The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-16
NAMES IN SENATE.
John Q. Royce Is ReappOinted
Bank Commissioner.
W. H. Haskell Again Warden Of
Penitentiary.
NO ACTION is TAKEN.
Will Come Up for Confirmation
at Executive Session.
Governor Fitzgerald Takes the
Helm and Proves a Success.

HELM and Proves q Success.
Outside of the introduction of num-
erous bills there was not much of in
terest in the session of the senate which
convened for the first time since Sat-
urday morning at o'clock Tuesday af-
ternoon unless 1t was the appearance OF
Lieutenant Governor w. ]. Fitzgerald
as the presiding officer OF the body for
the first time. Governor Fitzgerald
appeared to be trife nervous but he
gave every indication that he will prove
to be model presiding officer and was
warmly congratulated by the senators
when the session was over. An evidence
that he has already grasped the ex-
ceedingly fine points of the situation
was given when not an objection was
made on the part Of any senator to the
reference of any of a number OF bills.
which were on second reading, to the
committees. A presiding officer, who
for the first time can dispose of a lot
of bills to their appropriate committees
without suggestion or objection from
the members of his body is eminently
qualified for the position he has been
placed in.
Governor Hoch sent to the senate for
confirmation number of appointments,
including the reappointment of John Q.
Royce as state bank commissioner. The
appointments sent in by the governor
were as follows:
Director of state penitentiary for the
term expiring April 1, 1907-T. P. Bal
linger.
Director of the state penitentiary for
the term expiring April 1, 1sOs-John
Seaton.
Director Of the state penitentiary for
the term expiring April 1, 1909-W. 1.
Biddle.
Warden of the penitentiary for the
term expiring September /, iso9-W. H.
Haskell
Bank Commissioner for the term end
ing March 1, 19oS-John @. Royce.
State grain inspector for the term
ending March 1. 1909. w. Radford
The matter of confirming these ap-
pointments will come before the senate
when the body goes into executive ses-
sion at some future date.
Among the bills introduced was one
by Senator Hodges appropriating SILL
400 for the rebuilding of the laundry
at the state insane hospital at Osa-
watomie. which was partially de-
stroyed by fire some ten DAYS ago.
Senator Hodges asked that an emer-
gency be declared and the bill have its
second reading. This was done. Just
about the time that the bill was about
to have its third reading a similar bill
which had passed the house of repre-
sentatives was presented as a message
to the senate Senator Hodges moved
that the house bill be substituted for
his and that it be placed on its third
vailed and the bill was given its third
reading and passed.
A message was also received from
6e hor aw-4r
had amended the bill of the ways and
means committee of the senate ap-
propriating 100000 for the contingent
expenses of the legislature by amend
ing it so as to strike out the allowance
for postage for members. This bill is
In the charge of Senator Miller and he
moved not to concur in the house
and his motion prevailed.
so the bill will be. sent back to the
house and a conference committee will
have to be appointed to settle the diff
dculty between the two branches of
the legislature over the question OF
Der of the body $40 for postage and
the house voted each member of its
body $40, but this was done by resolu-
ton. And the appropriations neces-
sary to make these resolutions mean
were placed in the bill but
cut out by the house.
Senator Miller said that the ways
and means committee had figured that
first ten days of the session would
amount to $3.50 for mileage for
members; $2,150 for POSTAGE; $4,9B0
Tor per diem pay formembers, and $3,-
300 for wages for employees. a total OF
s19,593 for the first ten days. He said
hat the expenses for the next ten days
would be over $4,000 and that was
why an appropriation Of $4,000 was
necessary. When he moved not to
concur in the house amendment he
added: 'T guess the house does not
1now the temper of the senate on
his question of postage" and from
he way the senate honconcurred all
he members seemed to be of the same
opinion.
A bill was passed appropriating
Missouri river to protect the water
supply at the penitentiary.
An exceedingly important bill was
Introduced by Senator Getty. 1t gives
municipality the power to go TO
court to force a corporation to full
i'll the provisions of such franchises
Is may have been granted to it. In
,ase the municipality does not take
his step for the fulfllment of the
erms of franchises by their holders
hen an individual can bring the suit.
which is to be tried by a district Judge
vithoX a jury. If the corporation is
ound guilty OF not fulfilling the terms
II its franchise it is subject to a hna
# from $1,000 to $4,000.
The com pany may appeal to the
upremc court but must make out its
ase in ninety days and If it refuses to
'bey the findings of the supreme
.ourt power is given to the court to
Lppoint a receiver and collect the fine
IT sell out the property for the satis-
action of the fine.
After being in session for forty-hve
minutes the senate adjourned.