The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-15

character and the sale Of lottery tickets under
any device. with penalties severe enough to
make it effective.
Bribery Law.
recommend the passage of law making the
acceptance of q bride by any public officer
crlme and providing adequate punishment
therefor Such bill passed the house of rep
reSentatiyes in 1891. and again in 1898, but In
each instance failed to reach a vote in the
Prior to 1869 the law made it equally a crime
to give or TO receive bribe; In that year t9e
1t crime to receive a bride. leaving in force
only that part OF the statute making It crime
this partial repeal that if both parties to the
transaction were subjected to punishment, there
If there is any force in that argument it would
seem that the portion of the Jaw which was
which was left in force should have been
se Who had Srbed puBc oeer mr ma Ps
the fact known especially if the bribe had been
ead bu ufr eo muc 81 eHc s ana
officer would proclaim his own disgrace by pub
ever this may be, the result has not justified the
argument. and the theory of excepting the
brlbe taker from the just penalty of his crime is
not in harmony with enlightened public senti-
ment
1t should be understood and agreed by good
citizens everywhere that no pnbhc officer has
any right to receive dollar for any act of his
whatever in ms public capacity, except the sal
airy or fees which the law gives him. The
emoluments Of legislators, city councilmen,
and of SONS other officers of trust and
man is compelled to assume such office against
his viii; and If he seeks il with the hope of
making up deficiencies in his salary by using
his official position for his private gain he is an
enemy to The public, and should be in the peni-
Tertiary instead of in public office.
Election Laws.
The perpetuity of our government depends
upon free ballot and fair count. Our cleo
tions should express the free and unbiased Will
of the voters The average Judgment of the
people be safely relied upon, and if it
proves occasionally to be wrong. the mistake
will be corrected at the earliest opportunity.
The enactment of the Australian ballot law
was a very decided and advanced step in
the right direction, and has the unqualified
approval of the majority of our people.
1t would be well to provide that the county cen
trail committee of the three parties receiving the
highest number of votes at the last election, be
required to seiec the judges and clerks to which
their party would be entitled. and place them in
the hands of the mayors of the cities, town
ship trustees, at least ten days before the day of
election. This would place il beyond the power
of any official to select inefficient to act for
any other party. An amendment providing for
a square at the top of the ticket in which any
one who desired to vote the entire ticket could
make a cross, would facilitate voting. 1t would
also seem as though some nexpensive provision
might be made by which the votes could be
counted as they are cast. so that the result
might be announced in few minutes after the
Comm issiOneK of Elections.
The law providing for commissioners of cleo
tions should be repealed. and the mayor and
registration. The work can be better done.
with far more satisfaction to all concerned, and
at much less cost
Conclusion.
In conclusion, I would say that 1 have I'M
bounded confidence in the future of Kansas. AS
it has steadily advanced in the years that have
passed. always true to its motto constantly
pressing forward and upward, so l believe it
will continue to advance. 1t has vast hidden
resources that VIII be developed in the future to
add untold wealth to its present means; millions
of acres of fertile soil which have as yet been
untouched by the plOw. inviting the honest yeo-
men from other states With proper encour-
agement, sturdy men can be induced to make
their homes within its borders. and countless
millions can be secured to develop IT'S boundless
resources Then let every citizen of the state,
without regard to his political Affiliations be
loyal to its interests, and ever ready to defend
its fair name. +. n. MORRILL,.