The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1905-03-10
RECORD or LEGISLATURE
Passed More Needed Laws Than Any other
Kansas Legislature in Years.

The Kansas legislature Of 1905, which
viii adjourn this week, is the only leg
islature IN years that has put forth an
effort to carry out its pledges to the
people. Kansas politics had come 70
The place where reform was demanded
Z by all good citizens, and the platforms
OF both parties IN the last campaign
: were acceptable, and only needed the
vital touches of being incorporated into
law. The republicans were successful
IN the election, and the legislature has
made good most Of their promises Fol-
lowing are some of the laws that are ap-
proved by all of the people, without
reference to party spirit:
1. Protection TO the oil industry.
2 Railroad regulation
3. State repositories.
4 State ownership Of printing plant.
5 Good roads.
6. Reduction of legislative expense.
!. Reform II management Of state
institutions.
s. Civil service.
The matters in relation to taxation
and primary elections are yet on the
calendar and may not be put into law,
owing to the fact that adjournment is
50 close at hand.
The last law passed by the legislature,
and which is so important to the Peo-
pie, IS the railroad bill. It originated
in the house and was drastic in its pro-
visions, but the senate did It so much
injury that the house was averse to
cOuntenancing the amended measure.
In the crisis the whole matter was given
to a conference committee, which put
back some Of the original force of the
bill, and both houses then acted favor
ably 1t provides:
THAT no person owning any bonds,
stock or property in any railroad com
Pany, OF who is employed OF in any way
interested Pecuniarly, shall be eligible
to the Office of railroad commissioner.
THAT transportation OF reduced rates
shall not be asked for OF received by
the commissioners or any Of their en-
pIOyes under penalty, and only in the
performance of their necessary duties
shall they have the right Of passage
free Of charge over any of the railroads
of the state.
THAT this law vests the board of
railroad commissioners with the power
and It is made their duty to supervise
all railroad freight and passenger sched-
ules of rates, tariffs and cIassifcations,
and all rules and regulations governing
car service, the transfer and switching
of cars from one railroad to another at
junction points in cities OF towns, all
charges to be made therefor; and the
railroads are bound to the performance
Of the rules and regulations thus laid
down.
THAT complaints laid before the
commissioners will be adjudged by the
board, and no person desiring to be
present at such Investigations shall be
denied admission.
THAT the railroad commissioners
shall investigate all through freight
rates IN Kansas, and upon finding any
of the same excessive, they shall cause
the discriminative rates to be altered.
''That within thirty days after the
taking effect of this act, all railroads
doing business in the state, shall furnish
the board copies of all their schedules
of rates, charges, classifcations Of
freight, joint tariffs, and much other
necessary information, which has too
much length to be mentioned in this
article. Violation of the provisions of
the bill are punishable.
The legislature has been economical.
Assistant State Auditor Nation said this
week that the total expense of the ses-
sion would not go above SIS, 600. The
legislature of 1908 had an expense &C
count of SIP, 600. The appropriations
this winter-about $1,000, OOO-are a
shade under those of 1908. 1t should
be remembered that the appropriations
this winter include the items for the oil
refinery, the state printing plant and
the investigation Of state departments
items Of unusual expense, aggregating
nearly 500, 900.
The legislature has worked hard dur
ing the session, especially the house
The house had longer hours than the
senate and took fewer vacations
Green. House Plants.
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