The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1877-03-22
TOPEKA AND LEAvENwORrm.

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TOPEKA AND LEAvENwORTM.
The Topeka Cdmmonrean Of Sunday
morning copies spprovingly, from the Pa
ola Spirit, the following item in regard to
the matter Of public buildings:
The bill appropriating $4,000 for United
States court House, at Topeka, passed the
tee. II transpires that the opposition of Con-
gresham Phillips killed the bill. He opposed
II because no provision was made for like
building at Leavenworth. Thus, on account
of a petty squabble between two towns, Kan
sas Is to lose the benefit Of a commodious gov
eminent building in which TO hold United
States courts, and ho;sse United States Off
Gals The truth about the matter is that the
state capitol is the place for the United States
Court House, and We fear Col. Phillips oppO-
rather factious by the people of the state at
large. Nebraska, with about one-third our
population, has a fine government building,
at Lincoln, because her people united anu ae-
Leavenworth, through Col. Phillips, acts the
dog-in- the-manger. Col. Phillips zeal In be-
half Of Leayenworth, Is somewhat suPerser-
resentative Of the whole state, and not OF the
interests OF one little neck Of woods. IL Is evil
dent that unless We choose between the two,
other states. Hence, We choose the capital as
the most convenient, and likely 10 satisfy the
greatest number Of people.
The sel6.hness o; Topeka is magnificent.
At the last session Of the Legislature, and
when the question Of making appropria-
tions for the bene6. Of the insane was under
consideration, it was stated by those who
had investigated the matter thoroughly
land the statement agrees with good COM
mon) that 100000 appropriated 10 COM
plete the asylum at 0ssawatomie would
enable that institution to receive and care
for at least two hundred mere patients,
with but little Increase in current expenses;
and that by An appropriation Of $4,000
for an addition to the building in course Of
construction at Topeka, about twenty
patients could be accommodated there by
duplicating the present running expenses OF
the Oseawatomie institution. 1t was ap-
parent that but one of these institutions
could get an appropriation, and with the
fact in view that masing the appropriation
for Topeka would accommodate compar-
atively small number Of patients. would
double the current expenses Of the state
in providing for the insane, and would A.
ford no relief to the large number of unfor-
tunates now confined in the different county
jails-yet the result was an appropriation
for Topeka, secured through Topeka efforts
and influence result which can have no
other meaning than a purpose to build up
city at the expense Of the state.
Ard the policy which Topeka is pursu-
ing in regard to public buildings means
the same thing. 1. is well-known that if
the Topeka influence had been willing to
have appropriations for Leavenworth and
Topeka both, such appropriations could
have been had, but she would not consent
to it.
The population Of the state is rapidly in
creasins, and the centre is swinging to the
west and south. The question will soon
have to be met As to the division OF Kansas
into two q. 8. judicial districts; with the
rapidly increasing business Of the state, it
would be folly to say that We shall not, in
. few years, have two districts-the one
north OF the river and the other south, or
an eastern and western district, and whether
the line lie drawn east and west or north and
south, it is 1t least probable that Topeka
will thereafter have no occasion to
trouble herself about providing sccommo-
dations for U. S. courts, for it is not at all
necessary that the court should be held at
the capital of the state. Indeed, it is the
exception rather than the rule, that such
buildings are located at the capital. The
business Of the court is governed in great
degree BY the commercial business Of the
people, and as a result the government
buildings are generally located at the COM
mercial centres. In Ohio the U. s. courts
are held at Cincinnati and Cleveland, in
Wisconsin the public buildings are at Mil
waukee, in Michigan at Detroit, in New
York at New York City, in Pennsylvania
At Philadelphis and Pittsburgh, and, 10
short, in nearly all the states, the U. s.
courts are located at the principal CONNER
cixl cities, without reference to the loca-
ton Of the state capitals.
Already, litigants in this state sometimes
have to travel hundreds Of miles 70 attend
the Federal court, and every year will make
this Inconvenience more keenly felt. Nov,
that one Of the places for holding these
courts will be north and the other
south of the Kansas river, is con-
ceded, whether the state be d.
vided into eastern and western or north
ern and southern districts, it is not only
right and proper for Mr.. Phillips to insist,
when appropriations for such buildings are
made, that one Of them should be north Of
the river, in his district, but it is his duty
to his constituents, and Topeka may learn,
in the course of time. tia. it would have
been better for her 10 have assisted
him, rather than TO have defeated
both appropriations by her oppo,ition 10
Leavenworth, thus placing herself in po-
sition where, after the state il divided, she
will have to take the chances Of having the
court Of her district located at Font Scott,
EmpOria, junction CITY, or some point in
the southwest.