The Topeka state journal., 1898-12-10
70 CALL II.
Well Defined Report That an
Extra Session
OF the Legislature Will Be Call
ed Next Week
TO MEET ON DEC. 18TH
Sixty POpulist Members Have
Signed a Pledge
To Pass the Desired Railroad
Bill.
70 MEET ON DEC. 18TH

Governor Leedy will call a special ses-
sion of the legislature when he returns
from his home at Lawrence some time
the forepart of next week The date for
the session has not been definitely de-
cided on, but it is expected that it will
be December 19.
Soon after the conference held in the
governors office a few weeks ago to
consider the advisability of calling
special session, at which the sentiment
seemed to be strongly against 1t. good
many of the oId-Iine Populists over the
state woke up to the fact that they
wanted an extra session and they began
to besiege Governor Leedy with letters,
asking him to call the legislature to-
gether before he went out of Office.
Especially was this true in the case of
many of the members of the house,
whose honesty had been questioned by
some of the governors closest advisers
at the conference. Others came sn to
see the governor. In conversation with
one of the latter Governor Leedy prom
ised to call the legislature together pro-
vided he had assurances that majority
of them would vote for railroad legisla-
tion.
It was proposed that steps be taken
quietly to ascertain the sentiment of
the members of both house and senate
regarding a railroad bill should the op-
portunity be given them to vote on one.
w. T. Upton. secretary of the Populist
committee, was selected as the one to
write 10 the nenEers. In his letter
Mr. Upton called attention to the fact
that the honesty of the last legislature
had been impugned by certain promi-
nent Populists, and he enclosed a pledge
to be signed by each member. The
pledge was that the member would sup
port a railroad bill as demanded by the
Abilene platform, and also such other
legislation as a caucus of the party
should recommend.
Thus far 60 of the Populist members
of the house have signed the pledge
and g members of the senate There
are several members in each house yet
to hear from. There are already enough
pledged in the senate to pass the bill,
but So are required in the house, and it
is expected that from three to five more
will be received by the middle of next
week.
H. Richards, of Fort Scott, attorney
OF the Missouri Pacific. came to Topeka
yesterday to consult with other railroad
men about the matter. Mr.. Richards
also called at the state house to see At
torney General Boyle. but the latter is
not in the city.
The railroads do not fear any Iegisla-
tion by the next legislature, nor do the
Populists hope for any. They say that
each house will prepare it's own railroad
bill. and as they will be at loggerheads,
neither of them will be passed and each
will lay the blame on the other.
Governor Leedy went home to Law
renee yesterday, but Private Secretary
Lewis says that he has no definite
knowledge regarding the call Webb
McNalI, who stands very close to the
governor, said that a week ago he did
not believe there would be a special
session, but he had now revised his
opinion and would say that he does not
know, which is taken to mean, by those
who are favorable to the call, that the
special session will be called.
'tOne thing is sure" said PopuIist
who is in favor of the call today, cit all
rests with Governor Leedy whether we
have any railroad legislation or not. He
has the written promises of the mem
bers to pass a railroad bill if he gives