The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-22

an must be filed with tfhe county clerk
before he can grant such license. A fine
of $25 stares the pool hall keeper in
the face who violates the provisions of
this act
Boyd. Democrat, Republic, does not
seem to like the new tax law. He has
introduced a bill in the house that does
away with the tax commission entirely
and creates a state board of equaliza-
ton to be composed of the lieutenant
governor, secretary of state, state
treasurer, state auditor and attorney
general. County assessors are again
clothed with their old powers of as
sesslng property at discretion, or rath-
er at random. In fact this bill is a
direct return to the old state of af-
fairs 1t is doubtful if even the mi
nority members will support this meas
ure solidly. even if they did attack the
new tax law in the last campaign.
Boyd has another bill, this one re-
lating to garnishee laws and proceed
lngs. The measure is long and ram
bling and affords no particular protec-
ton to the plaintiff in a garnishee case
nor does it grant additional justice and
equity to the unfortunate workingman
who may fall into the clutches of the
Philistines.
Ravenscraft has introduced a bill
fraternal and secret societies in the
high schools and colleges of the state
The bill provides that the trustees.
boards of education or boards of all
educational institutions in Kansas shall
deny all students belonging to these
fraternal societies the privileges of
their schools or colleges. Failure to
enforce this mandate is punishable by
fine of $100 to $500 for each offense.
Buckman of Cowley introduced a
bill in the house today amending the
primary election law which he got
through to third reading under the
emergency clause and it was referred
to the elections committee for report
next Monday. The measure provides
for an important change in the law.
1t would abolish the enactive clause
of the primary law as it applies to
cities of 10000 population and less.
bling these cities to hold their city
elections next spring under the old
election law rather than the primary
law for the reason that the expense is
less, and convenience and practicable
ity are more applicable under the old
law as the primary places these
city politics. Many people living in
these cities all over the state will
doubtless favor this amendment as the
primary law works hardship on these
small towns when it comes to holding
municipal election.
The tempest in a tea pot of last We'd
nesday over the number of house en-
ployes has simmered down to such an
extent that the report of the committee
on employees today to the effect that
the number be increased to fifty-two
instead of being cut from the original
number of forty-four, was adopted
without any comment whatever. The
house is tired of the wrangle over en-
ployes and it might be said here that
the public is also tired of the same
subject.
The Ravenscraft bill to abolish fra
ternities and sororities, not only in The
high schools, but in the state educa-
tional institutions, including the uni
versity. has been introduced in the
house and will make the students in
the higher halls of learning "sit up and
take notice." The bill is hardly likely
to become law for the reason that it
goes too far. There are many who
believe that these organizatiO in the
high schools of the state have caused
legitimate criticism, but who will not
look with favor upon a bill so drastic
as the Ravenscraft measure. The fra
ternal spirit in the universities and col
leges is an important and valuable
part of the college life when observed
as it should be. 1t should not, of
not when followed in the right spirit.
BY far the greater number of promf-
nent men, with college educations,
have been members of fraternities
This is true of President Roosevelt and
of President-elect Taft and hundreds
of the prominent statesmen and men
of affairs in this country.