The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1873-01-02
EcOnOmy.

Certain members of the Legislature, who are
about to go to Topeka for the first time, ar- max
ing their calculations what measures they will
carry through. and what extravagances they will
lop of, to reduce expenses and lessen taxes II
they will hearken TO an old sfager for a moment
we will foreshadow the success they will meet
with in their praiseworhy efforts.
They will start out brash for economy, and
fight vigorously for about three days; but on the
third day, they will discover that they do not
amount to a rbw Of pins, and will incontinently
subside; and for the balance of the term, they
will look on in gaping wonder at the way the
money flies. About the second day. resolution
will go through, ordering IS worth of postage
stamps for each member and officer, amounting
to some $50. Then, ten OF twenty copies Of a
daily paper, at q per copy for the session, will
be voted to each officer and member, making
about 1900 or 5000 copies, amounting to from
5000 to 5000.
But when the pet State Institutions make their
modest demands, the idea of economy will vanish.
The Normal Schools and the Universities will put
in their estimates for current expenses, every
asking for an increase OF officers and an Increase
of salaries for the Offices The Penitentiary will
want at least 100000, for current expenses, and
$4,000 for indebtedness incurred during the past
year. The Insane Asylum il already limiting
for fl5O,00O, for additional buildings. The
Desf and Dumb and the Blind Asylums will
each want new buildings, new furniture, and in
creased salaries. The State University will ask
the State to pay the bonds for which she went
security. The Agricultural College will ask for
. new building, farm on which to experiment
in tree-planting, and farms for other experiments
besides an appropriation to send army of stu
dents ont over the plains, in search of pebbles
and shells. The Capitol building will demand
rs 600 to complete the East Portico, and $4,000
to pay for cutting next years crop of "jmpson"
weeds, under the fictitious title of improving the
State House Grounds. A bill was begged and
bummed through, last Winter, establishing or re-
cognizing Colored Normal School at Quindaro.
This will fasten itself as a permanent leach upon
the State and ask for its modest pittance of
5000 or $4,000.
This is not all. The poor settlers on the from
tiers will be suffering, aud will ask for an appro-
priatiou to keep them from starving. The Neu-
tral Land fellows will ask that their losses be
paid. Commissioners will be authorized to hunt
up new claims for losses in Indian wars; and
every man who has lost anything, or thinks he
ought to have had something to lose, will have
in bill for damages, and will he lobbying to get
the State to pay it. Besides these things, influ-
ential members and Others will have particular
friends, male and female, who are desirous of
spending the Winter in Topeka, and solcitous for
some easy means of paying their way. These
will be appointed to imaginary Clerkships, and
draw their 50 per day for work which they have
not done.
This is the way that economy will prevail.
And the taxes will keep up, and the people will
groan and grumble.