The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-02
KANSAS COMAENT
A CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY,


There is one duty that the state leg
lsIature which meets next January
owes to itself to perform-the redis-
trlcting of the state into representative
districts in accord with the constitu-
Ilohai provision on that subject. A
iaWmaking body that refuses to obey
the organic law of the state itself is
asking good deal of the people of
the state when it expects them to obey
otner laws which it enacts. Political
considerations have prevented the ap-
port!onment to which certain counties
OF the state are entitled, and which
the constitution enjoins, and these
should not be permitted longer to in
fiuence the legislature to openly flaunt
the constitution
Ten counties in the western part of
the state have five representatives
among them, the weSternmoSt coun-
ues being attached for legislative pur-
poses to those Immediately east, half
tnese counties being thus deprived half
the time of the representation in the
legislature guaranteed them by the
/ constitution. This arrangement was
mace by common consent several
years ago, when the fact that these
counties were very sparsely settled was
made the excuse for such apportion-
ment. But these conditions no LONGER
prevail While the counties concern
ed are still not so densely populated
as those farther east, they have yet
did few years ago and show great
er percentage of increase in popula-
ton than any other section of the
state. On these grounds as well as on
constitutional grounds they are en-
titled to a representative each in the
lower house of the legislature.
Senator-elect Glenn of the senatorial
district in which these counties are
located has announced as one of his
purposes at the approaching session
of the legislature to secure, If possible,
legislative reapportionment which
will make effective the constitutional
provision and give these counties the
representation to which they are Justly
entitled. Every consideration of fair
ness and respect for the constitution
argues in favor of a reapportionment
bill and Senator Glenn will not only
be rejecting the wishes of his con-
stituents but simply doing his duty In
working for this legislation. He may
expect the aid of many members of
the legislature from the central and
western part of the state and he
should have the support of all mem
bers, regardless of location, politics or
any other consideration except fair
ness and obedience to the state con-
Hutchinson News.
THE FEUD.
That relic of the middle ages, the
feud, is still to be found in certain
mountainous localities of our south.
where the 1nE1dDIldI1GS nave really SbOOQ
still or drifted backward for century
or two, in everything but knowledge
of firearms. And now it is said this
barbarous method of settling differ
ences. of keeping them unsettled, may
invade the denser- settlements. Nash
vile may have a feud in high circles, it
is said. as result of the Carmack
shooting, There are. many friends of
the late ex-senator who declare pub
licly that the blood of the Coopers, or
Governor Patterson,-shaIl pay for the
life of Carmack. And for everyone of
these Carmack henchmen, there walks
the streets of Nashville an armed man
who insists he is willing to defend the
Coopers or to avepge them If they are
slain. Distance may enlarge this story,
but, from recent happenings in the
south, it isn't hard to believe. The
street duel in which Carmack was
killed was an outrage of which south
erners may we'll be ashamed, but it was
less disgraceful than the fact that all
men who liked one principal better
than the other feel called upon to take
sides.'' The feud, if it should develop, |
will not be as bloody as the talk which |
precedes it, for, even In the south. they
talk more than they shoot But even
such talk is sgraceful.-Atchison
Globe.