The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-01
CAN'T IGNORE II.
The House Must Now Take Some.
Action
On the Question of Free Railroad
Passes.
1T CAN NOT RES T
Under the Imputation That 1t Is
Influenced
By the Lavish Distribution OF
Passes.
THEGARDEN HIRE BILL
The Mildest Measure Proposed
at This Session.
Senate Has Already Passed It,
Why Not the House?
HIRE BILL
The MiIdest Measure Proposed
at This Session.
Senate Has Already Passed Il,
Why Not the House?

It is evident that some members of the
legislature have begun to think at least
about the question of free passes on rail-
roads and their influence on Legislators
and judges. Whether the thoughts
which have started will strike in deep
enough to cause them to take action on
the subject remains to be seen. or the
members of the house seen by a
JOURNAL reporter this morning only one
cared to say the granting of those favors
by railroads had no effect, while many
were outspoken against the system as
vitiating the purpose and weakening the
conscience of men who habitually re-
ceived them. None believed that a pass
had the effect of a direct bribe on
any member of the legislature, but it
was pretty generally agreed that the in
herent quality in human nature which
makes all people feel kindly toward
those who grant them favors was one of
the things which even Legislators still
possessed. As many, if not most of the
members feel that there is a great abuse
along this line, they will have an oppor-
tunity to show whether they are in earn
est. The Gardenhire pass bill has passed
the senate and will be up in the house
soon. While it may not be radical
enough to suit some, it is not so radical
that holders of passes would have any
grounds on which to oppose it 1t is
step in the right direction as Mr.. Bal
linger says, and as the evil of passes has
grown up gradually, it is easier to eradi-
cate it step by step.
To the members of the house the
STATE JOURNAL desires to say that al
ho nrIa hill 70
its passage will convince the people of
this state more than anything the men,
bers can do that they have not been un-
duly influenced by railroad lobbyists.
1t is not so severe that it will cause out
right hardship to the members of the
legislature, and on the other hand. it will
please the people and set right the Re-
publican members of the house before
the people.
If the house refuses to pass any anti
pass legislation, no matter how mild, and
at the same time kills all railroad legis-
lation nothing that its mem bers can do
or say will convince the people that rep
resentatives have not been bribed, hood
led or influenced in some way. The
house can't afford to ignore the pass
question now, since the senate has pass
ed the bill.
Members who were seen today on the
pass question by JOURNAL reporter said:
II feel as if l had been run over by a
Santa Fe engine" said Representative
Moore, whose substitute railroad bill was
defeated in the house yesterday. in greet
ing the reporter.
DO you think the distribution of passes
had any effect on the legislature in the
action it took on railroad Iegislation?"
Undoubtedly it has had considerable
influence on the legislature I don't
mean to say that passes have acted in the
nature of direct bribes, but there is no
question that they weaken members in
their determination. It makes some men
feel good you know, to be given a pass,
patted on the back and told what fine
fellows they are. Human nature is the
same wherever you find it and none OF
US like to be very active in opposing
these who have granted US favors. There
is no doubt that receiving such favors
takes the strength of purpose out OF
ma ny men,"
Mr. Ballinger, the author of the fee
and salary bill, when asked about the
influence of passes, said:
The whole thing is bad system. II
has been growing so long and gradu-
ally that members have come to believe
it is their right, but some members who
are not used to it are undoubtedly in.
huenced by it"
"Do you think passes have had anv
effect on railroad legislation?''
Il think it has. There is no question
about it,
Speaking of the Gardenhire bill Mr.
Ballinger said: at is long step in thu
right direction and ought to pass. Tht
people will know then what officers us,
free transportation. There is wrons
in this appellate court bill. Judge
will have to take pasSe
in order to live, for their
expenses will take all their salaries
They ought to have been given $4,000
and then compelled to pay their expen
ses as the people expect them to-
Mr. Cubbison when asked if he though
passes had any effect on legislation anC
legislators said: "They have more effec
tnan any one would think 1t is especi
any SO with members who live at prea
distance The salary of members Is Sc
nlggardly that if you took away theiI
passes they wouldn't have ANYTHING left
Human nature is the same the vo-If
round, and if you accept favors vol
naturally feel kindly toward the oivar y
them. 1t is just like two men coming +,
you to ask favor, one of them is Won
friend and the other is not You favo
the friend and that is naturaLo