Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-02-19
KANSAS LEGISLATURE.

| TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. 16.-There were
quite number of House bills read fo1
the first time in the Senate Saturday
morning.
The Judiciary Committee reported
favorably on Mr.. Buchan's bill creating
a superior court for Wyandotte County,
after amending it slightly. This bill
will be taken up for consideration at an
early day.
At II o'clock the Senate resolved
| itself into a Committee of the Whole
for the purpose of considering the bill
making appropriations for the execu-
tive and judicial departments of the
State. The bill was considered by sec
tions and some minor amendments
were made.
Pending further consideration of the
bill Mr.. Rush offered a resolution,
which was adopted, to the effect that
out of respect for the death of Admiral
David D. Porter, the American flag be
draped in mourning and placed at half
mast over the Senate: a committee be
appointed to draft appropriate resolu-
tions, and that the Senate adjourn until
10 a m. Monday out of respect to the
dead Admiral
Intelligence having been received Of
the death of General William T. Sher-
man, the Senators remaining in the
city, under the guidance of President
pro tenn. Harkness, repaired to the Sen
ate chamber, where they were inform
ally called to order by that officer, and
after having heard read communica-
ton from the executive council of State
setting forth the facts of the death of
General Sherman and asking that ap-
propriate resolutions be drawn, such
action was taken. Senators Kelly (of
McPherson), Woodward and Martin
were appointed as a special committee
to draft the resolutions.
1t was taken as the sense of the Sem
ators assembled that the Senate adjourn
on the day General Sherman was to be
buried.
THE HOUSE.
TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. 16.-The commit
tee to investigate the Hutchinson re-
formatory reported Saturday morning
favoring temporary change of the re-
formatory into an insane asylum.
The bribery bill, by Douglass, of
Sedgwick, mention of which has been
repeatedly made, was taken up on third
reading. The bill provoked much dis
cussion.
After recess a resolution deplOring
the death of General sherman, order
ing that the House adjourn on the day
of his funeral and calling for commit
tee of five to draft suitable resolutions,
was adopted. The Speaker appointed
as such committee Messrs. Hopkins,
Tucker, Showalter, Newman and jack
son.
The rest of the afternoon was taken
up in consideration of local bills.
Tne Legislative Halls Draped in Mourning
Bills Advanced on the Calendar Relief
For Western Farmers.
TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. 1.-THE legis-
lative halls were draped in mourning
yesterday. Most Of the members wore
badges and suitable resolutions were
adopted in the houses. OF the 125 men,
bers of the lower house AZ were SOL
diers in the Union army and about so
of them served under General Sherman
at different times.
The Commit tee on Ways and Means
reported a substitute for the bill to ap-
propriate $3.50, 900 to provide seed grain
for the destitute farmers of the west
ern counties. The bill creates a State
board of aid commissioners, to be COM
posed of the Railroad Commissioners
and the president and secretary of
the State Board of Agriculture,
9f-n 4n hnr f,,11 Il, e ! d
trlbution of the grain. The county
commissioners are to have immediate
charge of the distribution and are to be
severely punished by fine and impris-
onment if found guilty of conniving in
any fraud or knowingly furnishing
grain to those who are not in need.
Each applicant for aid must furnish a
list, under oath, of the amount of grain
he has on hand, the amount needed, the
number of stock and teams he owns
and the number of acres of grain he
proposes to sow.
The committee recommends that the
appropriation be reduced to $50, 600.
This met with a great deal of opposi-
ton from members from the western
part of the State, who wanted a large
appropriation, but the substitute bill
passed with little opposition.
Mr.. Rice, of Bourbon, moved that the
following bills be advanced on the cal
endar. The motion carried and the |
bills will be considered this week.
An act to establish the salaries of |
State officers, their assistants, clerks,
judges and officers of the Legislature.
An act fixing the fees and salaries of |
certain officers and persons therein
named.
An act to provide joint rates over con-
Meeting lines of railroads in Kansas.
An act to establish State printing
office, and to repeal chapter 1O3 of the
laws of 1885, relating to the
office of State Printer.
Substitute for House bill No. AIS, an
act in relation to State officers and de-
Dartments and the administration Of
State affairs.
An act providing for board Of pub
ic works, and defining its duties, pro-
riding penalties for the violation of the
provisions of this act, and repeating
certain acts.
Joint resolution for the submission
# the proposition to amend article 10
If the Constitution of the State of Kan
as, relatingto public printing.
The bill by Brown, of Harvey, to
provide for the appraisement of property
old under execution issuing out of
Justices courts.
These are the most important bills
low before the House and the members
"a aarar 70 bara than oO1sidarad ne |