The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-05
Danger COnfrentS State Banks
Over the State.
Constitution Says Institutions
Must Be Taxed.
TOPEKA'S OFFER IN PRINT
State Fair Literature Is Dis
tributed Today.
Other Items of Interest in the
Upper House.

1t is predicted by Bale Waggener
senator from Atchison, that some day
a Jealous court will enforce pro
vision in the constitution of the state
of Kansas and as result 900 state
banks will be thrown into the junk
heap; financially and physically. 1t Is
argued by Senator Waggener that this
is one of the reasons it is absolutely
necessary that a constitutional con-
vention be held in this state and the
laws receive editing, changing and re-
writing.
The constitutional measure affecting
the state banks is this: The law states
that all the property employed in the
state banking system including notes
bill discounts, etc, are to be taxed.
But the law has remained idle for
years-the courts have no disposition
to prod il into use.
1T is there" said Senator Wasgen-
er land the state banks are confront
ed with the probability that some day
the law will be enforced. National
banks do not come in under this rul-
ing. The legislature never has at
tempted to comply with the constitu-
ton in this respect"
This is one of the reasons that Bale
Waggener believes Kansas should call
a constitutional convention and wipe
out the old useless laws and draft
new measures to conform with the
states prosperity and growth
day the senate killed by a-Vote of / 9
to 20 the Waggener constitutional
amendment providing for conven-
ton to bring Kansas laws up to date.
Later the veteran Democratic leader
from Atchison changed his vote, that
he might bring up the resolution for
reconsideration. The fight is not lost,
by any means.
James A. Troutm2n, senator from
Shawnee, was the most damaging enc
Of tfn
Senator Troutman fought it from
many standpoints and made azforceful
speech against the plan.
He estimated that it. would cost the
state 100000 to handle the conven-
ton. He brought up conventions in
other states that lasted twelve months
and cost a million dollars He pre-
dicted that the courts would be flood
ed with litigation following a change
in the constitution and pleaded with
the senator's to allow Kansas to live
under her present constitution for a
time at least.
Eight states have lived under the
same constitution for so years and fiji
teen. states have been satisfied with
the same constitution for so years.
see no reason for Kansas to com piain,e
was one of his arguments. .~-
Senator Waggener made a convincing
talk in favor of his resolution--he held
the attention of the senate for twenty
m1nuIeS-anQ l.
The Democratic leader-could not hold
together his own party, however, and
the resolution fell far from receiving
a two-thirds vote.
The vote:
Ayes-Bowman. Carey. Carney,
Davis, Denton. Kinds. Howe. Joseph.
Klein Lambertson. Logan, Nighswon-
ger. Nixon, Price. of Greenwood;
Shouse. Sutton. Trott. Waggener, Will
Jams. of Jefferson.-20.
Nays-Gray. Huffman. King. NIahin.
Malone Mcmillan. Meek, Overfield,
Paulen. Pauley. Price, of Clark Simp-
son, Porter, Stavely. Stillings, Trout
man, Wilson, of Washington; Wolf
10. ---=s-..-.~-
The state fair literature has appear
ed in the senate. On every senator's
desk this morning was a circular tell
ing of the advantages of the Topeka
state fair and the reasons Kansas
should place her seal on the EXPOSE
ton in this city; The folder written
Commercial club. and H L: Cook
secretary of the state Fair association,
is illustrated and well written.
After pointing out that Topeka Of
fair ground valued at $3.50, 900 and
$50, 900 in cash for the first two years
maintenance, the circular says:
Splendid offer if the state contem-
pldlSS gums .Ahlo liAeS AdlA puSlueSS-
Every legislator should visit the To-
peka fair grounds, eight blocks south
of the capitol building, paved streets
and double track street railway to en-
trance. Easy walking distance. The
best equipped fair grounds in the
west. Eight acres of fine land almost
in the central part of the city. Fire
proof buildings Blue grass sod-n@
sand Fifteen acres fine large timber
for camping purposes. Best one-haIf
mile track in the west. City sewer
under the grounds and track. City