The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-26
W Was A KICK.
Order From the War Depart
ment MObilizing
Kansas Troops in a Missouri
Town is Denounced
IN ONE VOICE BY ALL
A Big Protest Goes to Washing
ton Against 1t.
Later: Place Changed to Ft
LeavenWOrth.

Washington, April 26.-11:37 A. M
The rendezvous for the Kansas troops
has been changed from Kansas City to
the Military reservation at Fort Leav-
enworth.
'I am emphatically opposed to Kan
sas City as a place for mobilizing the
Kansas troops, and will do all in my
power to have thc order of the govern
ment designated Kansas City changed.
The troops should by all means be
modified at Topeka, and I shall in
sist that Topeka be designated
This is what Governor Leedy said
this morning as he prepared to dictate
a telegram to Secretary Alger of the
war department asking him if the. As
sociated Press report stating that KAN
sas City was the point selected for the
mobilization of the Kansas troops was
correct. Governor Leedy wanted to he
sure that there was no mistake before
he started his insistence that the loca-
ton be changed.
1.-THE report simply says Kansas
City" he continued, ''and this leaves
Mo, or Kansas City, Kan, is meant.
But anyway Kansas City, Kan, would
practically mean Kansas City, Mo. and
in my opinion it is not the proper place
to mobilize the troops, Topeka is the
proper place for more than one reason,
and the railroad facilities here are such
that there would be no trouble at all in
moving The troops. he surplus mill
tary supplies are stored here, aud the
government send the additional sup
plies needed to this state they would
naturally be consigned to the adjutant
general in this city. The country about
Topeka is high ard healthy, and the
advantages for camping and drill work
are good. Besides, L viii want to be in
touch with officers up to the time the
troops leave the state, and for this
reason they should be stationed here
where I could have immediate COM
munication with them in the event it
was necessary.
IF Kansas City, Mo, was meant as
the place of mobilizing the Kansas
troops 1 regard it as a direct Insult TO
this state. The people of no other state
in the Union have been more patriotic
in volunteering their services, aud to
take them out of the state for asse1nb-
1age when the troops of every other
state are ordered to mobilize within the
respective states is simply all outrage.
I would be almost forced to believe it
an intentional partisan slap at the pres
ent administration of Kansas.
Before the day is over said the
governor in conclusion, II hope to BE-
able to convince Secretary AIger that
Kansas City is not the place TO assem-
BILE the Kansas troops, and have Tope-
ka DESIGNATED instead"
The feeling of resentment against the
action of the government in designat-
ing Kansas City is strong among the
state officers and advisers of Governor
Leedy. Col. Fred Funston said in ref
erence to the matter:
Il think it simply a - of a move on
the part of the government if I may be
permitted to put it in that way. It
would be an insult to the state to take
the troops into Missouri to mobilize.
and if Kansas City, Kan, is meant it
would be far better than Kansas City,
and I am in favor of Topeka because
the governor could then keep in touch
with the officers and their work To-
peka is the place by all means that
should be designated
Judge John Guthrie said: "There is
undoubtedly some mistake about this
matter. L think the Associated Press
must have matters mixed. AS I under
stand the law the war department has
no right to order the Kansas troops to
rendezvous anywhere, until such troops
are sworn in as United States soldiers.
Governor Leedy was right when he
contemplated designating the recruit
ing stations and naming the place of
mobilization. AS chief
of the Kansas troops he has right to
order them to rendezvous any place he
sees fit. Until the control of the troops
passes out of his hands by having been
sworn in as United States troops, then
the war department has the power to
make orders and carry them into oper-
alton"
There is no reason why the troops
should be mobilized in Kansas City.
Topeka is much better for a point of
Topeka's ADVANTAGES
above that of Kansas City and is not
by the evil and vice which
overwhelms the Missouri town.
P T. Bonebrake said: THE action of
the war department is an outrage upon
Kansas The idea is preposterous.
Kansas troops into Missouri for mobili-
cation 1t is ridiculous 1t makes me
so mad I don't know what to do
And Mr.. Bonebrake's indignation was
very apparent. He was exceedingly
up and did not hesitate to ex-
press himself freely.
Eugene Hagan said: 'lI am agin' the
on this proposition. 1t is
strange why the troops should be mo-
bilized in Missouri. There is certainly
no good and valid reason for so doing
I should say that the war department
Kansas and that Kansans should re-
sent it. Perhaps because Missouri came
to Kansas at the beginning of the last
war, the war department at Washing