The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-15


age of the bill, it was discovered, to the
general CONSERVATION, that the law with
that provision would be unconstitutional.
"But a bargain was entered into be-
tween the governor aud the Calamity
pirates in the senate, by which the un-
constitutional provision should be omit
ted, but the governor should carry out its
intent in the appointments to the court
1t is even said that part of the demand
was that certain senator, who assisted
in creating the offices. should be one of
the judges. The bargain was carried
out
One of the Worst Scandals.
Zone of the worst scandals connected
with Kansas Legislation has been the ap-
pointment of mem bers to offices created
by themselves. Out of the six judges
of this new court, one has been given to
a senator, one to g representative, aud
one to the father of representative. We
say nothing against the ability or the
worth of the majority Of the judges but
the practice is pernicious. Another re-
preventative has been appointed to
another of the new offices created. Be-
sides, three senators and we do not know
how many representatives were appoint
ed to offices while the legislature was
| in session. At least two of the senators
already held appointive offices. One of
| good cause for removal; but as he W as
the chief agent in the performance of
Certain underhand work. he will hardly
be disturbed in his position. Business"
| is now the watchword. Faith must be
kept with pirates and highwaymen, even
| if it is broken with stauncn and un-
wavering friends of many years stand
| ing
| The Irrigation Fraud.
| fufo
solved in favor of encouraging irriga-
ton The legislature carried out this
pledge by appropriating $4,000 for ex-
periments. Rest assured, that the $780,
900 will all be expended on experiments,
at the end of which irrigation will be as
far off as ever, and hot winds and
droughts will not suffer in health. OF
| course, new board was created to
squander this money, composed of three
members, who are to receive $1,000
EACH"
After speaking of the refusal of the
senate to confirm the appointment of
Judge j. s Emery as one of the irriga-
ton commissioners and the causes which
led up to it, he says:
''As in the case of the appellate court
here was a good excuse to shut off
$4,000 steal upon the state by refusing
to be coerced But this being strictly
| business administration a competent
and honorable man was sacrificed in
order to conciliate the expiring tail end
of the worst imposition that was ever
inflicted upon the state.
Among the first business of the legis-
lature was the consideration of an ap-
preparation of almost $4,000 deficiency
for the state printer. This deficiency
was for printing calamity campaign lit
erature in the guise of pu bile docu-
ments
IH-Treatmsnt of Col. Hughes.
"The sacrifice of Colonel Hughes was
another act of a piece with the general
policy. The man appointed adjutant
general is a good man and deserving
but that is not the question. Another
man might have done as Hughes did ia
the emergency, but that does not enter
into the case. At very critical mo-
ment Colonel Hughes refused to sustain
a revolution, even at the command of
his superior officer, and, it is conceded
by his course averted bloody riot
That he acted right has been decided
by the courts and endorsed by his
party. For that act he was court
martialed and disgraced by the party in
whose interest he refused to aid usur-
patton. His own party owed it to him,
to themselves, and to justice. to vindi-
cate him at the earliest possible mo-
! ment.
"Had we been governor. we know how
we would have dealt with these high
waymen. We would have selected some
trusted friend who did not want the ad-
jutant-generals office, and have sent his
name to the senate, under an agreement
with him, that as soon as the legislature
adjourned, he would resign the office;
and then, after the appropriations were
all safe, and the pirates gone, we would
, have appointed Colonel Hughes to the
vacancy, and have let the dirty whelps
rage and gnash their teeth. That's the
way we would have kept faith with
men who extorted promises at the
muzzle of the pistol. But we never did
understand much about business"
As to state Printer.
speaking of state printer, this is an
office SO lucrative that single term af-
fords the incumbent moderate fortune
The state printer-elect has a widely cir
culateG newspaper, and his taffy is sweet
to the members It informs their con-
stituents that the dungarees and coyote!
whom they elected to represent them
| are veritable solons
"Another new office was created with
salary of $1,000 a year, called state &C
countant' The object of the office is
first, to provide a snug berth for some
? favorite-perhaps member of the legis
lature that created it. Secondly, the duty
: of the accountant is to receive 81 800
4 year for examing the books of state Off
J GERS who receive S2.50O a year, to see i
t they are straight. Nothing like business
, in running the affairs of government
No Railroad Legislation.
In telling why there was no railroad
I legislation, he says:
t "The railroad lawyers that are always
= sprinkled through the legislature are to-
? we'll up in their business to permit any
Y thing of that sort
''In nothing are the people of Kansa
a more outrageously imposed upon anC
a robbad than in the matter of insurance
y A bill was introduced or perhaps severa
of them, that were very binding upon in
b surance companies. Not one of then