Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-01-25
Topeka, Has, Jan. "a. 1886

lOPEhA, me-, Jdli -. 1cc'.
70 the Editor OF the EAGLE.
Perhaps few jotting from the capita
may be of interest to your readers. We
have been in session now eight days, and
one may judge something of the character
of the legislation to be enacted the present
session. OF course nothing definite can b
known, only indications. / think no greal
amount of railroad legislation will be pu
through this session, except TO, perhaps, CIV
the railroad commissioners more power tc
enforce maximum rates on freight Every
one seems to concede that the commissioner
system is the correct one, and our commits.
siopers have been very fair, both to people
and railroads. There is, however, deter
mined purpose to compel railroad corpora
tions to fence their roads where they rur
through improved farms. A point at onc'
90 Just and reasonable that it not to be 0p
posed by anyone.
The judiciary viii be relieved, believe
from Supreme Court to District Court, eithe
by making more judicial districts or estab
fishing superior courts in some of the NOR
populous counties. A bill is introduced
giving the Governor power to appoint two
assistants to the Supreme CouIt Judges fol
their temporary relief until an amendment
can be passed tor their temporary relief.
The several state and charitable institu
tions are almost without exception asking
increased appropriations and it will be {
matter of great moment for conscientious
member to take the happy medium ground
between niggardly stinginess and lavish ex-
penditure. feel that there are hard times
for the average Kansas taxpayer and we
can well afford to hold the purse strings q
little tight for the next two years at least
In regard 10 resubmission of the prohibi.
tory amendment, the Sedgwick county dele.
gaton will do all in their power to bring
about that result, believing honestly that il
is the best thing to be done. But the people
of Sedgwick county must not be greatly
surprised if we fail in that desired end, al
the sentiment is strongly against such an aci
and 10 get two-third vote in both houses,
next TO impossible. A constitutional con-
vention will doubtless be called as soon Is il
can legally be done. Many think the pco-
pie cannot vote on the question Of calling
such a convention until 1855, when the SEN
ators and representatives are both elected,
and in case it is called at that time the Few
constitution could not go until it would be
ratified by the people in 1890, so we may rs
we'll come TO the conclusion that the old
constitution has got to do us for six ycars
more, and obtain what temporal relief We
need by four or FIVE amendments.
This morning a host Of petitions were pre-
sented from nearly every part of the state
asking for the payment of Price raid claims,
such petitions containing from one hundred
to one thousand names. This would take
another 100000 with small prospects Of
congress ever re-imbursing the state for this
outlay. L would make great difference in
the vote on this question could it be shown
that large part of these claims were held
BY the original sufferers. Other important
measures will doubtless comeu concerning
which l viii make mention in a future let
ter.
Our new governor and state officers take
their places and assume their duties with
such ease and familiarity that one would
suppose they had long been accustomed to
such duties, and predict that at the close OF
their respective terms, the manner in which
their duties will be performed will prove
that the people last November were wise in
making their choice.
In conclusion | would say that Mr.. Kelly,
Mr.. Hatfield and myself stand ready at any
and all times to be of service to anyone in
Sedgwick county who may desire such serv-
ices. Yours truly,
r. Z LAWRENCE.