The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-08
WA. HARRIS VIEW
What He Thinks the Legisla-
ture Should Do.
A constitutional Convention
Should Certainly Be Had.
CORPORATION LAWS.
These Need Changing to Limit
Corporate Power.
Plain People, Not Terrapin
Eaters, Should Manage.
CORPORATION LAWS.

leLLEF 10 Etfe JDUIAlA4 mere EAHN7 49,
views as to what the legislature should
do He says
I'm regard to the possibilities of fu-
ture LEGISLATION. anyone familiar with
the matter must know that it is greatly
a matter of guess work as to what VIII
be put through and what VIII ran by the
wayside. The only evidence on the SUD
1ect is the disposition SHOWN p4 a 4atl 5t
number of the men who viii do the law
making. Certainly on one point there IS
almost unanimous agreement, not only
by the members Of the party ia power
but it has been Endorsed over and over
again by leading members OF all parties
i'm the state. Gov. Morrill, in his message
TO the last legislature, recommended IN
the strongest posi- BILE terms the adOp-
ton of the necessary steps for a cOnsti-
1utiOnal convention He gave no less
than II or IS strong reasons why it
should be done and ITS being apSoluLely
necessary for the economy and welfare
or the state. Amy opposition 70 this
measure now, on the part of the Repup-
1icans seems to me. makes them rldicu-
l0us No reasonable, consistent man
can object. The necessity for a change
in the homestead exemption, the neces-
sity for change in the method of doing
state printing (Which I think should be
done by CONTRACT, the necessity for
more secure limitation and proper con-
troll of corporations are all matters
strongly stated by Gov. Morrill,, and
against which no objection can be
raised.
In regard to corporations I believe
reverse OF the correct position to take
SO far from corporations being prohibit
ed by special acts, / believe that special
enactment is the only way IN which cor
DOrate power should ever be granted.
An application for this great peculiar
power should go to the legislature ac-
cOmpanied by unquestioned proof of
the necessity and public demand for it,
not only that but application should be
limited to a few we'll defined subjects.
the proper and successful conduct of
oh rnN4 Ertr he
ordinary partnership.
THE creation of the artificial citizen
which we call a corporation, has be
come too common and is being used for
thousands OF objects never contemplate
ed or dreamed Of when The idea was
first conceived. Then even when the
necessity has been shown. the grant
should be accompanied by ample linn
itatiOns and restrictions 50 that never
shall it be possible for the artificial cit
izen to become greater than its creator
and absolutely defy the powers that
gave it birth.
The constitution forbids the state to
become party to any internal inn
prONement This limitation should APP
ply as wei to counties. A constitutions
al limitation should be put upon both to
create Indebtedness for any purpose.
In the matter of taxation as stated by
Governor Morrill, there are many things
that SUGGEST themselves as la.essar,- 70
be done The apportiOnment of repre-
sentatives also requires changing and
their number should be increased. In
stead of the state university having reg
ing an sp6ronriafio, II sboI7i5 6e e77S57,-
endowed By a hxed tax under the con
stitutiOn. In the case of the sunrer1e
court no one questions the neeessitvy for
an increase to five or seven mem bers- In
the matter of tenure of office 7 am in
clned strongly In favor of increasing the
term of all state officers from two wears
70 four years and 4 believe that thar
might we'll be done ina most Of the county
changed TO fxed salary. The question
ar7 q
prohibition has certainly become a
farce under the management of its most
ardent. pretended friends. And il never
can be Satisfactorily adjusted until once
more passed upon by the people, through
I'm regard to railroad legislation there
should be, i'm my opinion. an effort made
power They should Be aiio1ed In so 1ll,e
way 10 enforce and carry out their find
ings or at least have the direct assistance
OF the courts to that end or the sfafe
should save the expense OF such purely
ornamental body. lit would be far better
10 give the connn1issioners added mover
and ample discretion than to pass a rigid
maximum rate bill
THE readjusting Of the state as to
congressional districts ais a matter Of
tended to- think that ieeislsti65n tx ~
line of Breidenthals recommendation.
companies. tnouesfiona.5iv s-ood ana v-ili
probably be adopted I think we have
some supernous boards and offices which
might vel be abolished our MINING
laws. il is conceded are more or less de-
fective and / am ia favor Of rastrictina
The output Of the penftentiarv coal SHAFT
TO the needs Of state institutions, and to
prevent ina every way possible the cOmpe-
1ftion between convict labor and free la
Dor. The railroads themselves viii prob
ably be eager TO assist in the passage of
an auu-pass law I think it is possible
be organized to include many of the com
missiOners and boards that are more or
less indirectly connected with it.
Fair. honest and conservative efforts
fin the direction that L have indicated,
lA-nmea OF ln any way calculated to in-
5ure the state So far the matter OF
real estate loans is concerned i am in
1aVor OF having IL possible for parties to
agree to use practically the Missouri
deed Of trust method with the addition
or the period OF twelve months redemp-
ton between the sale and execution OF
the deed and the security to be fun sat it's
faction of the debt I recognize the fact
that it is a matter of mutual Interest ia
both the borrower end the lender. We
must reduce the enormous expense ana
the same time. III must not be made
possible that undue haste or Injustice
be done to the unfortunate debtor. Re
duce the time consumed in the courts to
minimum. and then be generous in the
that each party viii know that no fac
tiOus or unnecessary delay or expense can
4ttll tS1a AAaA~-NDSa DF many lA tne
brood of loan and trust companies am
over the state have been the greatest and
most eIecAiNe lhAlE inner latlIlea IN IN
5urinE Kansas credit. These CORN rar tS
have continued to fatten at the expense
notn or the eastern lender ana the west
eru borrower. and have neither hesitated
to indict upon the unfortunate debtor
gest itself TO unlimited greed. at the
same time in no way benehung or even
dealing justly with the eastern capital
lists. The recent articles from the Boston
Herald show up the real enemies to KAN
sas credit. and that pious New England
have stolen at each end Of the line
I'm brief want to see the Peoples