The Leavenworth weekly times., 1879-02-27
Correspondence Of THE TIMEs.l

Vow comes the heavy work OF this Legis
lature-legislative action upon those two
subjects about which the minds Of The peo
pie Of Kansas are so generally and various
Iy exercised -Bailrosd Nanag ment and
Temperance.
The teetotal element have formulated
their views in a bill which proposes TO
leave existing dram shop statutes in force,
with the provisO in reference 10 cities Of the
first and second classes 20 amended "a to
require two-thirds OF all the inhabitants
male and female Of such cities 10 petition
for saloon or Gram-shop before the same
can be licensed. The bill was introduced
in the Senate. and that body have had the
same under discussion in committee OF the
whole since yesterday morning.
Senator Gilpatrick, Of LeayenwoItb, Bu-
chan, Of WyandOtte, Williams, OF DOni-
phan, and Myers, OF Jefferson, are strenu-
ouslv opposing the measure. They are
making a hard fight on it, particularly
Gilpatrick and BuChan. Senator Eyans,
though not taking an active part in the
discussion, Is understood 10 be in favor OF
the measure. Il il probable, from the
| present ouiio0E, that the Senate will pass
| The bill without material amendments, ard
| that the closing out vote viii be reached
/ to-day. The t=etotal element appears 10
| he r-la lively stronger IN the House than n
| tla Senate. Should the b.ll in ifs present
| shane get through tie Senate. 1t Will prob
| sb'v ca-rv in the House w5 little diff
culfv, and Of course the Governor Will aP-
/ prove.
While the S nate is thus wrestling with
the yexed moral and political problems OF
the drsm-shcp hu-iBess, the House Il hard
at work upon ihe Railroad bill introduced
by Mr.. Riggs.
This bill provides that board Of three
commissioners within twenty days after the
act takes effect be appointed By the Gov
| ernor. These commissioners shall hold
tn ir Office two years, unless sooner remoY-
ed. Their salary shall be 5000 per an
mum each, ard they may have secretary
at 81 500 per snnum.
This board should have a general super
visory power over all the railroads oil the
State. They should fix a Just and fair rate
OF charges and tariffs upon railroad trans
portstion, and to that end are empowered
to obtain from the railroad corpora ions all
the data necessary TO enable them so 10 do.
They shall have power TO prosecute any
railroad, or railroad employe, for a viola
tion Of any lrw Of the State or any provis-
Ion Of their charter. In fne, they shall do
sll that may be Necessary TO protect the
people against the exiortions and the verl-
Gus oppressive features Of railroad manage.
ment OF which there is now SO much COM
plant.
The bill further provides that the rail-
road rates and charges shall be uniform,
and that there shall be no difference IN
rates between local and terminal points; (;
and that no shipping point shall have the
ADVANCE of lower rates because OF Its being
competitive point.
The above il but a mere outline OF this
bill. 1t was prepared By Mr.. Rigg, one OF
the foremost lawyers OF the Stste All Its
most important provisions were borrowed
from railroad statutes now in force IN the
States OF Massachusetts,, Illinois, Iowa and
Missouri. After much careful examination
it was fayorably reported by the House
committee on railroads. 1t is understood
that it has the general sanction Of the mem
bers favorable to railroad leg Station who
have given it consideration in csuc1s.
The bill meets with strong opposition.
Opposition from western members, who
thinks it discriminstes against them, and
: who have tsen made to- believe that Its
passage would be a death blow to all fur
ther railrosd building in their counties.
II is opposed BY members who think the
Legislature should agree upon schedule
OF rates ior passenger and freight transpor'
tation, and enforce its adoption by the COM
panies rather than leave the matter to
commissioners VIE may be Influenced by
, political or venal considerations. Ii IL ar
!. gaed that mission with so much power
: conferred upon them would be an unsafe
!. a Commuuistic saH air.
nI The o1s,.hssdwDI railroad lobby rsev npsnst havt
: control of all the city newspapers
:, The saloons. hotels and barber shops are
e KEEP, in daily supply of tracts, pamphlet.
and the like, denouncing the House bill
: under consideration and its supporters
They are present in formidable array II
the House, whenever the bill IL under dis
q q cussiou. Their policy is to be let entirely
u slone. They want no legislation and there
will be none if they can help it.
Mr.. Legate AMI Mr.. Biddle lead of the
opposition in the House. james has bii
OF his OWE. 1t simply provides schedu!'
of rates and fares, very liberal 10 the rail-
o roads, and the penalties fixed for violation
}, of the act or any Of its provisions, are OF
j the same scale as those fixed in a common
SUNDAY or day law. Il is not wise, OF
Ingenious measure, "a even Mr. Legste him
= self would, under favorable Circumstance,
- be free TO admit.
l. think that the Riggs bill is on tn
whole the best and most judicious plan o
!, railroad regulation that We can devise, AM
y have so conterded On the floor OF tn
House Against the present strong pres
sure of adverse sentiment and interests
= may not prevail. II If should fail, the
y goodbye to all further railroad Legislation
l. this session. !. 4. B.
=, '--3