The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1893-09-13


was in your place would save my political
bacon by breaking with the republican caucus
and combine" Pretty good lswyer-like advice
Let us go still further. You so back with me
three years ago, and you will find that the Pop
ulists there and then had the house Of repre-
sentatives, that the senate was republican.
That upon that occasion the senate, controlled
by the Santa Fe railroad company, prohibited
the enacting Of any law In the interests Of the
people. The people OF the state Of Kansas
directed their attention to this fact. What was
the result? But one member Of that body was
returned, that was Senator McTaggart, OF Mont
gomery county.
The Peoples party throughout the state Of
Kansas, during that campaign, directed their
attention to the senate, jumping at the conclu
sion that we had the house; and watching the
canvass and everything pertaining TO the sem
ate, this returning board stepped in and got
just enough certificates to give them what they
saw tit to call a majority Of the lower house
We had decision Of the supreme court. Yes,
our republican friends say they were sustained
by the supreme court OF the state Of Kansas
What kind of a case was that? Did you ever
have it explained? The first time one Of them
jumps on you about that. just ask them the
question, who was Gum? The time he was ar
rested by the sergeant-at-arms OF the Douglass
house was he q laboring man and a member Of
the Populist party? No, sir; he was a high
toned cleEk and a democrat, and worked for
railroad democrat at Parsons. There was an
understanding and scheme by the NJ. X & I.
railroad officers that he should be arrested
that railroad and the Santa Fe and Rock Is
land were to standby and see this man pro-
tected. How was he punished, who paid the
costs? ask my republican friends. Then what
else? Yes, we had decision. Did 1t ever
occur to you that the very members Of that
supreme court that rendered that decision,
one of them, mean the chief justice, was in
the habit, for political effect only OF telling In
advance just what his decision would be upon
certain political questions? II you think that
is not true, let me call up Bill Hackney again
TOUCHING THE SUPREME COURT.
"Mr Hackney, are you acquainted with Chief
Justice Horton, of Kansas"
"Yes, sir"
"Did you ever, when delegate in q republi-
"
Justice Horton and Associate Justice Valen.
tine as to what their decision would be upon
certain political question:"
"Yes, sir, did"
SWELL tell US all about that, IL you please"
~ don't like to-"
"When was it, at least say that, won't your"
ayes that was in 1882, believe"
There were three candidates for associate
justice Of the supreme court. Among others
was L. S. Torrance, an attorney and citizen Of
Winfield at that time, and judge Of the Thir.
teenth judicial district, and we were ahead.
Somebody in the convention suggested, just
before adjournment at night II you nominate
Torrance, the democrats will nominate Hurd,
and we will get beat. Bill Hackney was boss
Of the Torrance element. lie said, "WhO has
been talking to Judge Horton" Horton was
in favor Of W. A. Johnston, one Of the present
associate justices. Bill says, using an epithet
and oath, al will go and see him." and down
he went and took two fellows with him. They
walked into the private chamber OF Chief JUS
tice Horton, and Associate Justice Valentine
was called in the room, the door was closed,
the walls could not talk, there were no ears
that could hear what was being said within,
and in a conversation Chief Justice Horton
told Mr. Hackney and his two friends: "If
you nominate Torrance, we will decide that
under the constitution he cannot hold the
office, and that will let Hurd in. Better back
out and vote for w. A. Johnston" 1t nomi-
mated Johnston. Torrance and Winfield went
down. Johnston went on the supreme bench,
and has been there ever since, and will stay
there until next fall. II you don't believe that,
all you have got to do is to call upon W. p.
Hackney and ask him II such 8 conversation
almost word for word, didn't take place be-
tween him and Chief Justice Horton the time
I have tnantionad