Opinions

The Emporia News of March 6, 1868, headlined a story entitled The Candle-Box Under the Woodpile — How it was Discovered.

We are at the halfway point of the general session for the legislature. Committee meetings finished on Monday. The rest of the week was spent in session on the floor of the House considering bills passed from committees so far. The governor’s plan for KPERS was among the first bills we debated.

During a recent legislative coffee in Ellsworth, retired pharmacist and University of Kansas graduate Terry Kepka raised the issue of state dollars for regent universities.

“Eleven years ago, this morning (Feb. 22, 1868) the writer stood on the high land ... and looked for the first time upon the beautiful valley of the Cottonwood, thinking then as now that a lovelier scene never filled the eye of a lover of nature.

The week started with 250 4-H’ers from across the state coming to Topeka for Citizenship in Action. They have been working on their own community conversations with the Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy at Kansas State.

A recent whirlwind trip took me to both Gettysburg and Washington, D.C. in the same week. Both sites were good places to reflect on people, politics and the ideals that guide our actions. There is something profound about visiting the battlefields of Gettysburg.

A reader approached us this past week to ask why, in a recent story about Ellsworth attorney Patrick Hoffman seeking a commission seat, we had failed to identify his party affiliation. It was intentional. How does the old saying go ... government closest to voters is the best government.

At the close of the Civil War in 1865, a lot of young men were left without a means to make a living. During the war the act of taking private property by combatants was common practice. Foraging, as it was called, kept the troops supplied.

Committee work continued to be at the forefront of activity in the Kansas House. Several issues are now working their way out of committees for consideration on the House floor. The governor’s KPERS plan was voted out of the pension committee.

Letter to the Editor: We are constantly told how strong the economy is. In every case, I am aware of, the statement is based on the stock market which includes the wealthy and upper-middle class.