The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-08
Nothing Yet Done to Curb the "Money
Power" Notwithstanding Populist
Ante-ElectiOn Threats.
SAMPLES OF PROPOSED LAWS
HOW SOME OF THE "HAYSEED,
BILLS MEET AN UNTIMELY DEATH.
POpulist Washburn's Reply to secre-
tary EdgertOn, Who Wants to
Fuse with Bryan Democrats.
Special to the Indianapolis JournaI.


TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. Z. - Twenty-three
days have been gathered into the past since
legislators of Kansas assembled to enact in
TO laws their solemn campaign prom
| ises of economy and reform. Thus far the
States social fabric remains unchanged
and the blarsted money power is still
doing business at the old stand. The time
has about arrived which will be decisive for
many measures affecting for good or i'll
the commonwealth. 1t IS conceded that
such a powerful lobby OF railroad men
never before besieged the lawmakers. and
certainly there was never time when con-
servative kansans so much desired the sue
cess of the lobby. Ex-Governor Lewelling
| is man of influence in the Senate. and
| had it in for railroads. Just what tie rrovi-
sions of the bill will be is not settled yet
| but will be combination of the Iowa and
| Nebraska laws, with probably few unique
| kinks of Jayhawker wisdom. The ruw er of
the Board of Railroad Commissioners will
| be greatly increased giving them authority
| to make freight and passenger rates the
same though enacted by statute. AL
| though the Iowa law has not been a gilt
| tering success, one senator says: IF this
bill does not pass we might as well hang up
and go home" They propose to reduce To-
| cal rates, TO the detriment of through traf-
| ic. A vast amount of Kansas products go
beyond the state line, and favorable rates
for long hauls" are more important than
| extremely low local rates. But such is Pop
| ulistic wisdom. 1t is farce to repose so
| much power in men who know as little
| about preparing just and equitable rates
| Exqumbo does about the binomial
theorum or Texas steer.
| However, the vigorous pushing of this
| proposed railroad law may be deep-laid
scheme and shrewd display of worldly
wisdom for the purpose of working special
! favors of a substantial nature from the lob
| by. If half of what the members of the
| Lewelling administration said about each
| other is true, the party can no longer bank
upon its white-winged purity. And its adj
| ditions from the free-silver Republicans
| have not added sweetness and childike in
| nocence-well, no. The lobbyist has seen
| some of them on other occasions, knows
| that they are not out for their health aI.d
/ knows how to approach them. The power
| of the lobby is all that now stands between
| Kansas and a dangerous, vicious railroad
| law.
Members are assisting in the amendment
| of sections of statutes they did not know
| existed. Last week a senator offered
resolution to at once provide each member
| with copy of the Revised Statutes.
| they could have some idea OF what they
| were doing.
1t is amusing to see how some bills meet
| with sudden disaster. The member from
| Lawrence came up smiling in behalf of the
Kansas State University. He wanted the
| modest sum of $IS5, 900 for additional build
| ings and 100000 for running expenses, but
! he felt sad when calamity struck the bill
under the base of the ear as ii were. When
| he recovered consciousness the appropria-
ton for buildings all gone and $4,000
| had been Topped off the running expenses.
| What does o. Populist Legislature want
| with book llrnin anyhow"
The Horticultural Society desired to make
it misdemeanor for tramps to trespass
san matter and the bill encountered no OPP
| position. But when it was just ready for
| passage in the House a Republican,, in the
| spirit of mirth suggested that for Kansas
| to enact such a law would be a greater out
rage than when Cleveland ordered Coxey
| to keep off the grass at Washington. 1t
was arrow shot at random, but it struck
the vitals., number. of Republicans
bill from an untimely end, but all in vain
| The Cleveland-Coxey difference did the
business; Now the weary wabblers can
| of strawberry leaves or watermelon vines.
| A bill to tax as property mineral reserves
| in good order but a little Dutch horse sense
was thrown into it by the remark: Sup
| pose it turned oud der mineral. vot
| den?" That bill at once turned up its toes
| and died.
Two Populists have forgotten the funda-
| mental principles of their party and are
| liable to be tried as heretics and excom-
municated One desires to enact the Mis-
| w,
| gageor to time with dizzy quickness. This
| popularity is based on the historical fact
| that he is "a money lender who has been
| successfully stood off by the mortgageor
| under our present law and he now realizes
| that the greater portion of $500 loan has
| vanished in the air. Another wants a law
| to abolish the legal rate OF interest and let
| money bring what it will in the market like
| wheat and corn. These are not the kind of
| patriots the Old-time Populists elected.
| These letting sordid greed and
personal interests hinder their pursuit of
| the money power.
| There are indica tions of brewing storm.
| The converts are getting too much.
| The other day prominent member was
| heard to remark. This thing of giving all
| the best places to fellows who haven't been
| in the party six months is too thin. The
| old-time Populist will kick, and don't you
| forget il. He earned the pie and don't
| relish seeing a bunch of upstarts eat it,
| Senator PETER will soon be at home to
| resume his work as editor of the Advocate.
| The old man will have some sore spots and
| NAV have occasion to stick SplinterS into
| some OF the other fellows. The ele-
| ment has been guilty of ingratitude and
| treachery in thus abandoning the man who
| was a wheelhorse in bringing Kansas Pop
| ulism to the front.
| 1t Is generally conceded that the Popu-
| lists have paid very high price for the
| support they got from free silver Repub-
| licans and Democrats The best and most
| expensive pic has been given to men who
| care nothing for Populist principles. or any
! other kind OF principles. 1t was said that
| the Democratic party was an organized ap-
| petitc for office. These fellows have the
| appetite all right, but are short on organi-
| zation. The fact that the elements are
| incongruous and discordant gives the true
| Kansan hope that this unfortunate ad-
| ministration will commit suicide. A. G.
| |