The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-07
WOMEN MAD AT DAWES
His Learned Decision Regard
ing Dinners in the Capitol.
Their Wrath Against
That August Official.
w. r. c. Ladies Were Allowed by Pop
ulists to Give a Dinner Two
Years Ago, But Silver Wo-
men are Denied the
Privilege.

members
yer club. their husbands and Populists
generally in this city, are indignant at
a decision rendered by Attorney Gen
eral Dawes in which he declares that
the state house cannot be used as u
dining hall, according to the statutes.
and therefore, the members OF the cluD
cannot give their inaugural d1nnef III
the lower corridor of the south wing.
Two years ago when the PopulSt5
had charge of the state house the Wo-
mems Relief corps was given the priv
ilege of serving dinner in that part OF
the state house on the day GOV Morrlll
was inaugurated. They received
large patronage.
A few weeks ago, when the women,
comprising the silver club, decldeo TO
give the dinner on Gov. Leedy's lnaug-
uration day, they consulted with sew
eral members of the executive council
and were assured that dinner could be
served in the building.
However, Mr.. Dawes was called upon
for advice which has been promulgated
in a decision of considerable length. lie
recites the fact that there is no proVls-
ion under which the corridors or any
part of the state house can be used as
a dining hail.
During the session two years ago
the Republican legislature granted the
privilege of running lunch room ad-
joining Representative hall, to a rope
ka man. Some one has inquired II MI
Dawes opinion will prevent this being
done again.
As a result of the opinion handed
down by Attorney General Dawes, the
women have made other arrangements
land inaugural dinner will be served at
S14 Kansas avenue.
Mr. Dawes announced his decision to
Mrs. D. c. Tillotson, Mrs. D. l. Furbeck
and Mrs. Henry, members of the com
mittee appointed by the club to confer
with the state officers to secure the
privilege of serving the dinner
N
upon which the executive council based
its refusal to allow the dinner, is as
follows:
/. because it was not built for the
purpose of being run as a hotel
2. Because, if such privileges are
granted to one, they should be granted
to all who ask, as one person has the
same rights in and to public buildings
as another person, and such permission
would lead to such abuses as TO de-
stroy the usefulness of the building Tor
the purposes for which it was intended
3. The capitol building was built at
public expense, for public purposes and
should only be used for such purposes
!. Because, such action would be ia
ken as a precedent, and hereafter on
public occasions all manner of people
would be making requests of the execu-
tive council for the use of the building
! for all manner of purposes to the
great annoyance OF the public, and TO
the great injury of the public business.
I d.
| letter and spirit of the laws of the state
governing the state house.
| 6. Because it is absolutely wrong
| from a legal, business or any other
standpoint from which it may be view
| ed.
Z. Because, paragraph 6637 general
! statutes places the charge, care and
| management Of the state house in
| the hands of the executive council and
! authorizes such council to employ
guards and watchmen for the protec-
| ton of the same. and not for the pur-
| pose of empowering said council to let
it out for private purposes
The club held a meeting yesterday
| afternoon and elected Mrs. Dr. McLal-
lin. Miss A C. Griffin, Mrs. E. S. Sly
and Mrs. ]. ]. Miller delegates to the
| state convention of wOmen's clubs next
| Tuesday in this city.
The state silver conference will be
| held at that time and the women have
! started out to organize an auxiliary
| state association of clubs.
| The Topeka women seem to be the
| principal workers in this plan.
The opening meeting will be held
| Tuesday morning. Mrs. d. c. Tillotsor
will deliver the address of welcome anc
Mrs. Annie L. Diggs will respond. Mrs
| w. NJ. Stryker will deliver an address
| upon the subject: Woman and the
| Dollar" The remainder of the days
session will be occupied with business
the adoption of a constitution and max
ing a platform being the principal sub
jects which will be considered in add
+;D r. r1n of lff