The morning news., 1894-01-02
MRS. LEASE OPENS HER FIGHT.
She Changes a Meeting Place, But
the Governor Says 1t viii Be Held.

the Governor Says 1t Win Be Held.
Topeka, Kas., Jan. 1. - Mrs. NJ. r.
Lease, the depOsed president of the state
board of charities, made her first aggres-
sive movement this afternoon in her fight
to retain her position and accomplish the
defeat of Gov. Lewelling for renomina-
tion. A meeting of the state board of
charities was called some time ago to be
held at Winfield tomorrow, but Mrs.
Lease to-day telegraphed to each of
the four other members of the board in
forming them that she had changed the
place of meeting to Olathe. The gover-
nor, hearing of her action, promptly sent
a dispatch to the members of the board,
saying that j. W. Freeborn had been APP
pointed to succeed Mrs. Lease, ana that
he would be present at Winfield to-mor-
row to attend the meeting and assume
Mrs. Leases place on the board
1t is now quite certain that the two re
publican members of the board will meet
with Mrs. Lease at Olathe tomorrow.
and that the two populist members will
recognize the governors action in remov-
ing her and meet with Mr.. Freeborn at
Winfield.
QUO wARRANTo PROCEEDINGS.
Mrs. Lease instructed her
attorney to commence quo war
court at O'Clock tomorrow morning to
prevent Mr.. F'reeborn from assuming the
functions of president of the state board
of charities, or from acting as a member
of the board. Should she succeed in Sc
curing an order from the court, as she ex-
poets to, she, with the two republican
members, will constitute a legal quorum
and this will make such changes in the
management of the state institutions as
Mrs. Lease desires.
MAY HAVE ovERsTEPPED HIS AUTHORITY.
The governor, in peremptorily remov-
ing Mrs. Lease, has, in the opinion of the
legal authorities overstepped his author
ity, for the statute expressly states that
the governor cannot remove a member of
the board of charities except for cause,
and then prescribes how the removal
shall be accomplished. He may suspend
pending an investigation after
formal charges have been made
Then the governor, lieutenant governor
and speaker of the House are required to
meet and select a court, to consist of three
members of the House and two of the
Senate, who shall hear charges and take
testimony. On the verdict of this court
the governor may, if the charges are
deemed sufficient and are proven, remove
the accused.
MAKING 1T HOT FOR THE GOVERNOR.
While Mrs. Lease has been looking
carefully after her own interests, she has
not neglected to begin her promised war
fare against the governor. Yesterday
committee of twenty delegates en- route
to the meeting of the State Federation of
Labor called at Leavenworth on Gov
Lewelling and demanded the immediate
removal of State Labor Commits
sioner Todd. The committee told the
governor that Commissioner Todd in no
way represented them, and that he not
only disregarded the administration, but
injured the cause of labor. The discus
sion with the governor became heated,
and when the committee threatened to
roast" him if he did not comply with
their demands, the governor replied:
"ROast and be id"
1t is reported in state house circles that
some startling charges are to be made by
the governor and his associates against
Mrs. Lease tomorrow