The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-02-21
PLUMB TO FELT.
Lieutenant Governor Felt Receives q
Glowing Letter from the Senator.
KANSAS PRUNING KNIFE !
The Ways and Means Committee Cuts
the Charitable Appropriation.
. PUNISHMENT FOX UsURY
Discussed by Grave Senator'S and Con-
tinusd to Night Session.

TOPEKA, Feb. 14.-In the senate
this morning a letter from Senator
Plumb to Lieutenant Governor A. J..
Felt, was read and spread upon the
Journal:
UNITED STATES SENATE,
WASHINGTON. d. c., Feb. 2. 1889. I p
Hon. A. ]. Felt, President OF the Senate, To-
peka, Kansas;
Ny DEAR SIR: When the legislature
honored me with u third election to q
seat in the senate of the United States,
determined TO embrace the earliest
opportunity of making formal acknowl-
edgment of its action. The pressure of
public duties has delayed the execution
Of that purpose.
If the senatorship we're to be regard
ed primarily as personal compliment
"a decoration To be worn rather than a
summons TO important duties to be dis
charged-I should still find abundant
cause for gratitude in the entire unan-
unity with which it was conferred. 1t
is, however, more fiattering to my pride
to believe that the choice of the legls-
lature was not made upon personal
grounds, or for purposes Of individual
distinction.
No public servant can have a more
potent incentive TO the faithful per-
Torrance OF his trust than the appre-
citation and approval of those whom he
Is called upon to serve. This apprecia-
ton and approval, 1t has been my good
fortune to receive, to degree beyond
my most ardent expectation, and 1
hold myself bound, as well from a
sense Of duty as by the promptings of
gratitude, to give assurance for the fu-
ture of undiminished zeal in behalf of
those great interests of our common
wealth which are Gear alike to me and
to those who sent me here.
Marvellous has been the measure of
our progress. in settlement, in the ex-
tension of arabic area, and in the vari-
GUS directions of material and indus
trial development, the advance in pOlit
ical methods and processes has been no
less striking. fractional and per-
Bonal controversies are no longer
the chief features of our
campaigns, but questions of
general concern and of great plth and
moment" are nationally discussed, de-
termined by the majority and accepted
by all with cheerful acquiesence. 1t
follows naturally that in such a politi-
cal atmosphere public servants are usu-
ally judged not upon sentiment or with
prejudice, but by the character and
value Of the service they are able to
render.
Nevertheless 1 should unduly mag
nifty myself il did not appreciate that
nv indebtedness is due rather to the
evident Partially of the people and
their representatives than to the result
OF calm and discriminating test of fit
ness and merit.
In addition to the personal gratifica-
ton which this repeated proof of favor
has brought me, is my pride in the con
stituency from whom my commission
comes. Amid trials and deprivations,
often confronted by conditions, dismal
and distressing in their character, the
earlier Kansans have CLING to their
faith in the future Of the state and
have lived to see it more than justified.
These pioneers have been strongly rein
forced from year to year, until now we
may boast nearly million and three
quarters OF people, self-reliant, hopeful,
courageous, q power in determining
political results. and a still greater
factor In the field Of material produc-
ton.
To represent such a people in the
senate of the United States quite fills
the measure of my ambition. / shall
strive to justify this renewal of their
confidence by renewed devotion to their
interests as people irrespective of poll
cal divisions as well as to what con.
ceive to be the highest interests of ouI
common county. Very truly yours,
p. b. PLUMB
The committee on ways and means
reported in favor of reducing the build.
ing appropriations asked for the imbe-
cile asylum. blind asylum and soldiers
and orphans home, and in favor OF
granting $4,000 for the industrial
school for girls, at Beloit.
The special order was two bills reQu-
latIng the interests on money and pun
ishing usury. These were discussed by
Senators Kimball and Mecham. and
the special order continued till the
night session.
In the house the morning was spent
by hearing petitions aud bills read, and
the consideration of appropriations fol
the Soldiers Orphans Home at Atchi.
son, which was recommended for pass
age, but reduced in amount.