institutions at the Capital, it would
e well. The scattering of these institutions over
he State, has proven to be bigger elephant than
ne most sanguine anticipated; and even now, q
i'er all the expense that has been incurred, the
''a'e would save money by the change spoken Of h
Road bills, amendments of the Codes of Grim. T
nal and Civil Procedure, acts relative to the fir
ng OF marshes and prairies, the legazation Of il
egal acts of officers, ETC., on hand in the usual
,rofusion.
Ihe temperance question is likely to occupv G
ONE attention, in the way of bills relative to IL
ensing dram-shops.
There is a bill in the House providing for COM a
ulsory education; and several bills for the pro-
ection of schools from the smallpox 7
bill is pending in the Senate authorizing the :
ify Council of White Cloud to convey the Pub il
c Square selected for that purpose This has a
cen done to satisfy the scruples of those persons
'ho think the Council does not already possess !.
be right. O
OF course there will be no lack of appropriation
Ills; and the people, whatever they may be dis :,
osed to grunble about, will have no occasion to Al
'mplain that the appropriations Daboll" a sum II
tai too small for the dignity of the State. r. n
The apportionment of the State into Congress hi
onal Districts, excites much interest, and may p
'ove difficult question. There are many inter-
It's and many aspirants for Congress to be satis-
I'd and reconciled, and this can hardly be done ~