The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-01-01
LEAvEHwoRTH, Kansas, Dec. %, 1873

| LEAvEHwoRrH, Kansas, Dec. %, 1873.
70 lillian y. Alien,
4. Henderson,, ComriiHes,
j. S Hinkie
GENTLEMEN - 10 compliance with your
request, ! herewith submit my views upon
the foregoing questions.
Firsl-I am in favor ofcolise ing the taxes
semi-annually.
S-c,nd-I sm most emphaticaliy in iaVor
Of The immediate repeal OF the present I'M
equal and unjust railroad assessment law.
Third-Ye-, restoring the old law forfeit
ing all interest
Fourth -Yc.. snl prohibiting all psrqii-
ties.
Fifth-l an in favor Of a more radica!
change than you recommend. l would iaVor
no law with penalty for the non.
payment OF taxes greater than twelve
per cent. per annum. Six per CEN.
per annuin is the highes: interest, any legiu-
mate business in this country can afford to
pay for capital. Six per cent. additional
charged to those unable to pay, makes the
penalty in nv opinion sufficiently great.
For the purpose of wiping out the occ1pa-
ton Of that odious class of men, wEo thrive
and fatten upon the misforiunes OF Others
/ would 40 amend the Law, that all properly
sold for unpaid taxes, be purchased only 10y
the city or county, imposing the tax, with
provision for the safe of the ZANE by
court, granting liberal terms OF redemr-
ton.
Sixth-Yes.
Z Seyen,h-Ycs, and the wiping out OF the
penalty also.
Eighth would no: favor any change in
the present School Law, unless after careful
consideration a, the hands of taose fitted to
Judge it was deemed best.
Eiu,h-Yes. and / would recommend the
passage OF law regulating attorneys fees in
all cases where no written contract Is made
between client and attorney. l would also ia
vor the passage of law regulating Physi-
clans fees.
Ten,h,-I am 10 favor Of a constitutional
convention.
Eleventh. think the law ought to be re-
,eaIcd, nezrly every locality in Kansas has
already been burdenei with too heavy
bonded Indebtedness. There are also many
other laws that onght to be amend"' midi
fed or repealed. The Deben'ure ia~ aud
the Law exsmpting mortgages from taxation
ough, to be repealed at once.
The railroad Isw should be so amended as
to compel all railrosd companies in the state
to have their President, Secretary and ma
ior,ty of their directors citizens OF Kansas,
and REQUIRE them 10 keep their principal
Offices in the state. All railroads should BY
Law be compelled to SO arrange the running
of their trains as to accommodate the travel
| ing public and make close connections with
other roads at all crossings and functions
with other roads, when practicable.
The rates of passenger fares and freight
tariffs should also be fixed by law.
The Office of Superintendent of Insurance
ought to be abolished.
The public printing ought TO be let by
contract TO the lowest bidder.
The various charitable and educational
institutions in the state should be located in
one place. The present eysteca of locating
,hese institutions in various places induces
the reoreseu,a,ives of these districts to con-
bine upou an omnibus bill to vote annually
to these institutions larger snms than are re-
quired.
There are too many officials, with too
large salaries. Most of the city governments
| in the state, might be wiped out. To Illus
trate there are two city governments in the
county of Leavenworth, the city and the coun-
\ ty both might be united under one, and called
''the city and county of Leavenworth," with
one set Of officials, thus saving the expense
OF one needless government. The same rule
will spply to other ci,iea and counties in the
state.
| Iyould also recommend the passage of
. Civil Rights hill.
These answers and Suggestions are hastily
made with little or no explanations. They
NAV not therefore be fully understood. l
merely give them az off hand opinions,
which should receive thsi consideration
which the importance Of the subject demands
before legislative action lie taken.
That retrenchment and reform are needed
BY the people, and that prompt action is
demanded know. There has been to much
legislation in the past. Very few new laws
are required. Many existing laws ought to
be repealed. The spirit Of reform should be
Sossered, and the industrial elements of the
Ss,ts should be encouraged to organiz,, to
The end that laws may be ensc4ed guaran.
icing to the labofinG masses the fruits Of
u der toll In conclssion, esntlemen, per
nit Ne to ny that IN ny humble opinion, il
i The duty q al Who desire TO promote the
welfare cf IL people and develop the re'
{ / spnress a he ersat essia ~ Kanas. to calm
4 II - 1ilaainaa1iy dfnsns all aoestiosl
Il snre1ine ~ n6Aa3ka inAessas and theu
81 go - ~ - .sEysg.a. uisasa e ~
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