The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-27

which we insist shall be states and
municipalities, have mind to make:
This plan 1 think will overcome the
main objection to the government own
ership of railroads in that the public
need not run the road unless it wants
to. If 1t chooses we will run 1t; II It
thinks it can run it better than we can
1t IS welcome to- The valuation and
capitalization should be fixed by the
Texas railroad commission, and in such
q way that the caDitaliZatiO could not
be increased. The stocks and bonds
should be placed with the Texas rail-
road commission or the commissions of
the states owning it.
1t IS my plan to get this before the
people by public agitat tiOn, and when the
time is ripe leave it to the people them
selves to act through their legislatures
elected by them for the purpose"
This plan was heartily cheered.
In the fore part of his speech Mr.Leedy
devoted considerable time to the discus
sion of the failure of the late Iegislat ture
to do anything in the matter of a salts
factory maximum rate bill.
have my own way of doing things
said the governor. "A bill was passed,
but IL was not the bill the people of
Kansas wanted, so I took the liberty of
VetOing it disagreed with the legisla-
ture, but I desire it understood that [
cast no reflection whatever on indiVid-
ual members. One trouble with the leg
islature is that in Kansas we magnify
things that ought not to be magnifed
The election of a United States sena-
tor, for instance, takes up many days
more time than it ought The legisla-
ture had but so days to work in and
believe that under the circumstances it
did the best it could
Il said in the campaign that [ would
do all L could for lower freight rates for
the people of Kansas, and as long as [
am governor I will. (Applause). I'm
going to have it my way while I am
there 1t has been said of one of nv
predecessors that he was not governor
but waited until the second term To he
governor III 4
come. w WhlIe am in the chair I shall
De governor, and if the people are not
sausned with my administration when
my first term is up I will be willing to
step aside and let some other man trv
it.
I am asked every day why do not
calI the legislature together for the
purpose OF rate legislation. I answer [
do not think it would be fair to Won
who have to stand the expense to call
the legislature together unless I am
certain something will be done in the
matter that viii be satisfactory to YOU
Another thing. this agitation has had
this effect: it has prompted the rail-
roads to ask for a conference with the
board of railroad commissioners. which
IS now IN session, for the purpose of de-
termining if some satisfactory adjust
ment of the rates cannot be made with
out the passage of a law. If this can
be done, it is my duty to save the ex-
pense to the state, even though the ar
rangement be only temporary
I wish you to remember that this
is not a political speech. I came here
as governor of the state to simply have
a talk with you. You may ask any
questions you like. It is purely a mat
ter of business. There are inequalities
and Determinations that believe legfs-
latiOn can remedy. but we must get to-
gether and see that it is done regard
less of party afhHatton. We can't do
this if we try to maintain political
lines
And right here I wish to say a word
regarding the attorney general. You
pay him 81, 500 to fight in the courts
men whom the railroads pay S25 900,
and expect him to be just as smart and
know just as much they do. I tell
you, you can't hire a cheap boy to
carry on fight like this
Before closing Governor Leedy also
devoted a little time to the Kansas
City stock yards case. and also some
time to praise of Webb McNan for his
work as insurance commissioner in
protecting the people of Kansas from
loss.
After the speech the resolutions COM
mittee reported a set of resolutions de
nOuncing the POpulist members of the
late legislature who went back on their
constituents and refused to support the
maximum freight rate bill.