The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1883-01-11

ON.Mouday afternoon eeventy-three
member of the House Of Represents
iives Of our Legislature assembled IN
caucus. for the purpose Of cbnsiue
their officers sud transacting other
business. After some discussion ~ to
phraseology. the following preamble.
offered by Hon. A. p. Collions. ofthis
county, and resolution, introduced by
Representative Butterfield. Of Marien
county, were adopted:
We, the Republican members Of the
incoming. Legislature, now in caucus
assembled, recognizing the justice OF
the demand that the relations between
the people and the common carriers
he distinctly defined by statutory law.
and that no feeling of uncertainty may
be entertained BY any person present,
and to the end that harmony may
prevail In our midst; therefore
Resolved, That recognizing the sub
ject Of railroad legislation a one Of the
most important to he presented ct this
session of the Legislature, and be-
lieving that our constituents demand
at our hands the passage Of fair and
equitable law. regulating freights and
fares, we hereby affirm, individually
and collectively, that we will support
no man for speaker who does not give
to this caucus satisfactory assurance
that he will SO frame the committee on
railroads a. will give the advocates OF
railroad legislation full majority OF
said committee.
Col. }. ID. Snoddy was made the can
didate Of the caucus for Speaker. In
the course of his remarks. acknowl-
edging the honor, he srid:
Upon the question Of railway legis.
lation il will be any pleasure. rs 1t will
be my duty, Ia sd act that We Will
secure Just, fair, equitable and effective
railway legislation / want no child's
play about this matter. II il clearly
within the constitutional power of the
state to SO Iegislate in reference to
railway and all other corporations, as
TO redress the grievances Of which the
people complain, snd prevent = repe-
tition Of the Outrages upon the rights
of the people which have been prsc-
ticed iu the past There Is nOquesiiOn
Of the pouer to correct the abuses, and
there can be no doubt of its being our
duty to proceed earnestly and dill
gently to the exercise of that power.
Representative Orner. Of Barton,
was chosen Speaker pro tenn. The
organization was them pro-
vided for rs follows: Temporary
]. J. A T. Dixon temporary
clerks, w. W Walton and J. Ware
WIN. Higgins was nom-
mated by reclamation for Sergeant-at-
Arms, and Webb McNall for Assistant
Thus the Republi-
can party, so far as IL Is represented In
the Legislature, is committed unqual-
ifiedly in favor Of railroad legislation.
The members have gone TO work In
the right spirit. and, seemingly, with
out any disposition 70 evade direct
issue forced upon them by the people.
Committed rs the party now is
20 relieve the burdens Of the
people, We believe that something
must be accomplished, and that
will add to the party's
strength for the future Whether all |
hat has been said and done by the
members in caucus are |
follow words, or are mere promises,
eInains to be proven by the acts of
he Legislature in the next few weeks.
The fidelity Of seventy.three Republic
an members to the interests of the
'cople has thus been pledged. Will
hey keep their faith