The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-01

Seven weeks on the high seas of
legislative procedure have netted the
state two laws of general concern.
Perhaps this is fine for the state as
it is generally conceded we have too
many laws. Seventy-one other enact
merits have gone thru the house and
senate. Seventy of these bills have
been signed by the governor or are
lying on his desk. They affect every
thing from the legal manner of ship
ping COW hides to the semi-annual cut
ting of weeds in abandoned cemeteries.
With the end of the 1919 session not
yet in sight, it is today apparent that
the legislature is quite certain to yet
produce bounteous crop of laws. A
week ago it seemed the legislature
would fold its tent and go home in
two weeks To day it looks as tho
the legislature had fallen in love with
Topeka.
No Adjournment Period.
No one knows when the session will
end. No one seems to particularly
care. The SHOWS have made it impos-
sible to show real estate. The law
business is only passing good. anyway.
And all the wise farmers know that
the frost may not be out of the ground
for another month or SO. One mem
ber-Cloud of Kingman-is an ice
man and he can stay until May.
Session ENDS Wednesday.
According to the prescribed and es-
tablished custom of counting legisla-
tive time, the fifty day session will
end next Wednesday night. After
that time the legislators must dig down
in their own pockets-such as have
not already done so-and pay for food
and room rent and street car fare
from the cash drawer of their private
business or profession. Such practice
i 10 of q
Kansas legislature. But as yet no one
has whimpered. There has been no
resolution setting the time for ad-
journment
None of Governor Aliens original
suggestions and plans have yet beer,
enacted into law. Maybe the coming
of spring would arouse new sentiments
and emotions and soften the hearts of
the legislators.
Two Important Laws.
There are two laws of really state
wide concern which are ready for the
statute books. One is the Barrier
Montee bill providing that the at
to- ey general shall have inquisitionai
powers in trust Investigations. The
second new law repeals the old tax re-
bate act.
A bill of concern to returning SOL
! appointments. Another gives then.
special privileges in the coming
municipal primaries and enables, them
to win office before they get home.
Important Amendments Passed.
The house has adopted three reso-
| lutions covering proposed amend
ments to the constitution and sent
them to the senate. There is scarce a
chance for the constitutional conven-
| ton or farm tenantry provisions at
/ tits ~nSsion.
In the number of new laws, the leg
| islature is practically on an equal
! Nting with the sessi. / of 1917. Al
| this time two years ago IS laws had
| been enacted as against 73 at this
time. In 1917 a total of 1901 bills
had been introduced as against 1855
| for this session. House and senate
/ committees. tho, had slaughtered 63S
bills as against a mortuary record for
this year of 345. In spite of the fact
that there were fewer bills this ses-
| sion than last, there are 301 measures
! now in committees-an even hundred
more than two years ago.
! Both houses are in session today
BY agreement action is limited toslocal
bills. 1t is the first Saturday session
| for the senate since the session openeo.