davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28

Governor Lewelling has issued, officially,
a statement of the reasons of his proceed
ings IN recognizing the populist branch of
the house and says the senate was probably
governed by the same considerations. The
statement is lengthy, but the entire case is
set oat in the following:
Every step that has been taken is sus-
tanned by law and precedent, as we'll as by
the decision of the courts relating to such
presidents. The republican contingent has
proceeded in defiance of law, contrary to
every precedent, against the decision of the
courts, and in defiance of the legally consti.
tuted authorities of the state. If it were for
moment granted that their claims were
valid, still the only authority competent un-
der the law to pass upon them has decided
against them. AS law-abiding citizens,
therefore, it is their duty to submit to the de-
tision. and, if they believe an injustice has
been done them, appeal to TIE higher court
the people of the state. Any other course
places them in open rebellion against the
legally constituted authorities of the state
and renders them liable to the penalties in
such cases provided.
1t is my desire that there be no further
complication growing out of this unfortu-
to see that the authority of the state is re-
spected by all citizens, and it must not
longer be disregarded by those who are now
engaged in the illegal proceedings In the
house.
In reply the speaker and speaker pro tenn
of the republican branch of the house issued
a statement denying the truth of certain as
sertions of the governor, and, in going over
the history of the case in hand, maintain
the strict legality of their organization
Their reply concludes:
''If, after a majority of the members of
house have regularly organized and pro-
ceeded to business, minority of SO men,
bers, by first mutilating an official roll and
calling in 10 contestants for seats, can or
ganize house of representatives, then one
member can do SO with the aid of sixty
two contestants, and there is an end to even
the semblance of constitutional government.
If the recognition of the governor and the
senate can make such a body part of the
legislature, there is little necessity of elect
ing house of representatives by the people,
for its political complexion will always be at
the mercy of a partisan governor and par
tisan senate. If anybody had ever supposed
that such was the law, Governor Humphrey
and the republican senate two years ago
might by their mere "recognition' of
minority body have wip2d out the populist
house and created republican house out of
the twenty-five republican members at that
time with the aid of an outside contingent.
Such is not the law, never has been, and
never will be.
"Our struggle is not for party supremacy,
but for the supremacy of law and order. and
for the maintenance of the basic principle
of our government, the right o. the ma ority
to rule. In defense of these we shall con-
tinue to stand, uuawed by governors or SEN
ates, until the courts decide the issue in
yolved. GEO. L. DOUGLASS,
e. w. HoCH,
For the members of the constitutional house.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
In Burning Oil.

ST.. LOUIS, January 24.-The east bound
limited on the G. C. C. & st. Louis railroad,
while moving forty-fve miles an hour en-
tered an open switch at Wann junction,
near Alton. The engineer was burned to
death and several passengers injured. But
the greatest suffering and death dealing oc-
Cured among by-standers. The engine ran
into four tank cars of lubricating oil, two
of which were SCI on fire which enveloped
the train. A crowd of PEOPLE assembled to
aid sufferers when the other two tanks ex-
ploded at the same time, casting flaming oil
over the crowd. great many were burned |;
most of them receiving their worst injuries
about the head and face and many who will
survive will be permanently blind. Six died
at once and score of others were burned,
some of them fatally.
The loss of property by the railroad COM
many Is fully 500. 600
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
No ImpeaChment.

TOPEKA, January 23.-Speaking of the
proposition to take the first appropri alton
bill before the supreme court, Chairman
John W. Breidenthal says: ''The supreme
court will decide this entire controversy
when it gives its opinion as to the validity of
the bills passed by the legislature.
"What will the members of the populist
house do in case the supreme court decides
the bills passed by them are not yalid?" was
asked.
"We have confidence in the supreme
court" he said, land whatever their deci-
sion IS, we will abide by it. If they say our
bills are not valid, we will simply withdraw
our organization and recognize the republi-
can house. This talk about our taken steps
to impeach the supreme court is all non
sense and the people who talk that kind of
stuff are not responsible. If we should eve.
attempt anything of that kind now, every
person in the country would know that it
was simply for political purposes and we
would place ourselves on level with the re-
publicans. We are willing to stand by what
the supreme court does in our case"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28

