The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-14
MICH BATTERED UP
Was the Fees and Salaries Bill in
Committee,
But IT STILL HAS GOOD FEATURES.
The Bill lis Reported Back to the
Houae with the Recommendation
That It Be Passed as Amended.

fees and salaries bill has at last ended In
the house committee of the whole.
Shortly before o'clock last night, MT.
BaIlinger. worn and fatigued by the con-
slant care which he has bestowed upon the
bill, arose and made the motion when
reported it back to the house with the
recommendation that it be passed as
amended. Mr. Ballinger has given the
bill the most painstaking attention, ana
after persistent effort on the part of the
committee on fees and salaries and him
self, succeeded in efecting an agreement
between the most diverse forms of oppo-
sition. That the bill only partially
succeeds in its intention its most ar
dent supporters will not gainsay, but
the mum Der of members who had not the
moral stamina to entagonize the county
rings was so large that concessions had
TO be made in some cases if any legisla-
ton at all was to be had. The result Is
best summarized in the remarks of Mr.
Benedict, who has all along championed
big reductions. In offering an amend
ment to one of the last sections he said:
This is indeed a wonderful bill. Even
the chairman Mr.. Veale in all his legis-
lative experience never saw the like of
it. There is nothing like it in the heav-
ems above, or on the earth beneath, or
under the earth. Like all Legislation of
this nature it is a series of compromises,
and" he added in a low voice, sit ought
to meet the ignominiOus fate it deserves"
The DILL certainly does not meet the ex-
act wishes of the most earnest disciples
of reduction, but it is probably the best
measure which could have been got
through this house. The committee
spent ten days of hard work in prepar-
ing it and the credit due Mr.. Cox and his
committee should not be detracted from
because of the distortion it suffered in
the house.
As was predicted, the section relating
to county superintendent provoked
heated opposition from many quarters.
Mr.. Ballinger had prepared a substitute
intended to reconcile the opposition, but
even 1t was not enough to satisfy the vo-
racious appetite of some.
MIR. Sutton of Russell, was one of the
first to cry for more. He moved that
the amounts III the substitute be increas-
ed % per cent "This question of who
shall teach and bring up our children is
an important One," said he. Sup in our
county we may lose crops once in awhile
but the crop of children never fails
We may not raise good corn and wheat
all the time but we can raise good child
rem if you give US a chance. We can't
get efficient superintendent and educate
our children properly unless they are
we'll paid"
But Mr.. Sutton's facetiousness had no
effect and his amendment was lost.
Mr. Price of Brown, said he was eter-
nally opposed to reducing county super
intendents' salaries.
Mr.. Funk of Marion, declared he had
voted for reductions of other salaries but
he wasn't in favor of reducing those OF
county uperintendents.
Mr.. Simons spoke against reduc-
tions and then the heavy artillery from
kingman was turned on the substitute
Mr.. Cannon delivered ole of his mimi
table phllippics against reducing the
salaries of the county superintendents
"lf had had to depend on the benefits
received from the schools l would not be
here" he said. But though I have no
had the advantages of education
want my children to have them. Great
governor" said Mr.. Cannon earnestly
advancing toward the desk to give his
words momentum, sit would not be right
to cut down their pay" Loud applause.
Il hope" said the mildly humorous
Mir. Sutton, "that my little amendment
will not get lost amidst the rattle Of
musketrv and the roar of Cannon"
Mr.. Benedict said that most county
RCA AhlChNCnbo WSA0 taken out OF the
schools and if school teachers got ONLY
about $500 year why were superinten.
dents worth so much more.
Mr.. Caldwell suggested there was an
Item of expense in travelling around
That they would have to go afoot or hire
a vehicle as the bill made no provision
for sending around barouche for them
Mr.. Miller of Morris said: "We are
getting of the question. We began witt
the idea of reducing salaries and adjust
Ing them to each other, and here we are
preparing to raise them. Are we to &c
back home and say everything but coun-
" superintendents' salaries ought to be
reduced"
Mr. Fitzgerald of Ford thought ever
the substitute of Mr.. Ballinger was too
nigh. 1.-The gentleman who is engineer
ing TINS Dill Is posing as a great reform err
but in the light of his substitute I fear
that the school marms have captured
him. Tbs way to reduce, is to reduce.
MI Fitzgerald then offered an amend
ment carrying out this idea, but it wa:
lost.
The essence of Mr.. Ballinger's substi
TUE was finally adopted, and with thi
troublesome feature out of the vav this
rest was soon done and the bill renortad
FOR SHAME, SENATOR'S
Ahere Are Some Who Want to Keen tn.
State University Behind.
The friends and foes of the Kansa
state university had a wordy contest a
the night session of the senate last even
Ing. A portion of the ways and mean
committee wanted TO increase the ammo
priation from $4,000 to 100000 Sem
ators Thatcher, Rogers and Scott led tn
night for the increase, and Senators Den
nison, Lands and Jumper opposed it
senator Thacher made probably the
most eloquent plea that has been mad
81 TINS session of the legislature, in sun
Port OF the appropriation. judo,
1nacher said he had learned from con
Nersauons with President Eliot of Har
saIu mat the Kansas university was tn,
aaeorNe sister of most of the bill
eastern institutions. He called attention
Slso 70 tae TACT that nearly all of the prc
lessons could go to eastern universitie
a. an increased salary, but staye
through patriotism and love of the stat