The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-16
THE SPECIAL SESSION.

cordance with the mandate of Governor
E. w. Hoch and it is the duty of the
legislators, who have assembled at the
states capitol, to proceed with the ut
| most dispatch in the transaction of the
business that is before them. At the
same time they should use the utmost
care in the framing Of the legislation
that will come up for their considera-
ton because it will involve matters of
the gravest Importance to the people
and the business interests of the state.
1t is regrettahle that the constitution
of Kansas does not limit, as do the
constitutions of most states, the scope
of the legislation which may be consid-
cred at a special session to the issues
which are presented to the legislature
by the governor. But it is not believed
that the members are of a general dis
position to take up for consideration
all sorts Of matters that are incident
to regular session. Kansas was never
in better condition than she now Is.
She is well fixed with laws and the
legislators would probably do more
harm than good if they started in to
tinker with them.
When Governor Hoch convened the
special session he issued a statement
setting forth what he believed to be the
necessities for it. These include the
enactment of legislation providing for a
state wide primary Of the direct sort,
bill for the guaranteeing or insurance
of deposits in the state banks, and the
amendment of the tax law in the chief
particular Of limiting the levies that
may be made by the taxing bodies of
the state under the increased assessed
valuation of property which will prevail
under the new law. And it would seem
that the legislators would be doing the
proper thing if they would limit their
attentions to these measures and other
minor ones which the governor may
suggest in his message.
There is but once course to be pur-
sued in regards to the primary question.
Provision for nominations for every
state office by a direct vote of the peo-
pie should be made and the law should
be made effective so that it will go into
operation Immediately and do away with
the state conventions for this year
which have been called already. In all
likelihood there will be something Of "a
fight over this primary legislation but
it would seem futile for the legislators
to adopt any kind of primary law
except one OF the direct sort. Governor
Hoch would certainly veto any hybrid
measure and the work of the legislators
would go for naught in this respect.
1t would seem to be good plan to di-
vorce the primary for the United States
senatorships from the regular state
primary and have it held on the same
day as the regular election in the fall
1t could be held at this time without
much additional expense and in holding
it then it would not be necessary to
inject national politics into the CAM
paigns for state nomination as would
surely be the case If the U. S. senator
ship primaries were held at the same
time as the state primaries.
From interviews which have been
published there seems to be a wide
divergence of views among the men,
bers of the legislature as to the form
the bank guaranty deposit law should
take. Several plans have been sug-
gested and the matter should be given
the most careful consideration so that
this legislation will take a form that
will not only protect the bank deposit
tors but also be equitable to the various
banking interests in the state. There
does not seem to be much controversy
over the new tax law. 1t is looked
upon as a great step in advance and
such amendments as are needed to it
can probably be made in short order
and with unaniruity.
On calling the extra session Governor
Hoch announced that it was a signifi-
ov-f onff hot oil h 49,,
on the subject not a single suggestion
had been received as to the necessity
for railroad legislation of any sort be-
ing taken up by the legislators at this
time. And no railroad legislation is
needed. To be sure a session Of the
Kansas legislature without railroad
legislation will be something OF
a great novelty for heretofore the rail-
roads have furnished a great amount
of fruit for legislative activity. But,
rs stated, no railroad legislation is now
needed nor should any be undertaken.
The relations between the railroads and
the people Of Kansas are fast becoming
better and more friendly every day
The people OF the state are enjoying a
two cent fare and will continue to do
so unless the courts declare otherwise
There are numerous unjust and ex-
cessive freight rates now in force but
this matter has been taken up by the
board of railroad commissioners and
the matter should be left in their hands
to see how 1t will be worked out.
A direct primary, a bank deposit
guarantee law and amendments to the
tax law are the emergencies for which
Governor Hoch called the special ses-
sion. 1t is the duty of the legislators
to handle these subjects and these
alone, except possibly some minor mat
tiers that may be deemed necessary, in
prompt and judicious manner. Their
doing so will merit the applause of
their constituents and a hearty well
dOne'I will be extended to them