The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-25
Council Grapples With City
Hall Problem.
Enthusiasm Has Not Been Dam
pened by Obstruction.
NEW ELECTION
Resolution to That Effect FaV-
OrabIy Received.
Will Be Finally Acted On Wed
nesday Evening.

The Topeka city council will soon or
der a. new election to allow the people
to vote on the city hall question under
the general law. City Attorney Bird
would like to have the question post
poned until after the supreme court
acts but the people of Topeka are not
willing to wait. They have voted once
to build a city hall and they do not
propose to be imposed upon any longer
The best lawyers in Topeka say that
the right of the city to vote bonds FOR
A city hall is clear under the general
law and there is not a single thing 70
be gained by waiting. 1t might SATISFY
some doubts in Mr.. Birds mind put the
people of the city are little luteresleu
in the fine points of the law and a new
city hall is needed at once It IS hoped
that Mr.. Bird Will not act as one OF the
obstructionists by attempting TO force
a pOstpOnement on technlca4 Id"
point. -
There is probably not a law on the
statute books which would not give
lawyers and obstructiOnists some eX-
cuse for delay. Let the enemies OF pro-
gress in Topeka find these opportunl-
ties if they must be fOund-the 1rlenus
of the city are looking for opportunities
for prompt action.
Councilman Hughes of the sixth
ward introduced a resolution at the
meeting Monday evening providing 1or
the calling of a new election at once
1t was decided that out of courtesy TO
the Commercial club which has ap-
pointed a committee of lawyers 10 IN
vestigate the question that -.Su ION
should be deferred a few days and the
resolution accordingly went over until
Wednesday evening It is as follows:
Whereas. public buildings to accom-
MEDIATE the municipal offices, fire de-
partment and for other public purposes
are needed by the city Of Topeka, ana
whereas the general laws of the state
of Kansas give to the mayor and coun-
oil
and sell real estate and to issue the
bonds of the city in any sum necessary
for the erection of public buildings 1or
the uses of the city; therefore be II
Resolved, by the mayor and council
men of the city of Topeka That II IS
hereby declared to be the sense OF the
mayor and cOuncilmen that we at once
proceed under said general laws to call
and hold a special election for the pur-
pose Of issuing bonds for the erection Of
such public building;
Resolved further. That the mayor be
and is hereby authorized to accept
from the knights and Ladies of Sc
curity full payment for the city build
ing and to deliver the deed therefor and
that the three fractional lots at the
corner of Seventh and Quincy streets
be paid for as soon as the city attorney
has examined the abstract of title
thereto and declared the same to be
perfected;
Resolved, further, That the city at
tOrney be and is hereby directed to pre-
council at their first meeting an or
dinance providing for the holding of
special election under the general laws
of the state of Kansas for the purpose
of voting upon the proposition to issue
bonds of the city of Topeka for the
sum of $50, 900 for the purpose of erect
ing a building or buildings for the uses
of the city
Councilman Roundtree objected to
the resolution because it included sew
eral subjects.
Councilman Warner said: LAS I I'M
derstand it, we have a perfect right to
go ahead under the general law and 1
believe we ought to do SO at once. The
people are tired of delays"
City Attorney Bird would like to
know whether you intend to proceed
under the old law or the new law. You
must remember that the court has en-
joined everything you did under the
new law.
Councilman Mergan-I understand
that the court has nothing to do with
this. We have a general law and we
can proceed under that
Mr. Bird-And you may go to jail too
Councilman Hughes-I am in favor of
going ahead. am perfectly willing to
take my chances on going to jail We
surely have the right to sell the city
building OF purchase real estate.
Mr.. Bird do not know how far
reaching the decision will be for we
were not able to agree upon a journal
entry. It may be that sale of building
and purchase of a site have been en-
Joined.
Councilman Nettels-It IS plain to me
that we have a clear right to proceed
and hold another election under chap
ter As.
Mr. Bird do not believe that chap
ter As applies in this case and I be
lieve bonds issued under it would be
void. Gentlemen, would like to call
attention to the fact that the CONNER
cial club has appointed a committee to
look into this matter and would it not
he we'll to wait until we hear from
them? There are several good law
yers on the committee. Nothing will be
lost by waiting a few days, and it may
avoid complications.
Councilman NetteIs-I think, perhaps,
it would be a sensible thing to refer
this if We can have a meeting this
week.
Councilman Elliott believe it
should be referred.
A motion to refer the resolution to
the ways and means committee was
adopted with the understanding that