The two branches of the Kansas house oi
representatives met ct o'clock Monday
afternoon and began business il q way
that indicated that there was an honest
desire to get together. Committees were
appointed by both houses to talk over
the matter and agree upon plan for
settling the trouble, but the joint COM
mitteewas still out at midnight and there is
but:little hope that they will be able to pre-
sent report satisfactory to bosh sides. The
republicans refuse to surrender their organ
ization. The populist proposition, as agreed
upon, in caucus and submitted to the confer
ence committee, is that all the contests IN
the house shall be submitted to special tri-
bunaI of three, consisting of Chief Justice
Horton. Judge C. g. Foster and Associate
Justice Allen, the latter a populist.
The republicans held that the house
of representatives, according to law,
is the sole judge of the qualifications of
it's members, and that, therefore, all the
election contests should be disposed of IN
that body.
Seaton, of Atchison, suggested that the
two houses take a recess and go into an iu-
formal committee of the whole, with one
chairman, satisfactory to both sides, over
the whole body, to discuss the trouble over
organization. The suggestion met with the
approval of both sides, and each house took
a recess for one hour. Representative War
ner, of Cherokee (republican,) called the
meeting to order and moved that A. n.
Wilmington, of Lincoln county, (populist,)
be chairman of the joint caucus, which was
unanimously agreed to.
Walters, of Cherokee, moved that a con.
ference committee of three, to be selected
by each side of the house, be appointed to
present basis of agreement. The commit
tee was appointed as follows:
Cobun of Pratt, Campbell of Stafford,
Ryan of Crawford on the part of the pop
uiists; Warner of Cherokee, Troutman of
Shawnee and Seaton of .Atchison, on the
part of the republicans.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
No State Printer.

Tuesday, the second of the session. the
day set by law for the election of state
printer in joint session of the Kansas legis-
lature, the senate refused to concur IN ths
house concurrent resolution providing for q
joint session to perform that duty.
It is stated that this action was decided
upon in caucus with the intention to not
elect and permit State Printer Snow to hold
over for another term.
The republicans held caucus in the morn
ing to agree upon plan of procedure. The
conference committees appointed Monday
had accomplished nothing and it was de-
clded to persist in the maintenance of the
house organization. A proposition from the
democrats was received offering to trade the
democratic votes with the republicans, the
democrats agreeing to vote for George w.
Crane, the republican nominee for state
printer, if the republicans would agree to
vote for the democratic nominee-yet to be
named-for United States senator.
The republicans declined to agree to the
proposition although many of the lepubli-
cans expressed a willingness to vote for a
democrat, but they did not propose to per-
NIT the five or six democrats who would 60
into such q combination to dictate who they
should vote for.
At 5 o'clock the following resolution was
introduced in the house by MIR. Cubbison,
republican:
Whereas, The lieutenant governor, Percy
Daniels, and the following senators, to-wit:
(naming the populist senators) have neg
lected and refused to meet in joint session
with the duly legally organized house of
representatives at l p. M, Tuesday, the 18th
day of January, 1898, as required by the
constitution and by concurrent resolution
heretofore adopted; and
Whereas, Said lieutenant governor and
said senators still refuse and neglect to meet
the house of representatives as required by
law and concurrent resolution, therefore
be 1t
Resolved, At - p. M, January II, 1893,
that Lucien Baker be, and he is hereby
elected and declared to be presiding officer
of the Joint session of the senate and house
of representatives of Kansas, called for the
purpose of electing state printer,
Immediately after the adoption of this
resolution the republicans of the house and
of the senate held JOINT session, with the
democrats of both bodies acting with them,
and proceeded to the election of a state
printer.
vote was taken in which George w.
Crane received 70 votes: Frank Smith, of
Wichita, 2; Barney Sheridan, of Paola, q;
Armstrong, of Kansas City, 1 total, "a.
If the democrats had all united on Crane
he would have been elected. Populist men,
bers took no part whatever, either of hous
or senate and did not vote.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
Sundrv Senate Bills.

