The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-21
COMING IN.
Members of the State Senate
Arriving
To Begin the Stuart Falcon
Contest Hearing.
"a ARE COUNTED ON.
Most of Them to Arrive on
Afternoon Trains.
A Farce That Will Probably
Cost Kansas $4,000.

Eleven PopuIst senators had arrived
in Topeka up to noon today to be on
hand to begin the Stuart-Falloon con-
test case, which is set for 4 o'clock this
afternoon. These eleven are Senators
King, Pritchard, Armstrong, Shaffer,
Titus, Ryan, Forney, Lewelling, Stone,
Sheldon and Farrelly- Senator thinner
was here yesterday, but he went up to
St. Joe today to attend the wedding OF
a relative and will not return till to-
morrow.
Those who are here seem to be posi-
tive that the case will be tried. They
think they will get enough voluntary
witnesses to attend to satisfy them.
without having to pay any mileage and
witness fees in advance; but if they 40
not, a plan will probably be devised to
talked of among the senators yet.
The investigation is purely politi-
cal, carried on by politicians for politi-
cal reasons, and is not entitled to the
respect of the public. The spectacle of
one set of politicians investigating an
other set of politicians is certainly
amusing. If the district in which Mr..
Falcon and Mr.. Stuart are contestants
wants it's troubles righted, why doesn't
it right them at home?
Most of the senators who have ar
rived so far are positive that quorum
will be present at o'clock this after
noon. Cooke, Campbell, Helm and
Reser are expected to arrive on the
Union Pacific train and Braddock, Cald-
We'll, campbell, CGOSSan, f1eIQ, Hart,
Helmick, Householder, Jumper, Lupfer
and Young are expected on the various
afternoon trains The Populists are eX-
pecting at least twenty-four members
present when the senate is called to or
der. This will be three more than a
quorum.
There are a few Republican senators
here, but they are simply awaiting de-
velopments and will not enter the SEN
ate unless there should be a quorum
without them. In case the senate sits
anyway they will go in and allow them
selves to be counted
Some of the members are talking of
introducing resolution, among the
first things done, asking Governor Stan
ley to pay the actual expenses of the
senators and witnesses out of his con-
tingent fund OF course, it would not
| be done with the expectation of getting
| the governor to do any such thing, but
the resolution would have a long pre-
amble to it. setting forth that the con-
test was held to uphold the honor and
good name of the state" and other
statements of the same sort.
Each one will have to pay his own
expenses and trust to some future leg
islature to pay him his mileage and per
diem. number of senators were
''joshing'' one another about paying
their bills today.
81 don't see how I can get my board
bill paid" said Senator King.
''Well," responded Senator Stone in
a I-warned-you tone of voice, you fell
lows voted for that fool boarding house
bill. Now when you want to jump your
board bill you can not do it without get
ting arrested. That's what you get for
not taking my advice"
There has been some talk about Sec
rotary of State Clark locking the doors
of the senate chamber and not allowing
the members to get in this afternoon
but they do not anticipate any trouble
| The main entrances were locked this
morning, but everyone had free ac-
cess to the chamber through the office
of the secretary of the senate, who is
at work on the journal of the regular
| session
There are plenty of ways to get in.
even if Mr.. Clark should order the doors
locked said Senator King. 1T would
be useless to try to keep US out"
There has been some discussion as
to whether a bare majority of the SEN
ate can sit as court. The statute
providing for the trial of contest cases
! makes no statement regarding a Quor-
UNI, and this is taken to mean that a
majority can transact business the
same during the legislature. The
| statute further provides that majority
| of the votes given, and not majority of
| all senators, shall decide the contest