The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-11
Maximum Rate Supporters Try
ing to Persuade Members
To Remain a Few Days Longer
and Work
TO PASS RATE BILL.
Senator Harris Telegraphs and
Constituents Write Letters.
Caucus Held Last Night, An
other to Be Called.

'I hope my friends will not adjourn
the legislature until they pass senate
bill No. 49,
The above telegram from United
States Senator w. A. Harris to mem
bers of the legislature has aroused a
new interest in that subject and a
strenuous effort is being made to pro-
long the session until Wednesday, for
that purpose.
The first step Necessary is to secure
a two-thirds majority of each house
suspend rules, and adopt resolution
changing the time agreed upon to stop
considering new bills.
A caucus of 16 senators was held last
night in the ways and means committee
room of the senate and the question of
prolonging the session until next We'd
nesday considered. The caucus was
called by Ex-Governor LeweIIing and
the senators present were Benson Jump
er, Campbell, Lewelling, Titus, Hart,
Armstrong. Forney. Reser, Young.
Caldwell, Helnick, Helm, Sheldon and
Cooke.
Several of the senators stated that al
though it was their opinion that it
would be of 10 use to proiong the ses-
sion, yet they were willing to stay for
a few days if it was thought possible
to enact some kind of railroad legisia-
ton. Others stated that they were in
favor of adjourning this week and haV-
ing a special session called later on No
definite conclusion was reached, and the
caucus broke up with the simple under
standing that if it was found that there
was q possibility of passing a salts
factory railroad measure, each of the 16
senators who attended would remain
The defeated maximum bill support
ers in both houses are working upon the
members today attempting to secure
house caucus tonight to be followed by
a joint caucus in which they hope to
be able to muster sufficient strength to
prolong the session.
This, if accomplished will clear the
way for some sort Of q bill, the nature
Of K.-11i will 11a
The maximum rate bill supporters,
are circulating letters which are coming
from all parts of the state in large num-
bers. demanding railroad legislation
The following one was received by
member and is a fair sample of them
ALL
'SOur county is in a rage at this time.
to think you are about to adjourn with
out giving us any legislation on rail-
roa ds@E honestly believe every Popu-
list ii the state viii be defeated at the
next election on the action of our legis-
lature. You have succeeded in cheese
pairing on little trivial matters which
never will be felt by the next tax pay
er, and have let go scott free the great
est robber corporation existing IN the
state. We will hold you fellows re-
sponsible If you adjourn without pass
ing a good railroad bill and you and
the party will go down as does Grover
Cleveland, the Wrecizers of good and
we'll meaning organization. Certainly
have not words sufficient to portray my
feelings for such trifiing work
Now if a special session is to be
called it had better be done right away,
and not heap abuse upon wrong by
making any more extra expense and
the people are in no mood to wait
I'VE have been trided with by the
Republican party and had TO stand IL
without much OF kick, but when we
get the voters to leave old party ties
and Join US, on the promise that we
will give relief and then be betrayed is
more than we can endure We have no
apologies to make for our legisla tors,
IL,
are either too ignorant to be trusted
with such responsible position or are
traitors to their pledges.
Il have 1abOred both night and day
for the Populist party and principles,
| but now I see my efforts and hundreds
of others as well completely blighted
on account of those whom we trusted
| 1t is the death knell of the Populist
party. not only in this state but in the
| nation.
.'If we when in power in Kansas, do
nothing to relieve the people from cor
| porat greed other states no need to
! make the effort, unless they can get
| better grade of material to make legisla-
| tors out Of Statesmens ideas, should
reach farther than five cents deals on
! their irnme ediate ne; ghbOrs.I would like
| one dying message to the Populist leg
| islature by the word Of mouth before
| they go TO their graves which they
/ have dug. The burial will be properly
| taken care of next election but for fear
| they don't get their just deserts in
| Satan's dominions they should be cas-
| tigated from now until burial ceremon-
| les are performed. feel too indignant
i this morning to treat any one with due
| respect. 1 may be too severe but can
| see no possible way to excuse our legis-
| lature There is none. Don't adjourn
| until you pass a railroad bill
This of course means those that
| have defeated good railroad legislation
| Those protesting the vetoed bill are not
| included although they like myself and
| other Trays" will have to bear the
| censure just the same. The whole leg
| islature is condemned, when the major
| ity is responsible
LATER.
| Late this afternoon one OF the lead
| ing Populist senators said that no
| agreement would be reached by the
members on a railroad measure.
REAPPOINT BREIDENTHAL.