The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-08

laws, desire to make few unofficial
and nOnpartisan suggestions.
The proposed amendment of our con-
stitution increasing the compensation
of members of the legislature having
been lost at the recent election, should
l think be resubmitted in another
form. Every one who has given the
least consideration to this matter
understands that the compensation is
wholly Inadequate and the time al
lowed for session insufficient. A time
limit, however, is wise provision and
doubtless many votes that were cast
against the amendment were SO cast
because the proposition if adopted
would wipe out the time limit of the
sessions. Whether there is reason
for it or not, many people fear too
much legislation, hence believe a time
limit essential. If proposition should
be submitted to increase the time of
the regular session from fifty to sew
enty-five days, and allowing the leg
iSlature to fix the compensation of its
members under a fair maximum linn
itation fixed in the proposed amend
ment, it might be regarded with favor
and adopted. Since two amendments
have been defeated it is clear that the
people favor a time limit and would
rather leave it too short than to re-
move it entirely.
1t is very generally believed that the
laws T0ldLlnS TO marriage anu ulNOEC0
should be amended so as to reduce to
the minimum the divorce business of
the courts. Certainly something should
be done to check the divorce evil in
Kansas. 1t seems to me that a pro-
vision requiring publicity of the inten-
ton to marry. for sixtysso ninety days.
the prohibiting the marriage without
evidence of due publication, would
discourage and prevent most mar
riages between immature or objec-
tionable persons. ] am sure that most
lawyers and judges will agree that a
majority of the divorces come from
inconsiderate and i'll advised mar
riages. The legislative requirement
of publicity would of itself in some in
stances discourage the attempt where
there are valid objections, while the
actual publication would give notice
and time for advice. The effect of
such a provision would surely be
beneficial to society.
To further discourage and correct
the divorce evil I would if I could,
make the man who abandons a wife
and children without good cause liable
criminally. If such an act should be
regarded as class legislation, I would
make it apply to both man and wife.
There could be no valid objection to
this for the woman rarely voluntarily
deserts her children.
Gun-toting is another evil that
merchant who sells pistols, daggers
or knucks should be required to make
| and keep a register of each sale in the
same manner as is required in the sale
of poisons. This would tend to dis
courage purchases while the blood is
| hot or the mind meditating crime.
The inheritance tax law of 1905
| should be materially modified. Kan
sas is too young for such law. The
| men and women who have wrought
! out this wonderful development of our
state in so short time and under
such difficulties ought to be allowed
to say how their savings should be
disposed of without special taxes i'm
posed by the state. The aceumu1a.
lions of the great majority of fam
| lilies in Kansas are more needed aftel
| the mind that managed the estate
| is. silent than before. If the Law
should be so amended as to apply only
| to collateral SUGGESTIONS it would b,
defensible. There is no warrant Of
justification for this law as written
The state has ample sources for OBJ
tanning it's revenue without burdens
! upon the family because the manag
ing head is removed by death.
| CASE FREDERICK.
Holton, Kan, Dec. Z, 1910.