The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-07
Senate Kills "Over Draft :" Bill
in Short Order.
Penalty Was a Five Year Term
in Prison.
AN ABUSE OF RIGHTS,
Senator Carey Says He Objects
to Losing Privileges.
New Fee and Salary Bill Ready
for Consideration.

The pet banking bill of the session,
which provided a penitentiary sentence
for persons who distribute checks, was
slaughtered in the senate this morn
ing when that body voted to strike
out everything after the enacting
| clause. In it's original bill the COM
mittee on banks and banking provided
five year sentence or fine not to ex-
ceed $1,000 for Notwithstanding
checks when there is no money in the
bank to meet them.
When the bill was read, it did not
create the expected enthusiasm. Sena-
tor Carey, the millionaire salt packer,
vowed that he enjoyed the customary
overdraft privilege in Hutchinson and
did not want his rights abused. Den
ton, of Elk county, declared he had
been engaged in the banking business
a quarter of a century and had never
lost a dollar on the overdraft column.
He said his Overdraft customers were
the ones who ultimately put the in
stitution on a I~ying basis and that
the habit should not be discouraged by
freak legislation.
Senator Fowler, of Russell county,
seldom talks, but this morning he con-
tributed ten inch vein of oratory and
declared that the provision of the bill
We're erroneous. Cambern, of Neosho,
and Senator Quincy, of Saline told of
the merits of the measure; but the
majority of the members called at
tentiOn to the merits and advantages of
an occasional overdraft and refused to
support the measure. When Robertson
wanted the bill referred to the judic-
| larry committee, Cambern declared that
he preferred death in the electric chair
| to slow strangulation and made the
motion which killed the bill.
|
In a resolution offered this morning,
| Senator Price. OF Clark county, ques-
tions the alleged reductions in insur-
| ance rates in Kansas and asks the in
Surance commissioner to furnish the
upper house with information. Price
asks information on the practical work
ings of the present statutes and de-
mands to know If the fire and light
! gardless of the many statements that
| reductions were ordered.
Information has come from some
of the members" reads the petition,
"that the rate has been increased on
business houses, merchandise stocks
and manufacturing concerns through
out the state and that SO in premiums
are paid by the holders of fire insur-
ance policies for every dollar paid in
losses by the insurance companies. It
is also urged that the rates are higher
on practically all risks than they were
before the San Francisco fire in 1906,
and this body would like to be fully
advised with reference to these matters,
which are of such vital Importance to
all the people of the state, with the
view of enacting all reasonable laws
which may result beneficially to the
people. This body would like to know
whether it is not possible under exist
| ing laws to scale down the present
rate to some appreciable extent in the
interest of the people without injustice
| to the insurance COmDanloS,
The committee on fees and salaries
have almost completed the prepara-
ton of the new fee and salary bill and
this measure may be offered Wednes-
day morning on the floor of the senate.
The bill provides a salary of $500
a year for the county treasurer, with
an additional 81 a year for each 100
inhabitants of the county not exceed
ing 20, O00 population. In counties
over 10000 the rate is fixed at SO a
year for each 100 inhabitants
The county attorney is allowed an
annual salary of $500 and. SIS a year
each 100 inhabitants in counties not
exceeding 10000 population. In ex-
cess of this population, the fee is 81
above the 10000; providing the total
salary does not exceed $4,000 year.
A salary for assistants equal to two
thirds of the salary of the county at
torney is allowed the office.
The clerk of the court is to be given
a salary of $400 a year, with an addi-
tional Sc a year for each 100 inhab-
ftants.
County clerks shall receive an an
nual salary of $500 a year and 81 for
each 100 inha bitants.
Sheriffs shall be paid $500 a year
and $40 for each 100 inhabitants of
the county, providing the salary does
not exceed $4,000 year. The sheriff
will be allowed actual cost for board
| inc ri
providing the official does not ride on
a pass; which is at present being fur
nished to the Kansas sheriffs by the
railroads.
The probate judge under the new
bill will be allowed an annual salary
4 of $500 year and $4 for each 100
inhabitants of his county, providing his
annual salary does not thereby exceed
$4,000 a year.
Registers of deeds are to be allowed
a salary of $500 with SO for each 100
inhabitants and clerk hire equal to SO
for each 100 residents of the county.
No provision has yet been made for
the office of county superintendent
and this section will be completed at
a meeting to be held this evening.
The bill also provides that all fees
shall be paid to the officials at the
time the service is rendered and that
this money shall be paid to the county
treasurer; and that all salaries shall
be paid to the county officials in
monthly installments- The new bill
if passed, would become effective in
. 1918, after the new officials take their
oath of office.
The tangle in cities of the first class
concerning the election of judges an6
| clerks of the city courts was straight.
| ened out this morning by the passage
of a bill making these officials elective
at the general election. In a recen
| decision the supreme court held tha
women had no right to vote on thest
offices and the bill passed today make.
the city court officials elective in No