The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-02-28
LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY
MONDAY, FEB. "a.

In the senate, the judiciary committee
reported, in accordance with a resolution
directing them to ascertain the constitu-
uonality of the act relating to the organ
iZation of the new counties in the west
ern part the state, that ii was uncOnstitu-
tiOnal. The committee on counties and
county lines was instructed TO prepare u
bill to remedy the uncertainties OF the
act. Seven bills were introduced. -Four
senate bills were passed, among them the
one reviving the death penalty. In com
mittee of the whole, The hill 10 provide
for the erection and completion Of the
west wing of the state capitol. The bill
was amended SO that no bonds are to be
issued, but appropriates S60,OO0 from the
STATE treasury, and orders the levy of
one-half ofOne mill tax during the years
1879 and 1880, TO provide the balance of
the funds needed. The report was agreed
TO in the senate.
In the house several petitions were
presented and referred TO appropriate
committees. Eleven bills were lntroduc-
ed, read first and second times and refer
red. Mr.. Biddle introduced II. B. 800,
an act regulating rates offare and freight
on railroads, establishing rules TO regu-
late the same, and to provide for the pun
ishment of violation of the provisions
D. ID ~, al dSl dlD-
preparation to reimburse certain persons
for expenditures made in the selection
of indemnity school lands, was passed.
Also substitute S. B. Z, an act making APP
preparations to furnish the Topeka in
sane asylum. and to provide for the cur
rent expenses thereof during the fraction
al portion of the fiscal year ending June
80, 1879. Several bills on third reading
on the calendar were passed. The motion
of Mr.. Humes, made last Saturday, to
lay the motion of Mr.. Legate to recOnsid-
er the vote by which IL. B. 229, 1.-THE Riggs
railroad billy was defeated, ON the table
prevailed by a vote of SIS to 80. This
means defeat of the bill for this session.
TUESDAY, FEB. 81.
In the senate, the house amendment
which strikes out $500 for the item OF
sewerage in senate bill 7, the Topeka in.
sane asylum appropriation bill, and in
seTts 81 600 in its stead, was concurred in
A bill was passed which provides that
the counties in which criminal prosecu
tons are instituted, shall pay the costs
made by the state and defendant, if they
cannot be collected from the prosecuting
witness or defendant The bill means
to reach the cases in magistrates courts
as well as those in district courts. The
costs of witnesses and constables are in
cluded. Three bills were introduced
Substitute for S. B. 90, an act to author
ize and provide for the erection and
completion of the west wing of the state
house, making an appropriation therefor
and to provide for special levy of tax
was passed. In committee OF the whole
a number of bills were considered. A bill
providing that the money derived from
the sale of the state Normal school lands
and the depOsiting of the same in the
state treasury, to be drawn against by
| the state auditor, was indefinitely
postponed. Also bill to re
appOrtiOn the state for senators
| which proposes to allow but one senator
from the counties of Douglas and Atchi
son, and to create the thirty-ninth anC
fOrtieth districts, in the Southwestern
and northwestern part of the state.
bill proposing the reduction of Interest
when lands have been sold for taxes
from so to "a per centum, was recon
mended for passage. A bill authorizing
the appointment of stenographers for the
district courts of the state, was recon
mended for passage.
In the house four petitions We're pre-
scented and two bills were introduced
the petitions and bills referred to ap
propriate committees. A communities
ton from the attorney general, being thu
opinion of that officer on the question o
the right of the State to convey to ex
Governor S. J. Crawford certain lands il
satisfaction of claim for certain ser
vices rendered the State under contract
in procuring for the State, from the Unit
ed States, certain lands for the benefit o
the school fund of the State, was order
ed printed and referred to the committee
on ways and means. The report is ad
verse TO the payment. A resolution wa
ordered providing that the house shall
proceed with the revision of the laws a
the present session of the legislature
that by reason of the failure of the com
missionerS 10 revise the laws they hav,
subjected themselves to the censurc q
the house and the people of Kansas, ant
calling upon the commissioners to sui
render their commissions, and return al
moneys drawn for services as such com
missioners. II. b. 80, an act to fix tn
salary of county treasurers, and substi
tute for II. B. so, an act supplemental t
art entitled ian act to authorize proceed
ings in justices courts against garI
ishes," chapter 1853, laws of 1879, pre-
viding the manner of service in certain
cases, were passed. H. B. 90, an act t
repeal chapter &c, laws of 1872, relatin
to the sale of property without appraist
ment, was defeated, the vote on its pass
, age 80 years, ~ nays. The house &C
; opted the majority report of the commit
tee on elections, awarding the seat of tn
, seventy-sIxth representative district I
? the sitting member, r. B. Spillman, an
also the special report allowing the col
testant, Allen, mileage and per diem
: date. s. B. 1853, an act to enable Don
, phan county to take up and refund il
railroad bonded indebtedness, was pas
ed. Three bills were introduced, rea
, first and second time, and referred to al
, propriate committees.