The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-24
AT THE STATE HOUSE.
James Butler Issues a Circular
Letter to POpulists
Urging a Special Session of the
Legislature.
Butler Opposes Conservative Action
Governor Leedy Goes to Lans-
ing to Personally Look Into
Pardon Cases.

James Butler of this city, who was
steward of the Topeka asylum during
dwellings administration, recently
sent out a letter calling on the honest
Populists'' to stand together and or
ganize against the element of the par
ty which, Mr.. Butler alleges in his
circular, betrayed the people by de-
featfng maximum freight and other
specially favored ideas set forth in the
platform adopted at Abilene. Butler
now seeks to further annihilate the re-
fractOry members of the legislature and
is sending out the following circular
letter to all parts of the state calling
upon the Populists to get together and
insist upon special session:
Much has been said about an extra
session of the legislature and extrava-
CANT estimates have been placed on
the expense. This may have been
done for the special purpose of defeat
ing an extra session, or it may be that
the writers did not have the correct IN
formation at hand. There was a spe-
cial session held in this state in 1886 to
redistrict the state and for other pur-
poses set forth in the call. The Ses-
sion lasted thirty days. They made
no pretensiOn of reform or economy,
for times were fairly good in the state
during those boom days That ses-
sion cost $50 III, or practically $1,000 per
day. If a special session is called now
there is no necessity for it to en-
ploy the help they would need in reg
ular session. There would be no neces-
Sity for clerks for senators and but few
of the committees would need clerks.
They could very easily and convenient
ly get along with One-f1fth the employees
they had during the last session. If
economy is used, an extra session of
twelve or fifteen days duration can be
held at a. cost not to exceed fifteen or
twenty thousand dollars. The largest
item of expense in an extra session will
no a mi q n
the last session was 81, S63.6 Sc. No doubt
passes would be furnished the same as
they have been in the past by the rail-
roads and most of this item could be
saved if the POpulistS are deeply
enough impressed with reform to refuse
to receive pay from the state, an ex-
pense that has already been borne by
the railroads.
AN extra session should be called,
but before it is done the POpulists of
each senatorial and representative dis
trict, where their member has proven
unworthy or recreant by falling to sup
port the railroad measures demanded
by their constituents and the platform
upon which they were elected, should
hold conventions and demand pledge
of them that they Will vote Tor a max
irnum freight rate bill and for other
measures contained in the platform up
on which they were elected, or resign
at once. If they fail OF refuse to do
either, they are traitors and should be
persuaded to leave the county or dis
trict in which they now reside, and no
brass bands should be used on the oc-
casion of their going. If man IS
honest and cannot cOnScienttOusly sup
port the demands of his constituents
and the measures contained in the
platform upon which he was elected,
it is his right, it is his duty to resign.
No honest man will stand in the way
of measures demanded by his constit-
uents and no true POpulist will set
himself up as a dictator.
There are at least three measures
that should be considered and acted
upon in the interest of the people at
once.
''First-A maximum freight rate bill.
"Second-The election of the board OF
railroad commissioners by the people
and giving them judicial power.
'sThird-A reduction in the fees of the
state printer, or make it a salaried
position and establish a plant owned
by the state.
''The present prices paid for state
printing are outrageous. Enough can
be saved on this item alone in the next
two years to pay the expense of an ez-
ira session, and yet leave the state
printer the most remuneratfVe office in
the state There are two printing firms
in the city of Topeka that have abund-
ance of financial backing and are in
every way reliable, that stood ready
to furnish the bond of the state printer,
do all the work, shoulder all the re-
spOnsibility and pay the state printer