The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-13
PROMISE MADE.
That If the POpulist LegisIa-
ture Meets
1t Will Not Attempt to Legis-
late Any POpulist
INTO STATE OFFICE.
Will Confine Itself Solely to the
Railroad Bill.
Not Quite Enough Pledges Are
Yet Received.
INTO STATE OFFICE.

Owing to the fact that Secretary Tip
ton, of the Populist state central COM
mittee, could not reach Topeka today
Governor Leedy held back the caH for
the special session of the legislature
until he arrives, and until the CORE
spondence with regard to it can be can
vassed,
come over to Topeka from Lansing last
evening, but along in the evening he
teIephoned Chairman Riddle that he
had been subpOenaed as witness an
a court case and could not come until
tonight. He has received all the cor
reSpOndenCe from the members or the
legislature with regard to calling the
special session, and Governor Leedy VIII
not issue the call until he knows just
what each member says.
Governor Leedy is adverse to calling
the legislature together unless he is sure
Of a good working majority for the
measures which are proposed for con-
sideration. If there are only SO mem
bers-a constitutional majOrity-pledged
to support the railroad bill, he is afraid
something might happen to keep some
of them away at a critical time and de-
feat the entire purpose of calling the
legislature together. He Will therefore
insist it is now stated, that there shall
be at least IS pledges from Popullst
members to vote for the caucus railroad
bill.
There were 70 PopuIist members in
the last house, not counting Eli Will
as an independent Republican, but who
was really about as good a POpulist as
there was In the house. OF this 70,
three have disqualified themselves by
removing from the state or accepting
federal positions. Three others have
been non-committal regarding their ac-
lions in the event of a special session,
and 81 had pledged themselves to sup
port a railroad bill when Mr.. Upton
was last heard from yesterday. This
leaves five straight POpulist members
yet to hear from, and at the ratio the
rest have been replying it is expected
that at least four Of them will pledge
themselves for the railroad bill.
Tonight Governor Leedy will go
through the replies from the various
members of both house and senate
which Mr. Upton has received, and he
will probably issue the call tomorrow.
so it is stated by those who are in close
touch with him.
There has been some speculation as to
whether an attempt will be made to
keep the present railroad board in office
until a new one is elected, but this is
opposed by those who are pushing the
extra session scheme. They say that
the session is to be called in good faith
to carry out the promises made to the
people two years ago and not for the
purpose of hanging. on to office. 1t is
probable that the regents of the State
Agricultural college will be confirmed
because the Populists claim that they
were regularly appointed and there is
out their terms of office, but there will
be no attempt made by those who are
pushing the extra session scheme to
have any laws changed in order that
some Populist appointive officer may be
kept in power.
II am radically opposed to any at
tempt to hang on to the Offices said
Chairman Riddle 1.-THE Republicans
have won the victory and are entitled
to its rewards, and I am in favor OF
allowing them to appoint new rail-
road board and giving them a chance
to enforce the laws If they will, be-
fore an election Is held. I would OPP
pose any action other than carrying
out the pledges made to the people
when the present legislature was elect
ed and laws for the benefit of the state
at large. The railroad bill which will
be passed will be made to conform
with the decision of the courts. 1t may
not be as strong as some of US would
like to have passed, but we will make
an effort to have it pass muster in the
courts so that it will not be knocked