The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-10
The FLAG
DIDN'T FLOAT
From the Top of the State
House Dome
When Governor Stanley Was
Inaugurated and Great
WAS THE BUZZING
About, When Its Absence Was
Noted.
WAS THE BUZZING
The "Whys and Wherefores'
of the Matter Unearthed.

Although yesterday was inauguration
day, no flag fioated from the dome of
the state house till long after all the
exercises of the day had been conclud-
ed. Even when the oversight had been
noticed it seemed impossible to get the
flag up.
Assistant Adjutant General Boyd was
the first to notice the oversight. He
first saw it soon after the inaugural
ceremonies were over WITH and he
called the attention of one of the jan
itors to the fact that the flag ought to.
be up. The janitor did not know where
the flag was that belonged on the dome,
and so he did not trouble himself about
the matter.
Later some of the Republicans noticed
it and they began buzzing around to
know why the flag was not up. One of
them went to the adiutant generals
office and demanded to know why the
flag was not in place.
Il understand" he said, that you
have had the flag up every day for
months, and now when the Republicans
come in it can not be found"
The insinuation made Adjutant Gen
eral Allen rather warm, and he replied
hotly that his department had nothing
to do with the flag, but he knew that
it had not hoated from the dome for
months.
But you have a flag over both the
wings" persisted the Republican. why
is that?"
legislature is in session under each
flag" replied Colonel Allen. THE flags
are all in the keeping of the secretary
of state, as custodian of the state house,
and are subject to his orders. If you
go to him he can probably tell you
where the flag is
The committee in search Of the flag
went TO the "a Off
and were informed that the flag had
been turned over to the committee on
decorations and all orders with regard
to flags had been left with the commit
tee. The committee had forgotten about
the dome.
The flag searchers then hunted up the
committee on decorations and found
that the dome flag had been used with
others as drapery for Representative
hall. The searchers demanded it, but
the committee refused to give it up
without requiSitiOn from the secre-
tary of state.
John Anderson, one of the colored jan
itors was ordered to get a requisition
and see that the flag was put up. The
new force of clerks in the secretary of
states office was not used to issuing
acquisitions, but they did after some
delay, and armed with the requisition
the janitor marched to Representative
hall and took possession of the flag.
He started with it for the dome, but
met with another obstacle. The door
the state house guide who had the key
not to be found.
About this time Governor Stanley
came over from the Copeland and to
him the troubled janitor went for or
ders as the head of the state govern
ment.
You will have to 'scuse US, suh," be-
gan the janitor, taking off his cap and
making low bow, "foh not havin the
flag up, but we couldn't get it widout
no requisition, sub, and de do to de
dome is locked, sub, and we can't git up
to put de flag up, suh.''
The corners of the governors mouth
began to twitch with amusement as he
realized that a time had come for him
to exercise his authority.
why don't you unlock the door?" he
asked.
Il amt got no key said the janitor
''Wen, that's easily remedied,'' said
the governor. ''Send down town and get
Iocksmith. 1t won't take five min
utes."
Eyes. suh,'' replied the janitor MAX
ing another low bow.
AS the janitor was starting to put
the governors order into execution he
found the guide with the missing key,
and at 4:30 the flag fioated from the
state house dome.
Someone started the story that Gov
ernor Stanley had ordered the door to
be battered down with an ak in order
to reach the dome, but such foolish
talk was made.