The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-03

Between Governor Morrill, and Mrs.
Sutton Over Decorating Repre-
sentative Hall

Mrs c. S. Sutton, who has been in
charge of the decorations at Repre-
sentative hall, for the charity ball. is
in a slightly rufI1ed frame of mind be-
cause of a little brush with Governor
Morrill,
Mrs. Sutton is managing the charity
bail to be given shortly in Topeka. Sec
rotary Of State W. c. Edwards gave his
consent to the use OF Representative
hall, for that purpose. Mrs. Sutton,
assisted by Dean Low, son Of NJ A.
Low, the Rock Island lawyer, and a
number of workmens began to decorate
the hall In a little while they trans
formed the apartment into a magnifi-
cent ball room
state Auditor George E. Cole and
Superintendent Edmund Stanley heard
about the decorations and made a visit
20 the hall AfterWard they reported
to Governor Morrill, that the WOrkmen
had driven nails into the stucco work
and into the oak and walnut fnishings
and had done great damage
Governor Morrill, proceeded to the
han, accompanied by Mr.. Cole, and
found Mrs. Sutton alone Mrs Sutton
gives this account of the interview.
Governor Morrill, came to me and
demanded to know who was response
bic for the decorations. informed him
that I was. Then he demanded tO5knOW
by what authority I had driven nails
in the wall and damaged the property
of the state I told him that 1 was IN
the hall by authority of Secretary Ed
wards but denied that any property
had been damaged
1.-The governor was furious. He fair
ly stOrmed. He said that he did not
propose to have the hall left in bad
condition at the close OF his admins
tration for the POpulists TO make
fuss about. He said he thought the
damage had been done mahciously-
II endeavored to show the governor
that the walls were FULL OF nail hOleS
before we began our decorations, but
he would not listen. He said that ne
would hold me personally responsible
for the damage, and that II 1 did not
want to be responsible L would better
take down the decorations and hold the
ball elsewhere.
III told the governor that would be
responsible for any damage which the
secretary of state might name. and
while / was talking his eXcellency turn
ed on his heel and left me
Governor Morrill, denies that he spoke
harshly to Mrs. Sutton. Maybe she
took Offense at what I said but if she
did. L can't help it. the governor said
Some people who We're working Tor
Mrs Sutton had driven nails IN the
walls Of Representative hall ana dam
aged the property 1 simply wanted
that sort Of thing stopped. 1 did only
my duty as a state officer
Auditor Cole said. The governor
talked plainly to Mrs Sutton think
the governor was right
Secretary Edwards said: 'This is a
tempest teapot sort of a case. 1
Guess Mrs Sutton is not going to hurt
Representative hall Somebody has
driven a few tacks but there We're
plenty of nail holes in the wall before
Mrs. Sutton went there.
Mrs. Sutton had arranged to use one
Of the auditors rooms for a cloak room
for gentlemen. and one of Treasurer
Atherton's rooms for cloak room Tor
the ladies'. Mr. Cole announced Insst ms
rooms would be locked on the night OF
the ball.
When Treasurer Atherton heard
about Coles decision, he sent word to
Mrs Sutton that he could arrange TO
let her have two rooms for the occa-
1T is said that Atherton's action made
Cole very angry. and there is runOr
that he VIII join Stanley IN can IoI
a meeting of the executive council
The law SAYS that Representative
hall shall not be used for private pur-
poses. but this law, like many others,
on the statute books. is a dead letter
Secretary Edwards and treasurer
Anterior favor the use of the nall for
charitable purposes now Governor
Morrill,. Auditor Cole and Supernten-
dent Stanley are opposed to 1t. me
other member of the executive eouncl
is Attorney General Dawes 1t is said
that he stands with Edwards and Ath-
erton. If he does, the vote on the prop
osition in the council would be tie
The sympathy of most OF the state
house people and all the cltzens OF
ToneISa is with Mrs. Sutton, who mas
acne much for public entertainments
ana was the leading spirit in the flower
parade in honor Of the old soldiers at
the recent Fail Festival and soldiers
WHAT MRS. SUTTON SAYS.
Mrs. Sutton stated today that she
did not take offense at what Governor
Morrill, said. but at the manner IN
TT was not my intention to injure
the property in any way said Mrs
sutton I was simply trying to deco
rate the hail as prettly as posslOle' Al u
| co.ar I'D the dirty Malls-