The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-05
KANSAS COMNENT
CONGRESS CANNOT sHIRK.

OOl>11IES0 CANNOl S11Hh.
During the financial campaign be-
tween the gold standard and free sill
yer coinage, congressman were just as
anxious to escape the duties as they
seem to be now to avoid tariff respon-
slplIity. They urged and named a BIZ
metallic commission at that time with
q view to satisfying public clamor.
The monetary commission was
Iarce and congress was forced to es-
tablish a sound financial system. Pub
nc clamor ceased when the work was
Wen done and the members s.ood bet
ter with their constituents for their
enforced courage.
There is now a cry on the part of
weak kneed members of congress who
are on the fence-demandiuy FREQ
lumber and taxed hides. for instance
for tariff commission which shall
relieve them of a constitutional duty
and permit them to sail astride The
fence without risk to their balance. a
tariff commission is not needed. 1t
would simply give places to ten o.
more citizens who would draw large
salaries to attempt to do what con
gress is expressly elected to do. This
carry no weight, because Its action
would need to be ratified or rejected
by congress.
The house of representatives is
specifically named as the place where
all revenue measures shall originate.
The constitution says nothing of a
commission to originate tax measures.
and real statesmen would be jealous
of this effort to take from them their
prerogative instead of seeking to have
it done.
The people elect their congressman.
They have no say whatever in select
ing tariff commission, and the only
advantage that could follow this I'M
constitutional method of making laws,
would be to teach the people that a
commission form of government at
Washington might be an advantage.
Let US have a tariff commission, say
of ten members, but let us elect it and
save the unnecessary expenses of 90
senators and several hundred repre-
sentatives, who would pick the COM
MISSION for us.-Wichita Beacon.
STANDS BY THE POOR.
A court of justice is a place where
every citizen whether rich or poor can
get their rights. In order that the poor
man may not be deprived of his rights
because of court expenses the laws OF
Kansas provide that the man who Is
not able to advance the money required
to commence a suit in court may do SO
without paying cent.
When the legislature of California
passed bill allowing either party to
a suit to take change of venue by
making the necessary oath Governor
Gillett refused to sign it and gave the
following reasons:
1.-THE principal reason why have re-
fused to sign the change of venue bill
Is because it gives no show to the poor
man in the courts. For instance, a poor
man has gone to the expense of bring
ing his witnesses Into court for the trial
of a case, jury has been summoned
and counsel retained. Along comes the
other side, very a corporation, and
presents an affidavit for a change of
venue, based on mere statement. The
trial is delayed, another judge is Sc
cured and the plaintiff Is left in the
hole, probably without the funds to
stand for the continuance and the extra
expense of counsel fees and other costs.
L believe that it would work a grave
injustice on the poor Htigants. ''-Wich-
ita Eagle. 81 II