The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-01-17

1887. 1t will be remembered that a
weekly payment bill passed the house
in the last legislature, and only failed
in the senate for want of time to con-
slider it. The legislature of Connecti-
cut has enacted such a law, and the
testimony of those in position to know
is to the effect that the law is well re-
ceived and respected by all parties
concerned and generally approved by
public opinion.
INTEREST REDUCTION.
4th. Legislation was promised re-
ducing the legal rate of interest upon
money to six per cent. per annum, re-
ducing the maximum contract rate to
ten per cent, prohibiting usury, and
providing penalties for violations
thereof: and this promise trust may
be promptly enacted into law.
The present statute regulating the
rate for use OF money was enacted
years ago. Since then all the condi-
tions have changed which naturally
determine the rate OF interest between
parties, viz, the security, the hazard
the supply and demand, so that the
rates of interest in bank discounts
and commercial circles generally, have
been very greatly reduced. There
seems to be good reason for the propos-
ed and promised legislation. The
present statute practically imposes no
penalty for contracting in excess of the
maximum rate; simply declaring that
the excess shall not be collectable in
the courts. The usual and proper pen
atty is the forfeiture OF all interest.
This the new proposed act should en-
body. While the principle of usury
laws has been much debated, the prac-
teal wisdom of them seems
to be will attested by observ alton.
They are not Objectionable to
legitimate bankers and business people
generally, operating within strictly
commercial circles, and the necessity
for their existence is the protection of
the more unfortunate and imprOvident
against the cupidity of those who
would take advantage of their distress
TRUSTS.
5th. Another promise was legisla-
ton, in so far as the state may legis-
late on the subject, hostile to so-called
trusts" or combinations, especially
such as seek to mOnOpoliZe food sup
plies, fix prices by controlling prOduc-
ton and eliminating competition. The
packing-house combine" to drive out
all other butchers and control the cat
tie market, is denounced as especially
Odious, as it seriously affects one of the
most extensive of Kansas industries.
the cattle business, robbing the pro-
Queer and consumer of meat at the
same time. 1t has come to my notice
recently that some of the cities of Kan
sas are seeking to resist the encroach-
ments of tue dressed meat monopoly,
by enacting ordinances requiring all
beef to be inspected on foot by city
inspector before being put on sale in
such city. This would seem to be
ingenious, and il is hoped will be eff
fective, If the power of the city in such
case is beyond question. If it be not, the
legislature should make haste to con-
fer 1t fully, and do whatever else it
may in the line of legislation against
trusts and combinations of that charac
ter.
These so-called trusts aIe an excres-
cent growth of the AEGEAN ill-begotten
child of avarice and mendacity, ex,
| hibiting in its most obnoxious form
| that lust for gain, regardless of the
rights and interests of the people, toe
often seen in lesser degree whenever
| capital is organized and welded in mas
SEES. The enactment of such laws by
| you as shall even measurably contrO
or repress these evils will be an Occa-
sion for the most sincere congratula
ton.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.
| 9Th. To eX-union soldiers and sail
ors of Kansas the assurance was giveI
that the party in power in the state
should continue to provide literally fol
the maintenance of the Soldiers
Orphans Home, and use its influence
to carry out their wishes in regard tC
pensions, as expressed in the resolu-
tions on the subject passed in the state
and national encampments of the
Grand Army of the Republic. To make
| rVNnA tho frat nrnnni0n hnrniVa II UyiI
only be necessary to continue the pas
generous policy of the state in behalf o.
orphans of soldiers. AS to the second
you cannot do more nor less than II
earnestly memorabilia congress, sOoI
to pass into the control of a majority
in full sympathy with union soldiers
and willing to do them long delayed
justice.
COST OF MOVING CROPS.
18th. 1t was promised that the boar
of railroad commissioners should pro
tect the farmers against excessive,
charges in the removal of crops. Thi
has been done, and an important re
duction in rates secured on corn TO
the supply of those portions of the
frontier where this cereal was paTtia
failure the past season, Further re
ference to the gratifying reduction il
rates during recent years, fairly at
tributable to the efficient labors of tn
board, will be found under the head o
railroad regulation.
HOME AGAINST SALOON.
Sth. Protection of the home agains
the saloon was likewise promised
coupled with q demand for the com
plete execution of the prohibitory Law
in every part of the state. To thi
policy the state is fully committed, ant
public sentiment demands that Their
shall be no relaxation in the effort
enforce legislation already existing o.
that subject. If you can quicken tn
diligence and strengthen the hands O
those charged with the execution O
the law where it is not properly obsel
we'd, it is hoped you will not fail to d
so. The subject is alluded to else
where.
RIGHTS OF WOMEN.
9th. AllusiOn was approvingly mad
to legislation which has had tendenc
, to open the doors to wider fields {
usefulness for woman, with a declare
tion that the honest demands of an
: class of citizens for additional right
should receive respectful attention
| Perhaps no state has gone further tina
Kansas in extending enlarged legS
and political rights to women. l
some states, however, they have bee
by law admitted to membership o
state boards in control of certai
; benevolent institutions, with satii
\ factory results. A demand for simils
recognition here will doubtless /
/, pressed upon your attention, enforce
+ by persuasive arguments from whic
T you cannot escape, though you ma
a not be convinced. The subject is 81
q titled to you serious consideration.
I State Institutions.
EDUCATIONAL.
o commend to your careful conside
n alton the excellent report of the Stat
u Superintendent of Public instruction
d especially calling your attention to IL
: Recommendations of that officer in T
gard to various amendments suggests
for the purpose of enhancing the of
y cheney of our common schools. L al
8 note with pleasure the prosperous col
i dition of the three institutions of Il
:, state devoted to the higher educate
II of our young men and women-tl
l. ~