The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-15
STAFFORD POPULISTS.
They Adopt Resolutions Against
Members of the Legislature.

M en- berS OF the Legislature.
st. John, Kan, April 15.-Pursuant to
call the Peoples Party central commit
tee convened at the court house in ST.
John, Kansas, Saturday, April u, and
as requested, a large number of the
members of said party were present
and participated in the. proceedings.
Among other business the following
resolutions were passed:
whereas, The Populist party at Abb
Iene, Kansas, in convention assembled,
adopted a platform in which were en-
bodied the principles of the party,
among which was a resolution favoring
a maximum freight rate bill, and
Whereas, The principles as enuncia-
ted in said platform . and especially
those relating to the maximum freight
rate law, were made an issue before
the people of the state of Kansas, and
each and every candidate for the legis-
1ature, was in honor pledged to carry
out the same, and
Whereas, Certain POpuliSt members
of the Legislature, with full knowledge
that their party has since its formation
promised to the people relief from ex-
orb1tant and unjust rates and charges
imposed upon them by the railroads in
this state; and with full knowledge of
the principles enunciated in the Abilene
platform, have wholly disregarded the
pledges made by their party and by
themselves, by directly opposing the
maximum freight rate bill introduced
in the house of representatives, or in
sututed in the place thereof, and have
thereby defeated the will OF their con-
stituents and denied them all relief
from such exorbitant and unjust rates
and charges. Therefore be it
Resolved, That we the central COM
mittee and numerous other members of
the Peoples Party of Stafford county,
Kansas, assembled at St.JOhn, this 10th
ly denOunce and condemn such of the
Populist members of the legislature as
disregarded their pledges and the
pledges of their party and were either
directly or indirectly responsible for the
defeat of the maximum freight rate
bill, or in any manner directly or indi-
rectly aided or abetted in the defeat
thereof. And we heartily approve Gov.
Ieedy'S veto of the SO-called Harris bill,
an act calculated to embarrass the
board of railroad commissioners, in the
exercise of their duties and to deprive
them of their meagre powers under the
present law without granting relief to
the producers and consumers Be it
further
Resolved, That we hereby demand
the resignation of all PopuHst members
who will not pledge themselves to vote
for maximum freight rate law in the
event of an extra session that the peO-
pie may fill their places with legislators
who will respect their pledges and obey
the instructions of those who elected
them. And it is the sense of this meet
ing that should enough pledge them
selves as above indicated, that Governor
Leedy should Immediately call an extra
session of the Legislature, that the re
lief promised the people may be given
them. Be it further
Resolved That we respectfully re-
quest Governor Leedy to refuse to APP
point to any position of emolument,
honor or trust, such of the Populist
members of the legislature as contribu-
ted to the defeat of the proposed rail
road legislation.
Resolved, That we condemn and de-
nOunce the legislative course of Senator
John T Armstrong in every instance
where such vote is in conflict with the
letter and spirit of the POpulist plat
form. Be it further
Resolved, That L. D. Lewelling is
hereby requested to resign his position
as railroad commissioner, and for our
demand assign his vote against the
house maximum freight rate bill and
the charges of bOodling preferred
against him.
Resolved That a copy of these reso-
lutiOns be furnished to the County Cap
ital and Peoples Paper of Stafford
county, to the Topeka Advocate and to
Governor Leedy
The appointment of senators and rep
resentatives during their term of office
was severely condemned.
Motion to hold our county convention
on the second Saturday in June, failed
to pass.
On motion committee adjourned.
W. H. PORTER,
Secretary.