The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-08
IT COMES HIGH.
Legislature Breaks All Records
for Appropriations.
Exceeds Preceding Session by
81, 100000.
CAUSE OF INCREASE.
Sc OF INCREASE.
Principally in Behalf of Educa-
tiOnal Institutions.
Consideration of All Bills Ended
This Afternoon.

Three o'clock today saw the close as
far the passage of bills is concern
ed of the legislature of 1907 which will
go down in history as one of the most
expensive If not the most expensive
ever held in the state. The appropria-
tions made this session exceed those of
two years ago by $1,3O0000 and will
amount to 61k million dollars and per-
haDs more.
The ways and means committee of
the senate has prepared a bill which
makes a levy of million dollars for
the purpose of meeting these aexpendi-
lures and it is thought that the reve-
nues of the various state offices VIII
make up the deficit. The levy made by
the legislature of 1905 was Az million
dollars and the deficit was met by the
receipts of the various state offices.
This year and next, however, it will be
necessary for the state tO raise consld-
cradle more money to meet the in
creased expenditures of the legislature.
1t is thought that the appropriation
made by the state with the moneys
which will be received from various
sources will meet the expenditures
made taking into consideration that
there is considera BILE more taxable pro-
perty in the state at this time than
there was two years ago.
This big expenditure on the part OF
the Legislature has gone in all direc-
tions though most of 1t has been APP
propriated for the use OF the educa-
tional institutions of the state, the
state university at Lawrence and the
State Agricultural college at Manhat-
tan faring exceptionally Well IT. this
respect. The manual training school
at Pittsburg secured an appropriation
of 5000 0O0 half Of which will be invest
ed in new buildings and their equip
menI. The appropriation for the state
university exceeds that of two years
ago nearly 100000.
one reason for the increased appro-
priation of this session over last is the
number of new salaried offices which
have been created and increases which
have been allowed to those now in the
employ of the state without cores
ponding reduction in offices and de-
creases in salaries
The house ceased the consideration
of all house bills at noon Thursday or
Whereabouts for the clock had been
turned back nearly an hour in order
to enable that body to complete as
much of the business on its calendar
as possible, though at that there were
between fifty and one hundred bills on
the calendar which will die for want
of final consideration. Three o'clock
today is the hour fixed by joint reso
luton for the house to cease the con-
sideration of senate bills though in all
proba bilities the clock will again be
stopped and it may be hours after the
time set for adjournment before the
house finally ceases the consideration
of senate bills.
With the cessation or the cOnSldera- |
ton of senate bills this afternoon the |
legislature of 1907 practically ends |
and is no longer to be feared by the
taxpayers of the state. A few repre- /
senatives will remain until next Thurs ,
day the day fixed for final adjourn
ment, but they will be dehorned by the |
absence of a quorum and their duties |
will consist mainly of adjourning from |
time to time and receiving messages !
from the governor.
Most of Thursday was spent by the |
members of the legislature in trying to
resurrect bills which had been neg
lected and were among those dying
en- the calendar. In a few instances
hey were successful in advancing
their measures and getting them into
some of the numerous omnibuses of
the day, one of which contained 20 |
bills which were passed on one roll
call. Most of these bills so passed
were local in character. though several
rather important measures were al
lowed to slip through in this way
1t costs nearly quarter of a mill
lion dollars per year to run the state
house for the help alone, though the
state considers this as money we'll
spent. This sum includes the salaries
of thirty-one men, most of whom give
their entire time to their work and earn
all that they get. The list includes two
assistant engineers who receive $500 per
year each; the chief engineer at a SAL
airy of $1,000; four firemen at salaries of
$500; an electrician who receives 81 200
for his services; fifteen janitors and |
lawn men at salaries of s72o; two night
watchmen at $500; two elevator men at |
airy; a guide at S72o. and a curator who /
has charge of the Goss pathological