The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-22
1918 SESSION is


even party lesh. 1t may be
mildly interested in the actions
of the 1917 legislature, but is not
to pursue its course. Nor can it di-
rect the activities of the 1921 legis-
1ature. Then it decided to do just
about as it pleased. And up to this
time this decision has been almost
religiously observed.
Pass 56 Ordinary Bills.
Six weeks of the legislature have
gone into history. In those six weeks
the governors office has been flooded
current and joint resolutions that
fixed and established several things
that are usually fixed and established
by the legislature-such as funds for
stamps and telephone and telegraph
for the members. Then it fixed the
time when introduction of bills would
cease. All of these things went to the
governor for his signature. Being
new governor and seeking to be pa
tient, Governor Allen inquired politely
when some of his own measures were
coming from the legislature.
Always there has been, hope. But
never yet has there been anything to
sign. Several times the legislature
clouded up and threatened to pass
something for the governor. But it
/ was the rain that didn't come when
the corn crop needed moisture. And
now there are but two or three weeks
of the session remaining.
In many ways the legislature has
made a record 1t has introduced few
er bills than any law. making body
which has come to Topeka in fifteen
years. 1t is more nearly ready to quit
business at any time than any session
in years. And it has forgotten the
mandates of the governor and the sup
plications of the governors secretary,
his advisers and confidants with i'm
punity.
Wednesday Constitutional Day.
NeSt Wednesday is the last call to
the dining car. Wednesday the house
takes up the proposed amendments to
the state constitution-all of them.
Everything from farm tenantry to
home rule for cities, tax reform, three
fourthS jury Verdicts and more pay for
the legislature. will be considered. Out
of the bunch of a dozen proposed
| amendments, the house may select sew
eral proposals to go before the voters
! IN 1870. 1t is from this selection
that the governors chance to win or
| lose with his legislative program will
| he determined.
All appropriation bills will be before
| the legislature early next week. Many
bill appropriating funds needed to
| meet deficits of the former admins
tration have already passed the legis-
i lature. Both houses will seek to clean
up the financial claims at an early
date.
| 1t is probable that appropriations
/ for the next biennium will total be-
| tween 100000 and s15,000,000.
/ Legislators have been faced by a stu
| alton which demands that more money
/ be given for operation of the big in
| stituticns and departments. In order
! to secure efficient help-employes who
! do not rely on 100 per cent political
pull for their jobs-the state must pay
real wages. 1t is to meet this situation
| that a measure will probably come
before the legislature in few days
providing a general increase in existing
! salary schedules.
| May Go Home March s.
| No date has been fixed for final
| adjournment. It is probable tho, that
the two houses will close up their
books ard go home Saturday night.
March s. In that event sine die adj
| journment would proba bly, come We'd
nesdaY, March H. Only legislative Of
| ficers and members of the Shawnee
county delegation would be present
during the closing three days. how
ever, when messages are received from
| the governor.
| The senate adjourned Friday eve
| ming until Monday. The house is
injecting in recess session today in view
OF WaShilgtOn's birthday