The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-24
LEGISLATURE
ASSEMBLIES
Kansas solons Meet in Special SEES
sion to Pass Flood Relief
Measures.
Gov. Bailey, in His Message, Speaks
Of the Necessity for Imme-
date Action.

Topeka. Kan, June 24.-The special ses-
sion OF the legislature called by Governor
William ]. Bailey, to enact q flood relief
measure. convened this afternoon, enough
members having arrived to insure a
working quorum in both houses. The
principal subject of contention will be
whether a general relief bill or local bills
shall be passed. There seems no doubt
about the enabling bridge act" law. be-
ing passed quickly.
1t also Is certain from, expressions Of
members here, that charity bill of some
nature will be passed. The best authors
ties differ as to the legality of such ac-
ton, but, as one well-known legislator
remarked to-day, after viewing the ruins
in north Topeka: "The crisis Is great
and needs are so pressing that relief win
undoubtedly be granted and the courts
can settle the legality Of such action
later"
the question Of organizing the legislature.
The majority think, however, that the
old organization will stand. The legfsla-
tors were shown over the North Topeka
ruins to-day before converting.
Tho Governors Message.
The floods which have recently swept
over portion of our fair state have Gre
ated conditions unusual and extraordinary.
The valley Of the KaW and it's tributaries,
which but short time ago gave promise
OF rich harvests, has been devastated by
the angry waters, villages and cities have
been inundated, homes have been obliter-
ated and the property loss to the citizens
Of our state Is so vast that at this time
its amount is but a conjecture.
Bridges that SPAWNED our rivers, and
that are absolutely necessary for the
every day transaction Of business, have,
In many cases, been swept away, and
others have been made impossible, max
ing necessary the expenditure Of large
amounts Of money before the avenues of
commerce can again be opened. Especially
is this true in Wyandotte county, where
the immense business between Kansas
City, Kan, and Kansas City, Mo-, is sus-
pended until the river can again be
-bridged.
while conditions are perhaps the most
acute in Wyandotte county, yet the same
situation obtains in several of the other
counties. In some Of the counties those
charged with the responsibility of repair
ing these great losses find themselves
helpless under the law to meet these unu-
sual and extraordinary conditions, and 1t
is for the purpose Of giving such enabling
legislation as is necessary to meet this
emergency, that I have exercised the
power vested In me by the constitution
of our state to convene the legislature In
extra session.
IT regret very much that the exigen-
cies Of the hour have impelled me to this
action at this unusual season of the year,
but the legislation necessary, giving the
counties SO desiring, the authority to use
their credit to raise the money to repair
their losses, can be passed in a few hours,
and I trust the great calamity that has
come to us will not be utilized in an at
tempt to pass general legislation.
Assuring you Of my highest personal
regard and with the earnest hope and
belief that your acts during the present
special session may prove beneficial tc
the whole people, whose interests gyou
have in charge, pledge you my hearty
cooperation