The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-02-24
From the Capital.
TOPEKA, February q. 1876.

All. Otiii great tcdi VI real WOTh Wds
done during the past week. Many
bills have passed either one house OF
the other, and others are nearly per.
fected for passage.
Among the events of the week out
side of legislation may be mentioned
that os the expulsion from the House
of Representatives of A. j. Mowry, OF
Doniphan county, which event oc-
Cured on Thursday last by vote of
&C to 20. The committee on State af-
fairs had reported him as guilty of the
forgery of the Comanche county school
bonds. Mr.. Mowry claimed that the
committees examination had been er
parte; that he had had 10 proper OPP
porlunity for defense, etc. A Number
of leading members took the same view
and spoke and voted against the eX-
pulsion.
As resting under the charge of at
least culpablc carelessness in the pur-
chase of Mowry's bogus bonds, ex-
| Commissioners Smallwood and McCar-
ty are, under a resolution of the House
to be prosecuted in civil action for
the recovery of the amount of the
bonds, $4,000, if in the opinion of the
Attorney General the said parties are
liable
a new Centennial bill has been
brought into the House and has been
so far favorably considered as to be
| placed at the head of the calendar for
early action. The bill provides for the
erection OF a building and for other
expenses attending a Kansas exposi-
ton at the great show. The amount
Of money TO be appropriated is left to
be determined when the bill shall be
brought forward for consideration.
Meantime three of the State Cenien-
nial Commissioners have resigned their
places, namely, A. j. North, of Atchi-
sou, f. w. Dennis, of Topeka, and d.
j. Evans, OF Great Bend. These res
| ignations have been made in order to
smooth the way for the passage of The
bill.
Early in the week Mr.. Benton, of
Potiawatomie county, introduced res
oultions charged the Speaker and Chief
Clerk with having abused their power
in the appointment of too many SUBJ
ordinate enrolling and cngrossing
clerks. The subject was referred to
Sam. Woods retrenchment committee
which made report which resulted in
the discharge of several of said clerks.
The Senate refused by vote of Is
TO IA to concur in the House resolution
asking Congress 10 repeal the act pro-
vidihg for specie resumption in 1879.
Under the Attorney Generals opin-
ion the amount due to newspapers of
the State for advertising the constitu-
tional amendments last year, is $3.50,
and bill was introduced making an
appropriation for that amount. The
W dN vi iHC
House cut the amount down TO $32S4-
25, and the House passed the bill that
way. The Senate raised the amount
10 nearly the original sum. tits prob
able that the bill will pass as the Sen
ate has provided.
Senator st. Clair's bill giving school
officers the power to permit religious,
Grange and other meetings to be held
in school houses, has passed the SEN
ate. 1t has been decided by the courts
that there is now no such legal author
ity and some trouble has arisen, espe-
clally as to the holding Of Grange
meetings. This bill is to come in to
quiet such trouble.
A bill has passed the Senate making
railroad companies responsible for
damages by prairie fires set out by
sparks from locomotives.
The House apportionmcnt bill has
consumed good deal of time. 1t diff |
fers very considerably from the Senate
bill on the same subject. 1t is evident
that no small portion of the remaining |
days of the session must be consumed |
in coming to an agreement on an APP
law.
Committees of both houses have |
agreed to law providing for the cleo
ton Of county assessor TO hold his |
Office for two years, 10 make assess
ments of real property once in three |
years, improvements TO be assessed an
nually. Assessments of personal prop
erty are to be made annually by town
ship trustees as heretofore.
Senator Gillespie's joint resolution
to submit to vote of the pee pie a
to amend the constitution
SO AS TO give the Legislature power to
make appropriations TO run the State
government for two years, in view of
biennial sessions. has passed both
houses, The resolution contains also
n provision for the election of three
commissioners, one to be elect
ed annually, to held Office for three
,ears.
The Senate has recommended for pas
sage bill providing for the election Of
,hree trustees of the benevolent insti-
that is, the asylums, in lieu of
he dozen or two of such officers hold
ng heretofore. This will be great
economy and will lead to better care
Of the institutions.
Congress last year passed law pro-
riding for the disseminating the Office
If Surveyor General for Kansas, in
June next. To provide for the care of
he records aud for the performance of
he remaining business of the office,
senator Robinson introduced bill
which has passed the Senate, making
he Auditor of State the State land ,
egister, and bringing all the records
If the Surveyor Generals office into
he Auditors.
Herd law petitions and remon-
frances still pile up. but the rcmon-
frances preponderates. County legis-
alton on this subject must suffice for
'eriod longer. &
Price raid agitation is having more /,
ower this winter than for years be-
ore. Gov. Elders bill on this has been
avorably reported by the committee
n State affairs. 1t provides for the I