Wichita eagle., 1889-03-05
SEDGWICK'S DELEGATION.
In the Legislature-Their Standing and
the Result of Their Labors-A
Worthy Representations


county and the leading city in the state
Sedgwick county and Wichita have
reason to be satisfied with the represen-
tation they have had. While Sedgwicl
county has frequently been represented
by very strong and capable men in the
legislature, taken as a whole, the present
delegation in point of ability, earnest
ness of energy and sincerity of purpose
will compare very favorably, not
only with any delegation Sedgwick
county ever sent to the Legislative
halls, but was in this legislature, the
recognized peer of any other county's
delegation. They were all constantly
alert to the best interests.of their constit-
uency and while in some instances some
or each of the delegations may have been
subjected to criticism, the gentlemen
were in each instance guided by motives
actuated by desire to afford ultimately
the most beneficial results to the material
welfare of the people they represent.
In this connection it will be pardon
able for the EAGLE to make special men,
ton of the very energetic and successful
efforts of Hon. Geo. L. Douglas as chair
man of the Judiciary committe, the most
important and arduous position in either
branch of the legislature.
And what we shall of Mr.. Douglas, will
not be to detract in the least from the
earnest and efficient efforts Of the other
members of our delegation, each of
whom. as we said, discharged well his
respective duties.
Mr.. Douglas was new man in the
political arena of Kansas and some who
did not know the man were in state of
expectancy as to his career as chairman
of the Judiciary committee. He pleased
not only his acquaintance, but surpris-
ed those to whom he was comparatively
unknown. His record and his motives
as a representative sof the people have
been frequently and villianously
assailed by Jackals of one
type or another, but he is above
and beyond such demagoguery as has
been hurled at him. 1t is claimed that
he favored certain lines Of legislation and
exerted himself to legislate against work
ing men, when the fact is. that he was
the author Of the legislation most bene-
fetal for laboring classes, which was
presented at this session. We refer to
the mechanics lien law, which became a
law and the bill which gave a mortgage
the privilege of paying up interest on a
,SA,.frr
renewed as will be more clearly under
stood by a special reference to the same.
Senator O. II. Bentley has been as
sailed in about the manner as has NIr.
Douglass but no more deserved it than
that gentleman.
Senator Bentley was chairman of the
very important committee of cities of
the first-class and also on the big COM
mittee on Judiciary. He was particu-
larly active and successful in pushing
the bills which interested his con-
stiuency and would in his opinion result
in the most good to Sedgwick county
and Wichita. Notable among these
were the sewer condemnation bill,
the sewer scrip bill, the court
bill, school bill for Wichita.
He also prepared and introduced bill
doing away with the charge for excess
railway fare where a passenger fails to
purchase ticket before getting on the
train. This, however, did not become
law because the committee to which it
was referred failed to report favorably.
He introduced bill to increase salaries
of keepers of the poor, but it failed in the
house because representatives of other
counties than Sedgwick Whose delega-
ton favored it opposed the same An
other bill introduced by Mr.. Bentley was
for the purpose of determining whether
or not judgments are to be considered as
liens on homesteads.
Mr.. Bentley in connection with the
house delegation, introduced several i'm
portant measures simultaneously with
his colleagues in that body. OF all the
legislation urged by Sedgwick county
and Wichita all was procured except one
or two minor matters, but the success of
Sedgwick's delegation is superior TO the
success attained by any other counties
representation.
As TO the work in the house; Mr.. Doug
las introduced the house joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the constitu-
ton extending the length of future leg
islatures at ninety instead of fifty days.
1t also is TO make the session begin first
Tuesday in December, but it does not
change the per diem of the members.
This bill passed both houses and became
law.
The mechanics lien bill reported from
the Judiciary committee was the work of
Mr.. Douglas. 1t became law. This
law straightenes out the kinks in the ex-
listing law and also extends protection TO
the laborer or mechanic, who works on
building, as well as TO the contractor and
sub-contractor, who are the ones at pres
ent protected
A bill for the protection Of children
was another of Mr.. Douglas bills, and
was prepared and introduced by him at
the instance of the Humane Society of
this city. II is modelled after the law
passed by congress four years ago.
which was also drawn by Mr.. Douglas.
when he was chairman of the legislative