TOPEKA, January Ex-senator Thacher has
introduced bill to allow some Lawrence
parties to prove up claims of loss sustained
in the QuantreI raid.
There is bill before the senate vestlng
the fish commissioner with power to open
the fish ways through the dams on the Kan
sas streams.
If all the bills that have been introduced
providing for courts of appeal were TO be
passed the supreme court could go out OF
business.
Senator Senn's bill, giving the full fran
chise to the women of Kansas, is the same
one that passed the house last year.
Senator Jumper has introduced bill to
reduce the per diem paid to stenographers
in the district court, from Sc to 81, and to
reduce the charges per folio from 10 cents
to cents.
Senator O'Bryan's bill for a court of ap-
peals provides for the formation of five cir
cults and for the election of five judges, with
salaries of $1,000 each per year. The new
courts are to have jurisdiction in civil cases
involving not more than $1,000, and provi-
sion is made for the transfer of cases under
that sum from the supreme court.
The bill introduced by Senator Wilcox
son provides for the appointment of a super
visor of agriculture in each county of the
state. He is to receive So per day during
the time he is at work and is to hold farmers
institutes and in other ways help the farmer
to thorough and scientific understanding
of the science of agriculture.
Senator Reid has bill requiring coal to
be weighed at the mines before it is screened,
to determine earnings of miners.
Senator billiards. bill contemplates the es-
tablishment of two courts of appeal for the
north and south departments of the state.
Each department. including half the state,
is to have three divisions with terms of court
to be held in the north department at Leav-
enworth, Salina and Colby and in the south
department at Fort Scott, Wichita and Gar
den City. There are to be six judges, one
for each division, and the courts ale to have
jurisdiction in cases involving not more
than $1,000.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
Refore Judge Caldwell.

One of the first bills passed at previous ses-
sions of the Kansas Legislature has been an
appropriation bill to pay the members and
officers their salary and per diem. Here is
where the trouble will come in, as it has
been intimsted that the republicans have
made arrangements to lock up. the state
treasury. THIS will be done by having a
nonresident tax payer go before Judge Cald-
we'll in the United States court and COM
mence proceedings enioining Auditor of the
State Van b. Prather and State Treasurer
Slower from issuing or paying any warrants
drawn on them by the populists legislature
on the grounds that it is not legal and con-
stitutional body. This will bring the entire
question in the United States court where it
will have to be settled one way or the other
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
No Investigation Ordered.

TOPEKA, January 23.-When the resolution
introduced by Senator Sterne to have COM
mlttee appointed to examine election returns,
70 see if any illegal result had been declared,
came up Senator Sterne said the resolution
was a simple one that did not need refer
ence. He said: THE adoption of this reso-
luton will cause very little labor or expense.
large number of persons have openly
claimed that the will of the people was de-
feated in 1890 and 1899 by those having the
election returns in charge. If these returns
were in any manner changed the people
ought to known it. )"
Senator Baker spoke against the reference
and against the resolution. He said the
people of Kansas we're as honest as those of
any other state and he did not think the
peoples money should be wasted in a use
less investigation that would do no one any
good.
The motion to refer to the elections COM
mittee carried, % to Is, and this kills the
resolution.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
intervening senate Debate.

