Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-04-19
Iook1Ne uP rHE REooRps.
Herald. April 3, 1890.

At this time, when the farmers Of the
country have at last awakened to a full
appreciation of the fact that they are
able to look after their own interests
and propose to do it, the records Of
men who have held, or are cow holding
positions in the public service, are be-
ing closely scanned for the purpose of
ascertaining whether these men have
shown disposition to treat the farmer
and his interests fairly and justly, or
whether, as has too often been the case,
they have fallen into the hands of the
corporations Immediately after their
election, if they were not spoken for"
before. This is right and just and IN
this way only can correct judgment
of men be formed. Promises for the
future have little weight when those
promises are in open conflict with the
actions of the men who make them;
but when a mans past record is right,
it is generally safe to assume that his
course in the future will be in the
right direction. At least it is, general
ly speaking, great deal safer to trust
a man who has been right in the past,
than one who has been wrong in the
past but is full of good promises for
the future. For the benefit of the pa
irons OF the Herald, who are mostly
farmers, we shall endeavor to assist
their efforts to ascertain who have been
their friends in the past and who have
not. The records are easy to come at.
For instance, we have before us copy
of the House Journal of 1885 session of
the Kansas Legislature. By referring
to the roster of members of the House
we find that Smith county was repre-
sented in that Legislature by Webb
McNall and J. G. Davenport. The only
further record we find of Mr.. Daven-
port is that he was counted ''absept and
not voting" on most of the measures
before the House, and was member of
the committee on Federal Relations.
On page 100 we find that Mr.. McNall
was made chairman of the Committee
on Railroads, by far the most import
ant committee in the house that year.
Following his course through the ses-
sion, as his actions affected the inter-
ests of the producing classes, We find
him in every instance opposed to the
corporations and in favor of the people.
The record is as follows:
House Journal, page 81: Mr.. McNall,
chairman of the Committee on Railroads,
submitted the following report:
Mr.. SPEAKER: Your Committee on Rail
roads, to whom was referred House bill No.
ia, An act relating to the liability of rail-
roads for damage by fire, have had the same
under consideration, and l am directed to
report the bill back to the House with the
recommendation that it be passed.
This law requires railroad companies
to pay full value for property destroyed
by fire started from locomotives, and
simplifes the procedure in favor of the
property owner.
House journal, page $50: Mr.. McNall, |
chairman of the COMMITTEE on Railroads,
submitted the following report:
Mr.. SPEAKER: Your Committee on Rail |
roads, to whom was referred House bills No. |
80, 81, 40 and 200, being acts requiring rail- !
roads to fence their roads, and fixing their |
FOL Har- hoA fba
alton, and l am directed to report the bills |
back to the House with the recommendation |
that the accompanying substitute be passed. |
The above refers to the law which |
was passed at this session requiring
railroad companies to fence their roads,
the first law of the kind upon our stat
ute books. Mr.. McNall originated and
championed this measure all the way
through, and was bitterly opposed by
the railroads. Under its provisions
railroad companies are required to
fence every mile of road in the state. |
House Journal, page 412: Mr.. McNall Of
fered the following resolution, and moved its |
adoption:
WHEREAS, The Board of Railroad Com !
missioners recently had a conference with /
the various traffic managers operating and |
doing business within the state, with a view |
of considering the propriety of a reduction
in rates of transportation and grain; and
WHEREAS, The conclusion reached by the |
Commissioners in this matter have not been /
made public; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Board of Railroad
Commissioners be and are hereby requested |
to report to this House their reasons, if any
exist, why a reduction upon the present grain
freight rates would not be advisable.
The resolution giving rise to debate, was
laid over under the rules.
On motion of Mr.. McNall the rules were
suspended, and the resolution was considered
and adopted.
House Journal, page 5S7:
Mr.. McNall, Chairman of Committe on
Railroads, for the minority of said commit
tee, submitted the following minority report:
Nh. SPEAKER: Your committee on rail-
roads, to whom was referred House Bill No.
1872, An act entitled San act to amend sec
tons 2, 10 and H. and repeating section of
chapter 124, of the session laws of 1888, be-
ing an act concerning railroads." have had
the same under consideration, and we djsa-
gree with the majority concerning said Oill.
The minority of the committee are of the
opinion that said bill should not pass for the
following reasons:
n q L