The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-17
LEEDY BEGINS TO TALK
The Governor, Who Used to
Shun Reporters,
Now Talks Freely to Them
When He Finds
They Won't Hurt Him-The Gov
ernor's Views on a Variety
of Topics.

of Topics
ST do not know what the astronomer
down at Manhattan is teaching, said
Governor Leedy '.but if he is teaching
that the world is fat he is not making
any greater error than the professors of
political economy recently in charge in
that institution. They were telling the
students that protection and the gold
standard were what made Kansas great.
Kansas farmers do not need TO be
taught to farm. but they do need some
instruction as to how to sell their stuff.
They raised corn until it was 10 cents
bushel and now they want to know how
to get something for it.
THE three professors of political econo-
my now at the college worth more
than three theoretical farmers. A little
agriculture down there is well enough, but
this sticking of fence posts in the ground
one year and planting them other end up
another year does not amount to any
thing. The sentiment of the people is
rapidly growing in favor of stopping the
robbery by the railroads. This comes from
education along the proper lines and that
is what trying to do.
1T is true that the United States gov
eminent has withdrawn its $1,000 a year
from the college on that account. This is
optional with the department of the in
terror and was to be expected. We can
get along without it. It's a bluff, pure
bluff and right in line with the way the
east has always treated Kansas. The
east is now going through the same pro-
cess of liquidation Kansas went through
and we are able to rest our oars and
watch it. We have Hquidated and the
other fellows are now finding out how it
feels"
What do you think about the condi-
ton at the reform SCHOOL," asked the re-
porter
1T is very bad said the governor. but
there is no remedy until the next regular
session of the legislature, unless we have
a special session. Money must be appro-
priated to put those boys to work. 1t
should be no 5000. was intended in the
last bill, but should be enough to build an
industrial building"
DO you find objection to convict la
bor?"
Il do not see how it can be avoided The
prisoners, boys and men, must work. They
may just as well be made self-supporting.
1t is only just to the prisoners and to the
taxpayers as we'll. No matter of a free
laboring man has no property. he pays
some taxes and the support of the convict
comes out of him just the same.
do you think extra session of the
legislature will be called?'
We'll, that's hard to say. 1t is justi-
fed by the railroad situation. but on
what might be called a test vote in the
legislature last session, there was a ma
jority of four or five against reducing
railroad rates by law. The people of
Kansas are approaching the fact that
they are paying over 80 million dollars an
nually for freight bills. A majority senti-
fa1-C Of he
members would all represent their consti-
tuents we could pass the law 1t would
be use to call the legislature together
to discuss the matter, unless there is
some assurance of passing bill.
81 am in favor of passing law reduc-
ing freight rates Is per cent. This would
accomplish one of two things. 1t would
either stick and become effective if the
courts should rule as they did prior to
1885. or the people would be brought to a
true understanding that they do not rule
themselves, but are ruled by courts pack
ed with corporation attorneys 1t is cas-
Ter to control the bench than it is to con-
troll forty legislatures, so the trusts have
directed their efforts there with great
success. The people finding that they are
deprived of elf-government-for rail-
road commission is success in this coun-
try nor can any state law stand against
the courts as they are now constituted
would build a railroad of their own to the
gulf and be able to defy even packed
bench. This is the inevitable outcome and
the only relief from present conditions"
do you think the narrow legislative
majority against your freight reduction
bill will experience a change of heart in
time to call extra session."
May be So" said the governor. ut is
hard to say. Sentiment is growing and if
some kind of an agreement could be
cured such a session and such a bill
would meet with the sanction of the peo-
pie of Kansas. 1t would give a chance
to try conclusions with the courts.
There are several other matters such
as the reform school, which could be at
tended to a special session. but the
railroad situation is the grea test need.
The people of this state will pay enough
freight in two years at present rates to
build a road of their own to the gulf
There never was a time said Gov
ernor Leedy, when Kansas had a cleaner
bill of health than today"
What do you think of its financial out
look?"
Financially, Kansas is. perhaps, in the
best condition of any state in the union,