The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-05
STILL A MEEK AWAY
But Legislators are Dropping
in for the Session.
FOR PRESIDING OFFICERS
Forces Lining up for the
Organization Rush.
FOR PRESIDING OFFICERS

Guthrie. O. T, Jan. 4-CSpecial.)-Al-
though it is yet week until the leglsia-
ture convenes, the hotels are already
crowded and other signs are visible that
betoken a. lively session. A few members
EJECT are here. A J. Biddison. councilman
from the Second district, arriving last
night. He is an active candidate for the
presidency and expects to give Frank Hut
10 A. H. Huston. Hugh McCredie ana ID.
z Ravens a lively race for the chleI
honor. Tom Doyle, the Democratic mem
her from Perry, and who Is one OF the TWO
members Of the Fourth legislature re-
elected. was here yesterday sizing up the
situation 10 ascertain what privileges VIII
he accorded the minority. Z. Z. Harris
horne. who will represent the Twenty-third
district. is a new face in the political
arena. He has been here since Sunday,
as he saws. Ito learn what is being done
on the ground floor" and he is rapidly
catching on. He is for a west side man
for speaker, with a, strong leaning toward
Doc McElrath Of Enid. As TO legislative
action. Representative Hartshorne believes
that the chief work of the present legisla-
ture will be to remedy or repeal tn mis-
takes of the last legislature.
W T. MalIey, representative from the
Sixth district, is out in letter calling up
on the farmers Of the territory 10 organize
and make known their wants to the legis-
lature. He says: 81 notice that mayors
of the cities Of the first-class in this terri
tory are about to organize for the purpose
uf making such demands as they deem
wise on the coming legislature in behalf OF
the cities they represent. l think this
action on their part wise, as II viii bring
to the immediate notice of that body many
needed reforms in relation to the governing
Of cities I also think that if this plan
vas followed up by the farmers of this
territory, organizing for the purpose of
making such demands on the coming ses-
sion as will in their Judgment benefit the
taxpayers al over the country, it could
be done this way: The representative Re
publican farmers, say of four or six town
chips. could met at some central place,
there organize and draw up resolutions
setting forth their grievances ard making
such demands as will in their judgment
be to the advantage Of those who pay the
taxes. IF such meetings should send
copy of their resolutions to every member
of the legislature, in that way the farmers
could place their immediate wishes in re-
gard to economical legislation in their be
half before the lawmaking power, and in
my judgment it would have a wholesome
effect"
It was reported today that the normal
school at Edmond had been closed on ac-
count of scarlet fever This is doubtless
a mistake, arising ont of the closing of the
public schools of that place by order of
one Of the members Of the village board
OF education. DR.. Buxton, health super
intendent, says there was absolutely no
need of closing the public schools at this
late day, inasmuch as the one case of
scarlet fever occurred over a month ago
Three additional cases of smallpox were
reported from Stroud this morning, but
confined to the town. At Gushing there is
considerable excitement over the attempt
of a Stroud merchant to move in with a
stock Of goods, but he was not permitted
to unpack his goods. No additional cases
of smallpox are reported from Chandler.
DR.. Threadgill, superintendent Of the
Norman sanitarium, has made his quar-
terly settlement with the auditor. for the
care of the insane The territory is now
maintaining go insane patients al the san
itarium, and so marked has been the in
crease in insanity that the sanitarium has
been obliged to enlarge its accommodations
by the erection Of neat and comfortable
cottages sufficient to accommodate 100 pa
tents. Notwithstanding the enfeebled and
helpless condition of the insane patients
the general condition of their health Is
something remarkable, and the mortality
rate is far less than in similar institutions
under state control. These favorable con-
ditions are no doubt due TO the healthy
surroundings a Norman and largely to the
excellent sanitary measures in force at the
SSnitariunl-
Governor Barnes has written two OF the