The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-18
NERAL MOURNING.
How the News of the City Hall
Injunction Was Received.

Soon after Judge Hazen announced
his decision on the city hall injunction
suit, Oscar Swayze, deputy clerk, hunt
ed up the court house flag and hung 1t
at half mast over the court house in
mourning over the death Of the city
hall law.
There is a feeling of general disap-
pointment among all citizens who have
the good of Topeka at heart over the
outcome of the suit. President Brig
ham, of the Commercial club, who has
been untiring in his efforts to get the
city hall built, said:
when the proposition was submitted
to a vote of the people it carried by a
vote of three to one, and outside of the
First ward it carried by five to one.
When we consider that Mr.. Billiard, al
ter making a practically house to house
canvass with his petition, as I am re
Hably informed he did, obtained less
than 30 signers to it after 10 days work,
it seems a $ though the people are over
Whelmingly in favor Of the proposition.
while not questioning the legality
Of Judge Hazen's decision, it seems to
me that it is unfortunate that the peO-
pie should be so hedged about by legal
technicalities that the progressive ele-
ment, which I believe largely predomi-
mates, should be delayed by the kicks
of a handful of ObstructiOnists.
AT the time I went over to talk with
Mr.. Billiard concerning this injunction
suit I told him 1 feared that, if it should
be successful, it would end permanent
~ the chances of Topeka's getting an
auditorium. He assured me that such
would not be the case, but that an au-
ditOrunl would be built in the City
park I shall watch the construction Of
that building with considerable inter
est"
Mayor Drew, in discussing the situa-
ton, said
1T is a bad state of affairs. It is a
great setback to the city. It will prob
ably delay the progress of the city for
a great while. I don't know of any
more unfortunate thing that could hap
pen just as the city is pushing ahead.
I have just wired the people who
purchased the bonds that they had been
Knocked out, and now I shall have to
write a letter explaining the situation
to them. It is a most unpleasant duty
to be compelled to perform.
After the smoke has cleared away we
will get our heads together and see
what can be done AS 1 understand it
the sale of the present city building VIII
stand. The law was all right until it
was declared unconstitutional, and as
the building has already been sold l
don't see but what the sale will have to
stand"
No one in Topeka is more disappointed
at Judge Hazens decision than Major
Anderson, secretary of the Commercial
club. For three years he has been work
ing hard to get an auditorium in some
shape or other, and last winter he eX-
erted every effort to get the auditorium
bill through the senate. He said today:
I am inclined to think the best thing
to do would be to call a meeting of the
council and vote bonds the same as
would be done for any other proposition.
The city is given the power to buy and
sell real estate for city purposes. Wich-
tia has a building that cost $1,000, the
best building in the state for the money
and am inclined to believe we could do
the same thing"