The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-03
AFRAID OF IT.
House Refuses to Pass a Nom
partisan Bill.
Provided for Taking Co. Super
intendents Out of Politics.
IN A KILLING MOOD.
Matson's Bill Protecting Non
Game Birds Slaughtered.
Fire Escape Law Is FavOrably
Considered.
A KILLING MOOD.

The bill by Amrine of Morris pro-
vtding that party nominations for the
Office of county superintndent of pub
lie instruction are hereby abolished,
and in lieu thereof all persons having
the qualifications required by law for
the Office of county superintendent
may file independent nomination
papers as independent candidates
was defeated by the house Tuesday
afternoon in committee of the whole.
The first blow at the bill was de-
livered by Shideler of Crawford when
he moved to amend it by including
the Office of state superintendent in
the non partisan list. The amend
ment was carried after both a yea and
nay and rising vote. Then Mercer of
Chase moved to amend the bill fur
Their by adding the offices of probate
Judge and governor. but this was
voted down. The bill was killed
when MitchelIs motion to strike out
the enacting clause carried.
Amrine made a strong speech in
behalf of his measure and the need of
removing county school officers from
politics, but all to no purpose.
The house was in a bad humor and
it did not require much of a stimulant
to incite it to the murder of a bill.
Out of some dozen bills presented in
committee of the whole during Tues
day only eight safely passed the bat
teries.
1t was too bad that the bill by
Matson for the protection of nom
game birds and their eggs and nests
should have persisted with the rest of
the Inflated bills. The measure
was no reason for voting that it be
not passed. The committee of the
whole favored the bill and was pre-
pairing to recommend it when Matson,
IL
got up and said the wrong thing at
the wrong time and pouf! his bill
had gone up in smoke. The wind
veered and his boat was driven on the
rocks roc Too bad: It is possible that
house Thursday in the face of the
recommendation of the committee of
the whole.
Johnson's bill relating to public
health and safety and providing for
tells, especially as regards fire escapes,
was favorably considered. Also the bill
for annual conference of the state and
local boards of health. Also the bill
to preserve the waters of the state and
the bill by Morgan of Hodgeman, pro-
viding for the dammIng of draws and
dry water courses in certain highways.
Mitchelrs bridge bill providing that
whenever the board of county COM
lnissioners of any county having a pop
ulation of more than 10000 shall de-
termine that any bridge is necessary to
be built, the cost of which will exceed
s.. 600. exclusive of the approaches there
to, they shall, before making any ap-
preparation therefor, submit the Ques-
tion to the qualified voters of the coun-
ty, at a general election, was favorably
considered.
Mr.. Matson got through his bill for
the protection of health and safety of
employees operating street and inter-
urban cars.
The house worked hard all day Tues
day on bills and accomplished a great
deal. The debate on these measures
was warm but no long speeches con-
stunned the time. There We're one or two
rows over bills and amendments there
to, but they were short. Therefore it
can be said that the house, after work.
ing seven hours Saturday and eight
hours Monday and Tuesday is entitled
10 its holiday today spent at Manhattan
inspecting the State Agricultural col
1ege.