The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-15

measure. Mr.. Munger has said that if
he was confirmed as a regent of the
State Agricultural college by a special
session he would resign at once, as he
did not believe in that way of doing.
He also read part of a personal letter
from Edwin Taylor, representative from
WyandOtte county, in which Mr.. Tay-
lOr says:
The future is already dark; if an ex-
ira session is called it win be black
Let US accept the result without COM
planning. This is best in politics as in
private life"
Senator Harris opposed the measure
as poor party policy, after which Cover
nor Leedy asked for some expression
from the members of the house and SEN
ate who were present as to the proba-
bility of accomplishing anything in case
a special session was called.
Speaker Street, who is also a member
of the board of charities, and who was
supposed to side with the advocates of
the special session, discouraged the idea.
cohslGer tHe passage OL d IdlIIodu ,
bill by the present legislature as abSO-
Iutely hopeless he said THAT is my
honest judgment, but in case a special
session is called [ pledge myself to do
all in my power to make it success
Senator H. G. Jumper, who is chair-
man of the board of charities, made the
longest speech of the evening. L don't
know that this caucus is fairly repre-
sentative of the Populist party" he be-
gan, 'but 1 notice a pretty fair repre-
sentatiOn of Office-hOlders and eX-oftice
holders. w nlle there nave Deen some
able arguments presented in opposition
to a special session 1 still think there
ought to be one If it was the duty OF
the legislature to pass railroad law
two years agO it is just as much their
duty now. But they can't do it unless
they are called together, and hold that
it is the governors duty TO call them
together and give them chanCe TO 90
something. 1 do not believe it VIII hurt
the party as some of you think. The
people admire bold moves. The Repub-
licans stole the election from US in 1880.
They stole the house Of 1898 from US and
battered down the doors of Representa-
tive hall We thought the people would
condemn them for it, but they didn't
because they admired their boldness If
the governor cOnVeneS the legislature
at this time it will meet with the appro-
baton of the people and it IS the thlnS
to do. What defeated US IN the IaSI
election was the lack of railroad legls-
lation, and we should set ourselves
right now"
Chairman Riddle opposed the special
session and gave his theory as to the
cause of the party defeat. THE people
stayed away from the polls, ne saIu,
not so much to elect the Republicans
az to show their displeasure at our tall-
ure to give them railroad legislation
We have stated our case and had our
day in court. We have shown beyond
dispute that the Leedy administrat tion
was the best administration the state
ever had, and on this showing we lost
Our day of grace is passed, ana we
should abide by the expressed VIII OF
the people and desist, subside, get out.
Mr. Riddle also took occasion to CEN
sure those of the POpulist speakers VINO
had commended the Mckinley admins
tration for it's conduct of the war; He
called no one by name, but it was
known that Attorney General Boyle
Senator Harris and a. few others were
the ones referred to.
Judge Doster, Judge Allen, John Bry-
den and few others were opposed to
the proposition. Congressman Vincent,
James Butler, Geo. t McGrath and H.
b Fleharty were inclined to favor it.,
although the latter has heretofore been
opposing it.
When it became evident that there
was so much sentiment opposed to the
special session several of its advocates
kept silent The caucus lasted until
after IL o'clock.