The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-01-11
THE INooNINo LEgIsLATURE.

Upon the incoming legislature, Whicn
convenes ut Topeka on the 9,h. will de-
volve duties which are of the greatest
importance to the interests of the state,
and the members of that body should
come together with the determination
to accomplish with tAe greatest dis
patch consistent with prudent and ju-
dicious action, the work before It, The
election Of a United States senator to
succeed P. B. Plumb will be one of the
most important acts of the legislature.
There is no valid reason why this mat
Ter should consume much time. or in
yolYe any difficulty 10 us settlement
The sentiment of the people through
out the state is almost unanimous IN ia
vor OF the return TO the senate OF the
gentleman who has served The interests
Of Kans IS so well Tor the past five years.
and il the Representatives of the people
carry out at Topeks the wishes of their
constituents, the SENATORIAL question
will prove one easy OF solution and will
occupy bat little of the time which will
be demanded ty other business.
The question or congressional appor-
tionment will be one of interest TO the
people and is likely to the source Of
not little discussion Several schemes
have already been submitted by the
newspapers Notwithstanding the state,
some oE.~hfch are entitled 10 favorable
consideration The paramount object
of the legislature in accomplishing this
work should be not TO snbscrve the per-
sonal ends of present or possible can
didates for seats in the national legisla-
ture, but - unite in the several districts
those counties which are bound together
by a community of interest, and to Sc
cure as far Us practicable the most con-
venient geographical arrangement.
There has been not little talk con.
corning rss1bmlssion, by the legisla-
ture, of the p-ohibitory amendment , a
vote of the people Without pausing TO
consider the wisdom of this step, we are
free 10 say that we do not believe that it
would devel ~ any evidences of change
IN popular sentiment ON the great social
problem which has attracted 81 much
attention in Kansas for the past few
years. We believe thai the majority of
the people in tais state favor the policy
of prohibition, the result Of the recent
st,t election 10 the contrary nctwith-
standing. The temperance amendment
was adopted by fair majority of the
voters Of Kansas, and the general out
come of the experiment of prohibition
in this state has not been oil character
to cause the people u alter their opinion
concerning The beneiceuce or feasibility
of this method of suppressing the liquor
traffic.
The pressing demand for proper rail
road Legislation at the approaching ses
sion of the legislature is so apparent
that this duty cannot be safely ignored
by that body, and measures will doubt
less be taken in the direction of regu-
lating the abuses which have been
charged and proven against the carry
ing corporations OF the state. There
has been free and thorough discussion
has been manifested on the part OF tue
press and the people to AXE a conserva-
tive course in this matter which VIII do
justice To the railroads, but which will
at the same time protect the public.
The legislature should do nothing more
than this and i, can do nothing less.
The railroads, ON the oth, r
hand, will find it greatly
to their advantage t. ac-
quiesce in this movement rather than
seek to oppose il either by overt hosil,-
ity or by steaithv employment of iie
,"sineys of war" The Peep e have maaie
up their minds that they are the sover-
elgus of Kansas. and they are stronger
than any force which can be arrayt d
against them They expect good thiI g
of the incoming legislature, and t
should be the object of that body to 81
that they are not disappointed.