Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-12-29
KANSAS STATE NEWS.

discuss and unite upon some plan Of action In
regard to legislation this winter regulating
raiiroai charges. There were present Repre-
sentatives j. w. Dunsmore, of Neosho Coun-
w MAX Buck and c. Sweezy, of Usage; A. c.
Merritt, OF Pottawotomie; G. W. Martin, of
laws; w. w. Scott, of Lyon; W. H. Carter,
OF chase; j. w. Butterfeld, of Marion; j. r.
burton and c. B. Hoffman, of Dickinson; w.
W. walton, OF Clay; T. w. Sturgis, of Cloud;
Z. n. Stearns aud A. p. Collins, of Saline; j.
M. simpson, OF McPherson; L. Hersigg of
Ellsworth; j. j. A. Dixon, of Russell; F.
Cnariesworth and j. H. Kyle, of Mitchell; j.
b. Grange, of Osborn; NJ F. Knappenberger,
OF Jewell; j. d. Snoddy, Of Linn, and Sena-
tors Greene and Anderson. j. j. A. T.
Dixon, Of Russell County, was chosen
to act as chairman, and upon motion of
Mr.. Martin it was agreed that what is known
as the Ware Railroad bill should be considered
by sections. The bill was read Mr.. Snoddy
thought that section three ought to be so
amended as to make railroads common car
riers. Mr. Knappenberger said that he would
object to Railroad Commissioners being ap-
pointed by the Governor; he preferred that the
Legislature or the people should elect them.
MFR. Walton wanted to know why these Com
missioners should be elected by the Executive
Council. Mr.. Bnrton thought the Com
missioners ought to be appointed
by the Governor, by and with
the consent of the Senate. Political conven-
tions for the nomination of candidates for
Commissioners would be more likely to be
controlled by the railroads than would the
Governor and forty State Senators. The Gov.
ernor and the Senate could be held RESPONSE
BILE, but the Conventions of political parties
could not. II the people cannot trust the
Governor and the Senate on their oaths they
cannot trust political Conventions. Mr.. Snod-
dy thought the people were capable of taking
care of their interests, and he believed 1t
would be safe to elect the Commissioners.
Mr.. Sweezy was opposed to the Commissioner
system and thought that the power to
enforce the law should be placed in the hands
Of the Attorney General and County At
torneys. Mr.. Hoffman said that owing to the
fact that the railroad business is SO complex
the best method Of enforcing the law was by
the Commissioner system. Such he believed
to be the experience of sevelal STATES. Mr..
Carter said that railroads ought to be governed
by their charters. Mr.. Sweezy wanted to
know whether railroad bill was to be adopted
for the benefit of the railroads or the people,
why should the railroads be asked TO pay the
salaries Of commissioners! Why should not
the people bear portion of the expensesl He
thought law should be enacted that will be
to the mutual interests of the people and the
railroads. Mr.. Walton was in favor of choos-
ing Commissioners by special election by the
people. Mr.. Collins favored electing them by the
Legislature Mr.. Dunsmore thought that the
lox In 80 H.
enforced by special agents, but by the officers
and tribunals of the State. He believed the
people should have the right to go into the
courts for redress of grievances committed
by the railroad corporations. He believed
that rates should be proportional to the net
earnings of the roads. Mr.. Burton believed
that the Commissioners ought to he empow-
cred to fix rates, redress wrongs, and enforce
the law, and he thought the railroads ought to
pay the expenses, because their own
acts required such a law. At the
evening session the consideration Of the Ware
bill was resumed. Mr. Martin thought the
Commissioners ought to be confirmed by the
Senate, not by the Executive Council, and
5000 salary to each was enough. Mr.. Bur.
ton thought 5000 a fair compensation for
the talent required. Mr. Hoffman said that
section twelve was too loose. The Board
should classify and fix the rates. Mr. Martin
said retired railroad man told him that the
railroads were conducted as steals, not on fair
principles. Mr.. Burton said the clause re-
quiring companies to furnish cars when in
their power should be stricken out and insert
"shall furnish cars" Mr.. Walton thought
ahe Board should decide whether the road
could furnish cars. Mr.. Snoddv said
the roads should do so-no could
about it. A committee of five was
appointed on business, and the convention
adjourned for the day.. Upon assembling
next morning, after discussion, the general
expression was in favor of the Ware bill, or O
similar one. The Business Committee pre-
sented report, recommending that a commit
tee of nineteen members be appointed to
gather data and proofs Of extortionate charges
and determinations on the part of railroads,
one be appointed to correspond with members
in regard to railroad legislation. The report
was adopted, and Messrs. Turner, Herzig.
Hoffman, Greene, Charlesworth, Ryan, Wal
ton, Knappenberger, Reeves, Butterworth,
Ware, Waters, Elder, Crane, Mitchell, Sweezy.
Rush and Russell appointed. Mr.. Burton was
appointed the committee on correspondence.
A committee to prepare an address to the peo
pie of Kansas was appointed, and the Conven.
ton adjourned to meet in Topeka January
5th, 1888.
The Senate last week confirmed the follow
ing Kansas Postmasters: VIM. Reinhard,
Abilene; John L. Brown, Wamego; John L.
Harris, Pleasanton; Charles H. Kurtz, Au-
gusta; Mrs. Clara l.. Nichols, Fort Leaven-
worth.
John Dwyer, a brakeman on the Missouri
Pacific, while setting a brake at Pomeroy, had
his ankle so badly crushed as to require ampu.
tation of the leg.
1.-TWO of the Boys" wrote to a Kansas CITY
paper about the rascally exploits Of a fellow
drummer in Kansas, and calling upon the press
to expose him and wipe out the stain upon the
drummer profession" but they were too
modest to give the fellows name and there
fore left the reader to believe that any drum
mer met might possibly be that infamous
rascal."
The Right-ofwsy Commissioners are con-
demning land in Wabaunsee County on the
line of the Topeka, Salina and Western Rail-
way.