TOPEKA. January 21.-The senate was con-
sidering a resolution to empower It's cleo
Ions committee to send for persons and
papers in the trial of contest cases.
Senator O'Bryan moved that the resolu-
ton be referred to the com mlttee on Judi
ciarv to get q report on the point as to
the form in which contest cases had been
| brought; whether the requirements OF Jaw
| had been complied with: it being conce led
| in omen senate that contest papers had not
been sworn to as required by statute, that
they had not been delivered to and come be-
fore the senate in manner required by law.
Senator billiard opposed the reference,
saving that the elections committee could as
yell pass upon these points.
Senator Baker made calculation of the
possible and probable expense were the cases
tried as proposed, putting it at S25,O 600: all
of which, he said, might be saved should it be
determined legally, that there is now no
legal manner to prosecute the cases. DE
had found upon examination that the con-
test papers had not been fled in statutory
time; some of them had never been filed;
that they had never been delivered by the
secretary of the state to the president or the
senate; that the president of the senate mad
not laid them before that body: that there
were no jurats showing required oatns upon on
them: that they were not accompanied by
lists of witnesses-all of which were required
by statutes governing contests.
Senator Leedy said he was advis ed oy con-
stitutional lawyers that notice of contest
was not necessary.
Senator Dennison said that the senate
could follow the laws if it desired to, but the
senate was a law unto itself.
Senator Thacher said that there was no
evidence before the senate that the seat OF
single senator had been contested. ''Can any
mans seat in this senate be contested, said
Senator Thatcher, simply because some
man comes up the back stairs or through the
cloak room and says his seat is contested!
Let us in some measure preserve the dignity
of this body. The president has never to
this day said there was contest, and until
the notice so comes there is no contest.
When it is laid before US in the proper shape
we are ready to take it up"
Senator Parker thought some decision
ought to be made whether the statutes were
worth anything.
Senator Sem said he was glad the contest
cases did not have to be proceeded with ac-
cordlng to law, or they would never get done.
every body knows" he said, that contest
cases are decided according to common sense
rules" Upon the direct inquiry of Senator
Parker, Senator Sem said he did not pr
pose to be bound by any statutory proyislo
in the settlement of the contest cases.
The motion was finally laid over.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
E,rs4 Augmentation Bill.

TOPEKA. January Ex-senator Rodgers, ON
behalf of the ways and means COMMITTEES,
introduced senate bill 81, making appropri-
atoms for all the expenses of tie Legislature
of 1893 The amount specified for the per
diem, mileage, etc. of all the members ana
employees Is $4,000, and for postage for the
members, 5000. The rules were suspended,
tho bill put upon its second and third read
ing and was passed.
Senator O'Bryan's resolution providing
that the chairman of each committee be
allowed to appoint clerk and also stenog-
rapher with the concurrence OF the senate,
was adopted.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
Another Chapter.

The republicans of the Kansas senate and
house met in representative hall Thursday
morning at o'clock and took ballot for
state printer. Eighty members were pres
ent all of whom voted for George W..
| Crane. Senators O'Bryan and Taylor and
Representatives Chambers and Meagher
we're absent. Rosenthal (dem.) voted for
Crane. 1t requires SO to elect.
The republicans have reason to oeneVe
that this is the last opportunity that the re-
publican senators will have of all meeting
together to vote for state printer.
The senate elections committee has begun
| work, and no one believes that it will con-
sumo much time in deciding contest cases
against republicans. Six senators have had
psners fled against them, and it is claimed
that Senator Baker will be removed because
he presided at the joint session of the repuo-
lican house and senate.
The popullsts house elections committee
is also showing signs of activity. 1t Is now
through with the formality of taking testl-
members. The populist elections commit
tee submitted a report ousting the republi-
can members from Jackson and Reno. In
der the rule the reports will lay over day.
T. r. Bayne, (populist). has just with
drawn his contest case against Senator ,. ".
Thacher.
A populist leader who witnessed the pro-
ceedings of the Joint session, remarked: II
wonder how the republicans senators would
feel if the seagernt-at-arms of the senate
would come over here and arrest them. If
they are not careful that will be done before
they get though with holding their joint ses-
sions. If the actions of Senators Baker AID
Brown in acting as president pro tenn, and
secretary pro tenn of the senate when not so
designated by the majority of the members
of that body are not revolutionary would
like to know what you call it,
It is understood that the popullst members
of the senate are very seriously considering
the unseating of Senators Baker and Brown
on those grounds.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
Guilty of Poisoning Workmen.

