The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-22
LET PEOPLE VOTE
House Adopts the Senatorial
Amendment.
Would Have the National Con-
stitutiOn Amended.
IN A SPIRITED FIGHT.
Patent Medicine PeddIers Bill
Starts Discussion.
Mr.. Creech Leads Fight for the
Manufacturers.

WnOle In1S morning Recommended IOA
passage the resolution by Davis of
Bourbon calling upon the senate of the
United States to convene a constitu-
tional convention for the purpose of fix
ing the constitution to permit the cleo
ton of United States senators by direct
vote.
The adoption of the resolution was
moved by C. F. Foley of Rice and Ham
of Rocks amended to make it subject
to amendment and debate. The motion
as amended carried without a dissent
ing vote.
When the committee of the whole
arose at noon, to make way for the
senatorial election, it was right in the
midst of one of the most spirited fights
of the session over the Rhodes bill TO
impose a license tax of 500 per year
upon each wagon operated by patent
medicine vender in any county.
The fight is between the people VINO
think that patent medicines are
menace to the health of Ignorant pur-
chasers and those who claim that the
doctors and drug stores are trying to
create a monopoly" The medicine
peddlers who work the rural districts IN
wagons at present pay no tax. The
proposed bill, it is claimed, will tax
the members are fighting hard for
compromise measure of $50 or even $40
per year.
w W. Padgett of Bourbon, moved
that the committee recommend that the
enacting clause of the bill be stricken
out, and Hendricks of Rawlins second
ed the motion. 1t was beaten by de-
cisiVe vote.
J.W Creech of Dickinson said: 81
came from a county where we have
patent medicine man and he pays
$1,000 tax in our county. l have pc
tition from the best people of Abb
cIx xioc n q
bill However, believe these wagons
should pay some tax and l would be
willing to vote for a tax of $50 per
year"
9 A -Swope of Jewell county, gave
some personal experience with patent
medicine doctors. He said he had
sciatic rheumatism and the doctors
gave him up He called in one OF
the peddlers, and was cured. He said
he thought a $5 tax a year would be
plenty
VIM. Gesner of Barber said- "I'd
like to know whether these medicine
vendors pay cent of tax in the state=
(Cries of no, NOD l don't think they
pay one cent, and moreover, these
vendors are the rankest frauds in the
country"
j. T. Tredway of Allen county said
he believed the patent medicine ped
dlers are a boon to the farmers and
should not be suppressed. He said he
At this time the committee arose
and reported progress, and asked
leave to sit again. The house took up
the election of United States senator.
Gets Favorable Report.
The Wheeler bill allowing cities of
the first class to make a levy of 20
mills for school purposes, was favor
ably reported today by the committee
on education This bill is being
strongly advocated by the boards of
CT the larger cities of the
state, which claim that they can't get
enough money. under the present
levies. to operate their schools.
C. F. Foley's bill, providing for
county free employment agencies to
work in connection with the state free
agent, was favorably re-
ported from the committee on state
a affairs. but the provisions of the bill
were considerably modified by amend
ment.
The bill of ]. T. Tredway for licenses
on automobiles was favorably reported
by the committee on state affairs. and
cycles be added to the provisions of
the bill.
To Protect Miners.
H c. Cowan of Cherokee county |
has introduced a bill intended to pro- |
tect miners from premature explosions
Of powder. The bill requires that all |
black powder commonly used in min |
ing must be delivered to the miner |
at the switch leading into each |
separate tunnel in the original pack |
ages, in steel cartons. A violation of
he act is punisha Bile by a fine of fifty /!
dollars for each offense. |
Providing for Vital Statistics.
The bill introduced by Sheffield In |
gals of Atchison county for the state |
BOARD of health provides for the crea- |
ion OF q state bureau of vital statis- |
.ics under the supervision of the state |
BOARD of health. Each township and |
city in the state is made a registra-
appointed in each district. This reg
strar is to obtain all information re- |
yarding births and deaths which the |
board may require to provide a full |
report on vital statistics and these re-
ports are to be forwarded to the state
board of health within ten days after |
he certificates are filed. 1t is required
hat all physicians in the district are
10 file certificates of birth of all chill
iren No body of any person is to be |
buried. cremated and placed in vault |
without permit from the registrar /
and no body may be removed from the |
district without a permit. The causes |
and places of all deaths are to be re-
ported in full as we'll as large
amount of information regarding dis |
eases race, age and occupation of the |
deceased The bill provides that the |
ocal registrars are to be paid twenty
Ave cents for each certificate of birth |
DR. death which they register. The |
penalty for not reporting any death or
birth by any physician makes him |
liable to fine of from fifty to two |
hundred dollars.
Inspection of Boilers.
E. A Enright of wyandotte county |
bill today creating a state |
<Cop+iprod an P,1a Ei1htN