Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1894-05-26
STATE AFFAIRS
And Capital City News of State
interest.

road commission during the past two
months, demanding a general reduction
OF freight rates on ali the railroads of
Kansas, were taken up by the board
and arguments heard by representatives
of the various localities aud the respond
emit railroad companies. Chairman Vim
cent read one of the petitions, specify
ing that the prevailing freight rates are
unjust and unreasonable, in view of the
general depression in business and the
low prices of agricultural products.
Representatives of the Santa Fe,
Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific then
entered their contention that the board
could not on the petitions presented and
the notice given, enter upon hearing
at this time, Directing to the considera-
ton of general complaint of this char
acter. They thought it proper for the
board to have a conference with the
traffic managers of the several roads to
determine whether any inequalities in
rates or determinations against locali-
ties existed.
They argued that it was not proper for
one locality to champion the cause of an
other locality, for one individual to as
sumo to represent the general public.
Senator Leedy. of Coffey county, who
appeared for the petitioners, maintained
that the state board was authorized to
inquire into and determine the matters
embraced in the petitions, and that such
right had been upheld by the supreme
court.
Other points involved in the law Great
ing the board and defining it's powers
we're aruged by the attorneys for the
| railroad companies, who insisted that
the record should show that they ap-
peared specially in response to notice
that conference was desired, but that
if the board proposed to change the pro-
posed conference into formal investi-
cation upon which to base action in
changing of general freight schedules
then the railroad companies desired to
withdraw from the case
The board overruled the objections
offered by the railroad companies, and
announced that the investigation would
proceed.
The railroad representatives then with
drew from the case as respondents, but
stated that they were willing to remain
as parties to friendly conference, and
furnish all the assistance and infor-
nation in their power.
Senator Leedy, then asked that sub
p@nas be issued for the traffic man
ayers of the various railroads, in order
that the facts regarding present rates
might be correctly ascertained.
Labor Commissioner Todd visited
southern Kansas last week to investigate
the developments of the oil fields. He
also stopped at Eureka to examine the
clay deposits which are said to produce
as fine quality of china as any in the
world
Frank L. Turner, Topeka lithog-
rapher, is under arrest for counterfeit
ing. In his room was found all neces-
sary apparatus for the work, and some
SIS bills just made. AS test, fourteen of
them were passed on Topeka merchants,
and one bank accepted one of them,
which shows the fine quality of Turner's
work. He was found out after the ar
rest of Joseph Teter, who was disposing
of the "green goods"
The most noticeable event of the week
in Topeka real estate circles is the sale
by the estate of late T. d. Thacher of
the Thacher ranch in Dover township.
Papers were signed by which this mag
nifcent ranch becomes the property of
A. J. King, of New York. Mr.. King and
his son, Horace King, have been in the
city for several weeks and have been
we'll enough pleased with Topeka and
vicinity to invest $4,000 cash in the
above property. Horace King has been
in the west several years and is thor
oughly conversant with the cattle bust
ness, in which he has been engaged.
Horace King will make this ranch his
home.
Governor Lewelling went to Leaven-
worth looking after the trouble at the
pentitentiary that resulted in the sus-
pension of Mr.. Bum at the mines at
that place. There has been no provision
made for the appointment of successor
to the deposed official, but there are now
several names being considered for the
place. The governor was not there to
take any PERSONS part in the squabble
but to see about the matter. There
had been numer GUS reports made to
him and he deemed personal inspection
proper. He seemed satisfied with the
condition of things and believes that
there will be no further trouble at that
point. Warden Chase has the appoint
ing power.
State Auditor Prather is receiving re-
turns to the letters he sent out to ascer-
tain how the assessment of personal
property and resi- estate would compare
tnis year with that of two years ago.
From the letters he has received the
showing is made as below. Those low
cred are as follows: Wabaunsee, Com
anche, Logan, johnson, Dickinson. Sum-
ner, Ottawa, Mcpherson, Saline, Wood
son, Crawford, Barber, Miami. Mitch
ell, Ford, Kingman, Butler, Lyon, Reno.
Graham, Washington, Grant, Rice and
Books. Those where the valuation OF
personal property and real estate will be
raised are as follows: Decatur. Mar
shall, Riley, Marion, Lincoln 120 pei
cent, Franklin and Edwards.
Miss Hodges has succeeded Miss
Mary E. Ranes as stenographer in At
torney General Little's Office. She has
been ill for more than year and has
now become able to take the positio
which has been open to her since the