The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-09

feet high, and what passed between them
came to my ears only in pieces so that l
would not try to repeat it. When they
were through Mr.. Mitchell and myself
bads Mr.. Martin good might and l es
corted Mr. Mitchell to the Blossom
house, where / left
He told me on the way to the hotel
that Martin would give 5,00O) fifteen
thousand dollars and not a cent more
He also told me the arguments he had to
use to persuade him to raise the price.
Among them was this, that Greene and
Anthony, (the other two railroad COM
missioners) had made up their minds in
favor of the Missouri Pacific and that it
was not a matter of changing their
minds. but question of buying them
outright
When 1 left Mr.. Mitchell he told me
he was going to Topeka that night l
don't know whether he did or not. /
saw him in town the next day, and he
afterwards told me that he received
(S7.5000J) seven thousand five hundred
dollars that day dec. 23).
December 26 the attorneys made their
arguments before the railroad commits
sioners, and l think January or rend-
cred a decision in favor of the Union
Terminal, and on the 4th or 9TH Mr..
Mitchell came to me in Schroeder'5
commission house in the New York Life
building, and we went out and went 10
Jones saloon Opposite the Midland
hOtel). back to a private room there is at
tached, and he (Wm. MitchelD gave me
$1,25000) twelve hundred and fifty dol
lars, telling me he had to give Greene
($6,500.00) six thousand five hundred and
Anthony ($6,00000) six thousand dollars,
which left US ($2, ,50O00) twenty five hun
dred dollars to divide, my share being
Isl, ,25O.00) twelve hundred and fifty dol
lars as l stated before.
I afterward learned. indirectly, that
Mitchell had invested several thousand
dollars in mining property soon after this
deal, and it is my opinion he did not have
to give the other railroad commissioners
so much as he represented to me, as he
(MitchelD and l were to divide what was
left after they had theirs.
With the prospect OF death Immediate
ly before me in the present condition of
my health, l solemnly swear this state
ment is the truth. S B. WEST.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
[sEALl this 9th day of March, 1898.
ID. c. ZERCHER.
Notary Public.
My commission expires Jan. Z, 1891
THE HOUSE.
The bill of the judiciary committee
which repeals the mortgage redemption
law of 1898, was introduced in the house
this morning. A bill by Mr.. Caldwell to
elect the bank commissioner, and one by
Mr. Rohrbaugh to give the owners of
property, which is used for the selling of
liquor illegally, no rights to recover dam
ages, were also introduced.
The insurance committee reported ia
vorably number of bills which will
greatly change the system of doing in
surance business in the state. Some of
| the bills are what is known as hostile to
| the insurance companies and they have
! greatly feared their advancement Mr..
Beekman's bill providing for the pay
ment of So out of every 800 premiums
paid in the state for fire Insurance to be
used for the support of fire departments
! qualifying under the act was recon-
mended for passage Bills prohibiting
| the cancellation of policies without due
notice being given, was favorably re-
ported.
MIR. Cox's bill providing that all clauses
! by which beneficiary of life insurance
! policy valves the right to object to, the
competency of witnesses, or which con-
tain any stipulation to limit the time at
which action shall be brought or
attempt to say what shall or shall
| not be considered as evidence,
shall be void and of no effect,
was favorably reported. Mr.. Cubbison's
bill which declares that the payment of a
| premium is prima facie evidence of own
ership, and bill providing that for ev-
cry day which company delays to pay
a policy, except for fraud, it shall pay a
penalty of SO day Notwithstanding
provisions in the contract to the contrary,
were also recommended for passage.
| OIeOmargarine Bill.
| The committee manufactures re-
ported the bill prohibiting the sale of
oIeomargarine with the recommendation
| that it be not passed as it was unconsti-
tutionaL Mr.. Veale's bill TO allow the
city of Topeka to hold an election for
unfavorably rerorsed by the judiciary
| local committee.
A COIored Enrolling Clerk.
Colonel Veale resurrected the enrolling
! clerk question again by offering a reso-
| luton TO place Mrs. Kittie Jones, col
| ored woman of Topeka, on the enrolling
| force. He said she was especially fitted
for the work, having been employed
| there before and her work was of the
| highest standard. He said the colored
people had been ignored and he thought
| she ought to have a place.
After an amendment by Mr.. Butler
| that Mrs. Jones take the place of one of
the other clerks already on the force
from Shawnee county had been adopted
the resolution was laid on the table. Mr..
! Benedict said he hoped the house was
| through with horse play.
Two bills of minor Importance were
passed on account of bare quorum be-
| ing present, the house went into COM
mittee of the whole on general orders,
taking up only local bills.
! Committee Reports.
The committee on educational institu-
tions has reported fayorably the bills for
branches of the state normal at Concor-
dia, Great Bend, Wichita and Ft. Scott
The railroad committee reported favor
ably the bill allowing railroad compa-
MES to elect their directors for four
years, the term of one to expire each
year This is a bill the railroads desired
SO to always have an old member on
hc h1,n nrd