The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-18

enlisted and recruited by Colonel George
Alexander Forsyth, and were known as
F'orsyth's scouts; that there were in
number about fifty of said scouts, in
cludtng their officers, and that at
point known as Beecher's Island in the
state of Colorado, a battle was fought
with the Indians, September IT.; 1868,
that said scouts and their officers were
surrounded by more than one thousand
Indians for nine da. and nights; that
five of them were killed and twenty
one wounded and the survivors suffered
untold agony; that only a small num-
per OF said scouts survive to this day,
and that practically all of them and
their widows are in Strengthened cir
cumstances financially; that, had they
been regularly enlisted in the United
States army, they would long since
have been receiving pensions; but, on
account of the regularity of their
enlistment, in the service which they
rendered to their country, they are not
entitled to pensions under the general
law. For this reason special bill has
been introduced in congress for their
relief
Your memorialists, therefore, earn
estly recommend that said bill be pass
ed in order that these men may re-
ceive that recognition to which they
have always Keen entitled but which
they have never received.
The secretary of state is hereby in
structed to forward copies of this me-
mortal to the senate and house of rep
resentatives of the United States and
our Representatives in congress-.
Fix Railroad Law
D. w. Blaine, of Pratt county, today
introduced in the house the admins
tration bill to strengthen the existing
defects in the state railroad law. This
bill has been prepared under the d.
rection of A. E. Helm and Carr w:
Taylor, and is approved by the railroad
commissioners and the governor.
The chief object of the bill is to force
railroad companies to furnish to the
railroad commissioners, under oath, de-
tailed information concerning the cost or
railroads, the cost of transporting
freight, and other matters relating to
the Kansas railroad business.
Telephone Trust Hit.
There is supposed to be a sort of
telephone combine in Kansas, which
controls most of the long distance lines
in the state, and J. w. Montee, of
Crawford, has introduced a bill to COM
pei this concern to allow smaller COM
panies to connect with their switch
boards, and use their wires. provided
the regular fee for such service is paid.
The bill says:
Every company, corporation or indi-
vidual engaged in the telephone busi-
ness shall be required to give connec-
ton to or permit the transmission over
its wires OF any l1essage presented to
it by, or coming over the wires of any
other company, corporation or individ-
ual engaged in the telephone business
as provided in this act, only on the
payment to it of the same fees cha rged
other companies, corporations and in
dividuals for like services; provided, that
no company, corporation or individual
engaged in the telephone business shall
be required to make connection for, or
permit the transmission of any message
over its wires received from or over
the wires of any other company, cor.
or nd orsAd IN lxa
business for a sum less than ten cents
for each connection or message.
ANY company, corporation or indi-
viduaI that shall refuse to any other
company, corporation or individual, con-.
nection and service as provided in this
act shall forfeit all right to use the
public streets. alley and highways of
the state of Kansas for the purpose of
carrying on said business and shall for
felt all franchises held from any City
or cities of the state of Kansas, and if
corporated shall forfeit its charter to
the state of Kansas
Guarantee Deposit Bill.
The bill guaranteeing deposits in the
state banks, which was drafted by Sen
ator Fred Quincy of Salina, and advo-
Gated by State Bank Commissioner
house this morning by Representative
c. B. Kirkland of Saline county. 1t
provides that state banks shall annually
contribute certain fee, graduated ac-
bank, to the state treasury, there to be
held as trust fund to protect deposi-
tors in banks which may collapse.
Help the Old Soldiers.
A bill to provide funds with which
the old soldiers may celebrate Memorial
Day was presented to the house this
morning by Representative Sourbeer of
Labette county. The bill provides that
in cities of over $4,000 population the
city council may appropriate $500 for
the celebration, and in cities of less
than that population, 500. This money
is to be expended under the direction of
the G. A. r. posts.
Free KeeIey Cure.
J. H. Ransom, of Ransomville, one
of the members Of the house who does
not make much commotion on the sur
face, has presented a bill by request.
providing for the county treatment of
feels that he is unable to control his
appetite for drink, and who has 10
money to pay for the "Keeley'' may
apply to the county for help, and be |
taken to some reliable institute, where |
he may be given the treatment The |
sheriff accompanies him to the instf- |
tute, and makes all arrangements for
his care. The county then pays the |
bill.
Make People Be Good.
J. r. Banks, of Montgomery county, |
wants to throw the mantle of the law
about Memorial Day and make If as
He introduced a bill this morning which |
provides a fine of from $500 to SIS COO /
for having a ball game, horserace, cir
Gus or carnival on May 30 commonly |
known as Memorial Day. The penalty |
is certainly adequate, whether the bill |
passes or not.
Money for Coburn Reports
The first of the ways and means COM
mittee bills was introduced in the |
house this morning. 1t makes appro-
priation of 81. 400 to pay the postage.
express and freight on the fifteenth BIZ /
ennfal report of the state board of ag-
riculture.
2 Per Cent Tax on Express Companies.
J. NJ. Davis, who is getting the