The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-01-31
F|GBT On FEE BILL
Committee Acts UnfavorabIy
on Council Bill No. "a.
BIG FLOOD OF 0RAT0RY
Turned Loose Which Occupied
the Entire Morning.

Guthrie, O. T. Jan s0.-Nefther branch
Of the Oklahoma legislature was in ses-
sion this afternoon on account of the
statehood convention.
The principal debate in the. council this
morning was occasioned by an unfavor-
able report submitted by a majority of the
judiciary committee on council bill "a.
which provides for the payment of fees
to witnesses and urors in criminal cases.
Senator Miller submitted a minority re-
port, and motion to adopt the latter re-
port let loose a food Of campaign ora
tory that consumed the greater portion
Of the morning session. Senators Miller,
Coulson, Duffy Todd and Clarke cham
pioned the minority report, each Of the
speakers claiming TO represent the inter-
est of the farming class to whom a gross
Injustice was being perpetrated in taking
him away from his farm work to testi-
fy in court without suitable compensa-
ton.
The principal speech in defense Of the
majority report was made by Senator Eos
ter Of Logan county, who based his re-
marks upon an experience Of four years
as probate judge. In making comparison
Of court expenses since 1895, when the
present fee and salary law was enacted,
and prior to that time, Senator Foster
stated that in 1894 the court expenses for
Logan county were $26, 800, and in 1900 the
court expenses were but 81. 100. It had
been urged that the Withholding Of fees
had a tendency TO close the mouths Of
witnesses, in refutation of which the
Senator showed from the records that in
1894 thtre were but fourteen convictions
IN Logan county, and IN 1890 there were
forty-six convictions. The speaker de-
MED that the bill was in the interest of
the farmer and asserted that its chief
benefciaTies would be a lazy class who
make it a practice to hang about the
court room in the expectation Of being
subpoenead as witness or Juror. At
the close Of the debate the minority re-
port was adopted.
Senator Windler has taken a hand in
the printing controversy BY introducing
a bill IN the council this morning pre-
scribing number of the copies Of the ses-
sion laws and council and house journal
the secretary OF the territory shall cause
to be printed. what they shall contain
and how they shall be bound.
Senator Todd introduced bill regulat-
ing the leasing of the indemnity school
lands and disposing Of the funds aris-
ing therefrom.
The following bills we're reported fav-
orably to the council from standing com
nlittees:
c. B. No. 81. by Foster, prescribing what
charges shall be paid from each of the
county funds.
c. B. No. 101. BY Miller, providing for
investigation OF county officials.
c. 2. No 102, by Foster, an act to regu-
late the time of beginning actions to try
the title to a public Office.
C. B. No. SO. by Miller, an act relating
to animals.
c. B. No. 70, by Harrison, an act MAX
Ing appropriations for officers and clerks
of the legislature
c. 3. No IS, by Duffy. an act relating
TO fees and salaries.
Council bills reported unfavorably this
morning were:
C. B. No. 81, by Miller, an act to define
disturbing the peace.
C. 3. No. So, by Foster, providing for
the time and manner Of county commits
sioners holding meetings
c. B. No. A. Miller, an act to pro-
hibit the manufacture and sale Of dan
gerous toys.
c. B 49, By Miller an act relating to
receivers.
c. B. No. So. by Miller an act for regl-
lation of weights and measures.
c, B. No. g. BY Duffy. an act to repeal
sections 4. ; and of chapter Is, session
laws of 1895.
c. 3. No. 50, by Miller. an act to further
define and punish kidnapping.
c. p. No. "a. by Miller. relating to judg-
ments recovered in the territory.
c. b No. g., by Miller, an act to en-
roll the soldiers their widows and or
phans Of the late various armies of the
United states residing In the territory
c. B. No. 20, by Miller, an act providing
for the rebate Of taxes IN certain cases.
Duffy's bill to prohibit slot machines
was unfavorably reported from the judi
ciary committee, but after a hard fight
the author succeeded in having his bin
referred to the committee Of the whole
Guthrie. 0. T., Jan 90-Senatar Rick
Mesasn stated today that his pubic build
ing bin would not be introduced tonor-
row as originally Intended but would he
deferred until the election contest was de-
cided.
The council today voted to hear the tes-
timony read and arguments in the Nc