Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-03-18
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

adjourned was In many respects the
most remarkable ever convened II
Kansas. 1t is not our intention to
speak of its dual organization or OF
the disgraceful scenes that followed
or of the legal settlement of the su-
preme court. Our purpose is to
give a brief review of the work act
ually accomplished. There We're
only about two weeks in which leg
islation business could be legally
transacted and in that time some
thing over 200 bills were passed.
Some of these bills were OF much
Importance. In fact the legislature
of 1893 accomplished as much as
any we have had for years.
The house railroad bill failed to
pass because the senate would not
agree. Conference committees were
appointed but an agreement could
not be reached. The result was
that nothing was done except to
compel railroads to place scales at
all stations for the weighing of
grain and repeating the statute al
lowing railroads to make an extra
charge where passengers fail to pur-
chase tickets before entering the
cars. This, we think, is unjust to
the companies, and of little benefit
to anybody unless it might be to
dishonest employees Of the road.
The fact is the peoples party have
had so much to say in opposition to
railroads that they were compelled
to do something to satisfy their peo-
pie. This feature will not satisfy
anybody.
Notwithstanding the cry Of re-
form and economy this Legislature
has been fully as liberal as usual in
its appropriations, thereby admitting
that heretofore the republicans had
been judicious in their use of the
peoples money. The appropriation
for the forestry stations aggre-
gate $4,000, which is certainly not
bad. In fact, we think, most every
body will be satisfied with this
amount-and it is all that western
Kansas gets.
The Australian ballot law, which
goes into effect at the next general
election, received the votes Of a ma
jcrity of the republicans in both
houses. 1t originated in the senate.
Speaker Douglass bill to prohibit
the corrupt use of money at cleo
tons. This bill requires every
candidate and every committee to
file with the county clerk all item
lied statement of every expense in
connection with the campaign.
The mortgage redemption law
originated in the house and was
adopted by the senate. 1t provides
for redemption period of eighteen
months after sale under foreclosure,
except where the land has been
abandoned, in which only six
months are allowed for redemption.
The law amending the tax law
also originated in the house. A re-
duction of 33B per cent. is made be-
fore the sale of the property and
after sale the tax certificate only
draws Is per cent. interest instead
of "a as now.
A bill making it illegal to require
a gold contract in notes and mort
cages, and making silver legal ten
der for all debts in Kansas. This
bill originated in the senate.
Among the local bills passed were
those authorizing Wa-Keeney,
Grainfeld and Grinnell to vote
bonds for Touring mills.
The appellate court bill failed be-
cause the governor wanted to ap-
point the judges instead of having
the people elect them.
The maximum freight bill was
defeated for about the same reason.
The senate insisted on appointing
the commissioners. The republic
cans wanted them elected by the
people.
The free school and state uni
formity bill was not passed. The