Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1895-01-18

ne to intellisently discuss their needs II 10
matter of profound regret that Gross scan
falls have been publicly circulated in relation
TO the management OF some OF these ms titu-
tions and urge that thorough investty stions
be made of these charges, in order that the
guilty may be punished and the innocent re-
lievcd Of unjust imputations
Chickamauga.
Under the act OF con yress Of August 49, 1890.
o park has been established ut the battle nold
Of Chickamauga, and the government has pur-
chased, or proceedings are pending for the
purchale Of, over 600 acres OF the battlefield,
embracing most Of the heavy Il hitting ground.
A commission was appointed by the president
to take charge OF this work and nearly all OF
the states whose troops were en.aEed In that
battle have already appointed commissioners
to act in conjunction with the United States
commissioners in locating the positions Of
the different regiments and batteries and
most OF the states have provided for the cree
tion Of suitable monuments to mark the posi-
lions occupied by their resp,ctiv, troops on
the field.
In that mem orable battle Kansas was rep.
resented by General Robert b Mitchell, com
manding division OF CO valry, Colonel John
A. Martin, commanding brl .ade and Lou
tenant Colonel ]. L Abernathi. commanding
the Eighth re yiment OF Kansas volunteers
Eighteen states have already appointed
commissions to assist the national commits
sion In the work of locating positions The
Eighth Kansas re yimsnt should have one
monument near the viniard place 1t fou sht on
Saturday. the 10Th, one at Orchard Knob, and
one on Missionary Ridge.
1 would most earnestly recommend that
the sum Of IS. 900 be appropriated for the cree
tion Of theJe three monum, nts, and that
the further sum of sto) be appropriated to
pay tine expenses Of thres commissioners to be
appointed by the governor. from the survivors
OF that battle to select the proper monuments
and to decide where they shall be placed.
Public Highways.
Every citizen is interested in having good
roads. To the farmer who has to ship his
products by rail II Is q matter OF special I'M
portance, lessening to considerable degree
the cost Of transportation to the depot. And
yet there is hardly matter that will come
before you that will AWAKEN less interest,
and there is no expenditure OF public money
so loosely guarded The country is divided
into small road districts; anyone Is chosen
supervisor who will accept; all who care to do
so are allowed to work out their road tax at
extravayant wages, and the suit is that one
half of the tax judiciously expended under the
direction Of some competent and intelligent
man. who has made q study Of the best man.
ner to improve the public highways, would DO
more effective and produc, better results
A new system should be provided The
county commissioners should have charge OF
the roads, with authority to appoint sum-
cient number OF overseers to look after the
roads Of the county. All road taxes should BIO
paid In money, and 1t should be expended In
the most practical and economical manner
possible
Maturing State Bonds.
The following bonds OF the state become
payable in 1905 and 1885,
March Is, 1925 ................. ......... 5ooW
July $780,. TV,VVo
All the bonds due in 1895 are held by the
state school fund as permanent Investment,
and S3s 900 Of those payable in 1895 are thus
held / would suggest that the state school
fund be authorized to take up those bonds
above named that are not held by them. and
that the time OF payment OF the ontire
amount be extended. subject to payment at
the option OF the state at the rate OF four per
cent interest This would make an abso
lutely safe investment for the school fund.
and would leave the money in the hands OF
the people.
Western Counties
For the past two years there has been
partial failure OF crops In some sections OF
the state In some counties in this eastern
part OF the commonwealth tn, crops have
been nearly equal to On avcra;e, AMI the In
creased prices received have increased the
tion of the state for two years there has bsen
practically total failure
am very proud to say that there have
been. so far. scarcely any appeals to mo for
help for that section but l feel that ought
to cali your attention to the conditions exist
ing there, In order that you may take such
action as may be deemed for the best interest
of the state
Lotteries and Gambling.
Your attention Is invited to the provisions
of the constitution prohl bitny lotteries and
the sale OF lottery tickets There Is no law
to enforce this provision OF the constitution.
II 1t is possible for one form OF gamblin! to
be worse than another this one Is the most
fruitful OF evil 1t reaches out into every
village OF the state. and the churches and the
religious or limitations are contaminated by
II would ur 20 the passage of law prohtb-
iting lotteries OF every character and the sale
OF lottery tickets under any device, with pen.
aties severe enough to make 1t effective
Brlbery Law.
recommend the passage OF a law making
the acceptance OF u bride by any public ofncer
crime, and providing adequate punishment
therefor Such bill passed the house OF
representatives In 1891, and q 'ain In 1893, but
in each instance failed to reach vote In the
senate.
1t should bo under,to and agreed by good
citizens everywhere that no public oficer has
any right to receive dollar for any act OF his
whatever in his public capacity except tho
salary or fees which the law gives him The
emoluments OF LEGISLATORS, city councilmeu,
and OF some other officors OF trust and power
ore very small But no man is compelled to
assume such once ayaia st his will and II he
seeks 1t with the hope OF making up dencien-
cies In his salary by using his oificial position
for his private gain. hs is enemy to the
public, and should be in the penitontiary In
stead OF in public offico.
Election Laws.
The enactment of the Australian ballot law
was very declled and advanced step In the
right direction. and has the anquallihot ap
proval OF the majority Of our people 1t
would be we'll to provide that the county cen
trail committees OF the three parties receiving
the highes number OF votes at the last cleo.
tion, be required to select the judges and
clerks to which their party would be entitled,
and place them in the hands OF the mayors OF
the cities or township trustees at least ten
days before the day OF election. This would
place It beyond the power OF any offi,ial to
select ineficelt mon to act for any other
party. An amen lment providing for square
ut the top OF the ticket, In which anyone who
desired to vote the entire ticket could make
cross, would ficlIitrtI voting. 1t would also
Seem as thou ii sons ineSpensite provision
might be made by which the vote, could be
counted as thcy ar1 cast so that the result
might DO announced in q few minutes after
the polls are closed
Il.