The Globe-republican., 1893-02-10
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10. 1893.
The Railroads Strictly in 1T.

Sepate and house. regardless Of politics,
is in favor of cutting down freight
rates and if they should get together
b.fore the session ends an act making
sweeping reduction will be passed py al
overwhelming majority. There Is no
probability. however, that they VIII gel
tooelber. The republicans have organ
lied the legal house of representatives
and they know it is the only constltu-
tional house. The pOpulist members
know this fact. Gov. Lewelling knows
If All who witnessed the days pro-
ceediugs when the legislature organized
know which house followed the piaih
mandates of the law and which so-calleu
bouse il was that proceeded In an un-
lawful manner. \ few people through
out the state unfamiliar with out statutes
NAV be in doubt concerning the NATTER
but the leaders at Topeka have no DOUBT
in their own minds on this question.
Therefore if the officers and members
of the regular organization surrender
they will not only forfeit their own sell
respect. but merit and receive the con-
tempt of their political opponents as
well. Furthermore, their constituents
have spoken with no uncertain so"hu'
and even if republican members were IN
clined to abandon the legal house III the
interest OF harmony. the storm OF IN
dionation which would Overwhelm them
on returning to their homes would deter
them from doing so. But they are not
so inclined. Even Senator German s
instructions to offer anything in the git
of tbe administration to induce. SUI
,ticjent number of those holding certifl-
Gates TO go over to the rump house ana
makes quorum has failed to tempt one
member from his post of duty.
With the populist house it is differ
.ent. The constituents OF members
know their representatives have tram
pled underfoot the laws of the state IN
effecting an organization without the
necessary number of members holding
certificates of election. Their devotion
TO marty causes many of them to excuse
the illegal acts on the ground that II Is
in some way for the sake of the party
this irregular step has been taken. Ii
the leaders at any time conclude TO enc
this farce and return to regularly estab-
lished legal methods, their constituents
would say s.well done. we are with you.
The practical question now comes ul
as TO the effect of the governor and Sen
ate refusing to cooperate with the con-
stitutional house in legislating for the
state. and what can be the motive ln'
,spiring such actions. The effect of it Ii
now clearly apparent.
There will be no legislation passee
that can be enforced against any ont
who resists the enforcement Thereon
Railroads need not be bound by any leg
islation which does not conform to thel
wishes, and no reduction of freight rate
can be made in Kansas for two Ions
wears to come if this thing continues.
When A murder has been committed
and evidence is required to cOnvlct I'M
guilty. the first point to establish is''wh'
was benefited by the death OF the vic
,im.' There are those who claim tina
the governor and a few leaders hav
been ..seen'' and are now being worked
nv railroad interests to prevent the en-
actment of any valid laws. We do no
know whether there is any truth in tbl
charge. but when we come to apply tn
test above referred to and ask who VII
he benefited by the governor aud stat
senate refusing to do business with In
legally constituted house of representa-
sives. we find nobody is benefited bu
the railroads. The peoples party vii
not gain any advantage by it. III
farmer will certainly not receive an
benefit from failure to pass valid laws
This tangle has been the only posslbl
method that could have been adopted
give the railroads of Kansas two NOR
wears of freedom from legal interference
with freight rates. Thanks to Governo
Lewelling and the senate for runnin
their grist of laws through an illeg'
house these corporations will have an
other two years of fatness. 1t mean
millions more added to their overflowin
Golfers than would have been earned ha
Lewelling recognized the constitutions
house and given the representatives
the people a chance to pass some consti
tutienal enactments.
Here in Ford county the failure to Sc
cure lower freight rates will be in
measure compensated by railroad i'm
provements and renewed activity
construction which is certain to resu
from great prosperity of Kansas raj
roads.
In fact it may turn out to our advar
tage, as NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. boom wi
not only give us the X. p. & W. and
Missouri Pacific connection from Ink
b,,t ouife likely result in the cOuStructiO