The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-03
COUNCIL.

GUTHRIE, O. T., feb. = special. line
council met this morning at $50 o'clock.
On motion of Mr.. Ross the council went
into committee Of the whole for the con-
sideration of council bill No. So, an act de-
fning the duties Of county commissioners.
A good deal of discussion was had as to
the number of days the several boards OF
commissioners should be allowed to sit.
Mr. Pulliam thought that ninety-six
days in the year was little enough, as the
aggregate of both regular and special ses-
sions. while Mr.. Lane favored seventy-six
days as such possible aggregate.
Mr.. Clevinger thought there should be a
graded limit, the time depending either on
the population or the assessed valuation
of the several counties. He thought the
limit advocated by most members was too
small for counties as pOpulous as Logan
and Oklahoma. On the other hand, there
were some counties in which all the busi-
ness properly coming before the commits
sioners could be transacted in fifteen
minutes.
Mr.. Pitman inquired of Mr.. Clevinger if
it was not probable that in some of the
counties the interests of the people would
be best subserved if their commissioners
would stay at home during the entire
gear.
Mr.. Clevinger was inclined to the affirm
Rtive of that proposition.
An amendment based upon Mr.. Clev-
inger's suggestion was incorporated in the
bill, and, after the adoption OF sundry
other amendments, the committee rose
and recommended that the bill as amend
ed be passed.
Mr.. Fegan then called for the reading of
she resolution directing that no measure
lrrOE tn ia M d.
ing be considered till after the tenth day
preceding the adjournment OF the legs-
lature. The consideration Of the resolu-
zion went over for one day, on notice by
Nr. PitmRn that he wished TO discuss it.
On motion of Mr.. Lane the rules were
suspended, bill No. So was considered en-
crossed, read third time and passed.
The council then went into committee
Of the whole for the consideration of bill
No. 81, being an act establishing the fees
of public officers. The next long discus
sion came up in considering the per diem
of county commissioners, and particularly
that relating to called sessions.
In order TO reduce the number of days
that such officers might consume in such
sessions, Mr.. Lane said that he would
make the pay so small that they would
not feel inclined to spend all or nearly all
their me in considering the affairs of
theirT counties. lie would leave them
private business.
Mr. Pulliam took it for granted that
such Offices were conscientious; that they
were elected for the reason that they were
SO, aud that therefore he had no fear that
they would abuse their privileges.
Mr. Lane thought that 1T might be said
that III county officers were honest and
conscientious, but that, all the same he
was in favor Of helping them ont by plac-
Ing In the law such aids TO good conscience
have been found necessary IN all times
and places. He would reduce to a mini
mum the opportunity TO squander public
money. He thought, further that as some
persons seemed 10 doubt the possession OF
\ good conscience by all officers, there
could certainly be no doubt as 10 that of
such doubters being good. they had
never brought 1t into use in their daily
business, thus subjecting il to wear and
lear.
The debate finally fell into the form of a
dialogue between MeSsrs, Lane and Pull
liam, with slight and occasional Interrupt
tlons by MeSsrs. Pitman and Pripgsy.
After the parties TO the dialogue had con-
sumed half an hour on not very vital
amendment and seemed to be approaching
an end, Mr. Prlngey stated that he would
like TO hear few remarks from Mr. Pull
liam. Laughter.l
Alter few minutes of further consider
alton the committee rose aud recommended
the passage OF bill No. 81 as amended
Mr.. Lane then moved to suspend the
rules and place the bill upon its passage.
Carrie.
Tie bin was then passed and the title
agreed to.
a message was received from the house.
Transmitting house concurrent resolution
No. 10 and asking the concurrence of the
council therein. The resolution provides
for the appointment OF Il joint COMMITTEES
consisting of three persons from the house
aud two from the council, with instruc.
tions to investigate as TO the condition and
needs of the educational institutions of tn
terrltory-this investigation TO include
the receipts and expenditures of said inSti-
tutions. \ report is TO be made not later
;hau the Goth OF the present month
Mr.. Pltman moved the adoption of the
resolution.
Mr.. Pulliam moved to amend the phrase
oloSy, but, on suggestion that il would
form no part of the laws going on the stat
ute book, the motion was Withdrawn. By
consent the resolution went over, TO De
taken up on call.
Mr.. PlGmsn stated that he had lust been
informed that council bill No. "A. relating
TO territories ami additions thereto, had in
some way disappeared from the possession
Of the committee which had it in charge In
the house. lie thought some steps should
he taken by which like occurrences could
be put stop TO IN the future
a message from the governor announced