P1rrsBURG, Pa, January 22-Judge Stowe
delivered his charge in the Homestead poi
,oning case against Hugh F. Dempsey, dis
srict master workman of the Knights of
Labor. as follows:
"You will first determine as questions of
fact whether poison was used by Gallagher
in the mill as he says it was, and if 80,
whether W. R. Griffith, the man named in
The indictment was slckened by such poison,
and if so, whether Hugh F. Dempsey, the
1efen dant, was party to such poisoning, as
fully avoided anything like an opinion upon
sither of these facts, because it is for you
alone to determine them, and render your
verdict in accordance with such determine
ion without fear or favor"
The jury after being out about three hours
returned verdict OF guilty.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
Under ConsIderatfor,.

TOPEKA, January PA bill TO xeqofre all
real and personal property to be Assezd IS
cash value has been introduced by ezas
McTaggart.
Senator Lands has bill to make lahafS<s
preferred creditors, in sums not to exceed
$500, no matter what the form ofsdssoln-
ton may be.
Senator Baker has introduced an anti
Pinkerton bill, prohibiting any corpofasics
or individual from bringing armed foEG4
into the state.
Senator Lands has introduced bill toers
vent combines, pools and trusts, by meksnE
any person liable to punishment who entets
INTO such a combination.
Senator McTaggart has introduced q bill
providing that mortgage sale shall satisfy
the Judgment and providing for stay OF
two years after Judgment is rendered.
Senator Sterne has introduced abiH pre-
pared by the state board of health pE0gld-
ing for more thorough sanitary measures
throughout the state with a view 20 propfrly
wlthstanding possible invasion OF an @rs-
demic Of cholera.
The present law in the state make s. =
crime for drunken person or persons!
deadly weapons. Senator Willcockson in-t
troducted a bill to prevent any person from
carrying concealed weapons.
A bill introduced by Senator Sterne, pre-
pared by the engineers and conductors, pro
vides against the employment of inexperi-
enced men by railroads. The bill provides
that conductors shall have three years expe-
rience as brakemen or baggagemen and
engineers shall have three years experiences
as tiremen.
The bill introduced by Senator Lands
providing for state board of arbitration
makes the three railroad commissioners
members ex-officio of the board; the en-
ployes are to have power to appoint one
and the fifth member is to be appointed by
the employer. If the two outside members
are not appointed the commissioners have
power to choose them. The board is to make
q final settlement.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
Not Until Senator Is Elected.

TOPEKA, January 23.-Populist Speaker
Dunsmore in an interview said: 'Both sides
are working to secure an advantage. do
not expect that anything will be done on
either side until after the election of United
States senator. Nothing can be done before
that time"
From this expression of Speaker Duns-
more, it Is understood that the populist house
will not pass the Legislative appropriation
bill until after the senatorial election has
been settled, thereby keeping out of the SUI
preme court.
The republican branch can pass all the
bills and resolutions offered, but that ends
matters; their actions are not recognized by
shy of the powers that be about the state
house. unless 1t is the supreme court and
hat body has not yet had an opportunity to
pxpress its opinion.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
Twentx-Fourth Annual.

WASHINGTON, D. c., January s2o.-The
national board of trade met at the Shore
ham and President Frederick Fraley was for
the twenty-fourth time reelected.
The following resolution was adopted with
out q dissenting voice:
s'That, in the opinion of the nationsl
board of trade, the best interests of the
country dem anded the defeat of the anti
options bill now pending before the senate
of the United States"
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-28
caucustnr With no Results.

Both populists and republicans of the
Kansas house of representatives gathered in
partisan groups early and at o'clock on
Monday the populist Legislators went into
caucus to nominate q candidate for state
printer. Neither did the impression prevail
that any compromise would be reached. The
knowing ones predict two state printers as q
a result of the election. The populist
leaders seemed satisfied with the situation
and contended that the senate having off,
cialiy recognized the populist house, the re-
publican senators were bound TO act With
that body in the printers election.