The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-13

Wrinkle sleep. The concurrent resOiu-
ton for the resubmission of the suffrage
amendment has been in the hands of the
committee for several weeks and appears
to be lost"
Lieutenant Governor Troutman said:
"One of the strongest pages will kindly
bring the petition forward"
The reading of the list of names was
deferred and the petition was referred to
the committee on temperance.
Probably the most interesting bill in
troduced today was that by Senator
Sterne of Topeka at the request of the
nickle-in-the-sIo lobby. The bill, which
was prepared by the general solicitor of
local tobacco men, excludes slot machines
from the working of the anti-gambling
or anti-lottery bills which were passed at
this session of the legislature and are
already in full force and effect. This
bill provides only for slot machines for
the purchase aud sale of cigars.
Senator Danner introduced bill to OBJ
viate the clause in the present liquor law
in relation to subpoeaaing witnesses be-
fore the county attorney.
The supreme court has declared in
valid the clause giving the county attor-
ney authority to imprison, for contempt,
witnesses who refuse to answer ques-
tions.
The Danver bill enables the county at
torney to have witnesses called under the
same conditions as heretofore, except on
a subpoena from justice of the peace,
which gives the possible contempt pro-
ceedings judicial aspect
Initiative and Referendum.
The committee on ways and means re-
ported for passage the senate joint resO-
luton in favor of the initiative and refer
endum.
The resolution which is by Mr.
Shearer, provides that the constitution be
so amended so as to allow the people to
vote direct for the approval or rejection
of any law when per cent of the cleo
tors file petition with the secretary of
! state. =
A concurrent resolution was adopted
instructing the senators aud requesting
j the re presentativea of Kansas in con-
! gress to work for bill to prevent col
/ lectors of internal revenue from issuing a
/ license to sell liquor to any person in
| Kansas who is NOT authorized to sell Ii
quor under the laws of the state This
would make jointists punishable in the
federal courts as we'll as the police and
! county courts. The resolution had 81
ayes and nays. The senators who vot-
ed against the measure were Senators
Bowling, Carpenter, billiard, Helmick,
O'Rryan, Reid and Reilly.
| The judiciary committee reported in
favor of usbstitute to the bill abolish
ing the Shawnee county circuit court
The majority, composed of five Repub-
licans and Democrats, Outnumbered the
four Popullsts who want the court ahol-
, ished. The minority, composed of Sen
ators Dennison (chairman). Baldwin,
Cooke and Leeds. submit minority re-
port The substitute bill reported favor
ably is one by Senator Sterne which pro-
vides that the court shall continue in
existence long enough to enforce its
outstanding orders and judgments.
! While the majority does not wholly ap-
prove of the substitute it reported it
favorably as matter of courtesy and to
give Senator Sterne an opportunity to be
heard on his bill The senators who
signed the majority report were Sen
ators Brown, Carpenter, billiard, O'Bryan
and Thacher.
Deciding Tie Votes.
Senator billiard (Dem) has bill tc
change the mode of deciding tie votes
for members of the legislature. The
present law which provides that the
election shall be decided by drawing lots
is not only bunglesome, but in violation
of the new anti-lottery and anti gamb-
ling laws Senator billiard prefers that
they should be settled by the legislature
or an election be held again in the con
tested districts. In supporting his mo
ton to advance the bill on the calendar
he said: "The present method of set
tling a tie is a disgrace to the state, al
the BOllenger case two years ago shows
| believe no effort was made at fairness
l am convinced that the secretary OF
state simply drew the name of the Re
publican candidate from the hat"
Senator Milton Brown Pop replied
81 happened in Topeka on the day ot
that drawing and l was present and
want to say that I am as certain as any
man can be, that that drawing was fail
and according to law. L resent the in
sinuation of the gentleman from Bour
bon that the drawing was corrupt"
Several senators had their desks rob
bed last night, and Senator Helm, il
view of this fact introduced a resolution
instructing the sergeant-at- arms to keel
all suspicious characters off the floor o
1.-THE senate. One member suggested tha
senators should not be included in th
workings of the resolution. The resolu
ton was lost.