The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-24
HE TELLS OF BONDS.
Mr.. CoIeman's Review of School Fund
Securities Compromised.

An extensive review of all the recent
business of the department, together
with recommendations for future legis-
lation, is embodied in the fourteenth BIZ
ennial report of the Office of the attor-
ney general, which was on Friday trans
mitted to the governor by Attorney
General c. c. Coleman.
One of the principal topics discussed
by Mr.. Coleman is the method which
he has followed in effecting a compro-
mise of the defaulted bonds with which
the state school fund is loaded. Mr..
with the counties responsible for the
defaulted bonds, and try to get things
cleared up in some sort of shape so that
the state might not lose both principal
and interest. Mr.. Coleman reports the
result of his work as follows:
Acting under the authority given by
the commission, I have been able in a
number of instances, to effect compro-
misses with certain counties, townships
and school districts in extreme western
Kansas where interest due to the school
fund was in default. In no instance
has any compromise of any part OF the
principal been necessary; but in some
cases We have deemed it advisable to
cancel claims for delinquent interest,
and to refund the principal at very low
rateS-in some cases as low as per
cent. We have deemed this for the best
interest of the state, and have taken
this course as the Surest way to save
the school fund from an impairment OF
it's principal. / am glad to state that
in each case wherein such compromise
has been made, the municipalities have,
up to this time, faithfully complied with
their agreement. hope during the COM
ing term to be able to make adjust
ments in all the cases where it is pos
sible. But in some of the partially de-
populated counties, school districts have
been disorganized and merged into 9th
er districts. These complications make
settlement difficult, and in some cases
impossible. An amendment of section
6142 of the general statutes, authorizing
the county commissioners in such cases
to refund or compromise such Indebted
ness, would greatly facilitate such set
Elements. The people living in sucn
districts have shown a commendaple
desire to save the state from loss, ana
in most instances have appeared Will
ing to do all in their power to assist TINS
department in its efforts to make set
tlement."
Mr. Coleman wants the legislature to
vote another $4,000 for carrying on the
Colorado-Kansas water rights litigation
The expenses of this suit are far great
err than the legislature made provision
to meet. Mr.. Coleman says ne exPec -
the final adjudication will occur within
the next IS months. In speaking OF the
expense involved, Mr.. Coleman says:
"It becomes at once apparent that
the record in this case VIII be very
large. It is estimated that, if printed
entire. it would fill about 1900 or
$4,000 pages. Since, unless otherwise
ordered this record must be printed
for the use of the court, and at the
original cost of the complainant, the
EXPENSE became a matter of serious
consideration by our attorneys. am
glad to say that by order OF the
court, obtained on November y, 19O4'
the parties are allowed to print an ap-
stract of the evidence IN neu OF tue
entire record; and, by agreement with
the attorney general of Colorado ana
the assistant attorney general OF the
United States, the expense OF printing
the abstract is to be divided between
the two states and the government. 1t
Is estimated that the volume of the
abstract so to be printed will be about
one-fifth that of the entire record
The Dewey murder case is discussed
at some length, and refers to the YER
dict as a miscarriage of justice.
The appointment of a state lana
commissioner is recommended, the OBJ
ject being to have this commissioner
visit all school lands owned by the
state, yet unsold. and fix price on
each tract which shall be common
surate with the real value. At present
the lands sell at a fiat rate OF $l.zo
an acre. Mr.. Coleman estimates that
in the past ten years the state has lost
100000 by selling its lands too
In regard to the seed grain claims,
Mr.. Coleman reports that his assist
ant, H L. Pestana, has collected ABOUT
S13. 600 out of the $3.50 outstanding,
and that the chances are good for get
ting the rest of the money due the
state.
Numerous changes are recommend
ed in the existing insurance depart
ment laws. The repeal of several IN
operative sections is recommended,
and the passage of new sections in
their stead advised. 1t is also urged
that the surety companies be placed