The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-18
CHURCH BALKS.
Authority of Governor w. e.
Stanley Is Defied.
Road Agent Battey Will Keep
the ''Fees."
COMMISSIONERS WARY.
Intimates That He Was Not
Consulted.
Governor Issued His Order on
Own Responsibility.
COMMISSIONER WARY.

w. c. Austin received 81 per day for
his services as an expert accountant in
the examination of the Kansas Mutual
Life Insurance company. He was paid
800 by the governor. Mr.. Austin's ex-
penses We're nearly $40. This leaves a
balance of little more than $50 for his
services, which extended over a period
of thirty-ffve days.
Mr.. Austin has returned to the insur-
ance department the $42O which he was
paid by the insurance company and
Mr.. Church says the money has been
turned into the state treasury.
Asked today if Senator Battey would
be expected to return the part of the
money he received, Mr.. Church said:
He will not be asked to return the
money and trust to the next legislature
for his pay for this work.
Has Mr.. Battey been asked to re-
turn the $450?'
L have not asked him to do so,'' said
Mr.. Church.
Has the governor made a demand
for it?'
I do not know said Church.
DO you know anything about the
proceedings in this matter?'
Not very much" replied Mr.. Church.
Who has taken the initiative?"
nave not done so" was the answer.
Have you been deprived of the
power to run your own Officer"
I do not believe So" said the super
Are you responsible for this demand
for the return of the money!"
No, sir
What do you know about it?''
Nothing at all"
Governor Stanley is out of town, but
it is the impression among the state
officers that the governor took this
matter out of the hands of Mr. Church
and ordered the examiners to turn the
money into the treasury.
From the circumstances surrounding
the case, it would seem that Mr.. Aus
tin was compelled to disgOrge not be-
but because he was drawing two saIar-
les for his job He was compelled to
give up the money pald py the lnsur-
ance company. He was permitted to
keep the $50.
If the governor proposes to be con-
sistent his friends expect that he will
ask Mr.. Battey to return the money.
Mr.. Battey has been telegraphed to
come to Topeka. He received the mes
sage several days ago but he has paid
no attention to it. One of Battey's
friends said today:
He will not return the money He
worked for it and will keep it. This
playing to the galleries which has been
made public will prove an injury in
stead of benefit to the administration
Mr.. Stanley has been saying that each
department official must be responsible
for his own acts but it seems that he
has for the time being depOSed Super
intendent Church and taken up the
work of the department of insurance
himself"
Mr. Church was asked today if Mr.
Battey would be asked to return the
money collected from the Indiana State
Life to the department for deposit in
the state treasury. He replied by say
T think not"
What sort of a play is this which is
now being made on this subject?" was
asked
Il could not tell you" replied the
superintendent.
Mr.. Church seems to know very lit
tie about the proceedings. Question
ed about the reported filing of
charges against him by the POpulists
Mr.. Church said:
I think the examiners representing
this department have violated no law
It is my sincere desire to comply with
the laws governing this department. If
any man or set of men believe that
they have just ground for complaint
and desire to file charges against me
I am perfectly willing that they should
do so. I am ready to approach hear
ing because I believe I have complied
with the law in every respect. I have
not violated the law. The examiners
have not violated the law; the proceed
ings have been regular"
The governor who has a large con-
tingent fund. suggested to Mr.. Church
that he pay the examiners from the in
Surance department contingent fund,
thereby making the state pay for the
examination of an insurance company.
To this Mr.. Church offers serious OBJ
jections. He said:
The contingent fund of this depart
ment is only 900 per year. Suppose
an emergency would arise and demand
that examiners be sent east to invest
igate the condition of company doing
business in this state. They could not
go because there is no money to pay
them for the work or to pay the expen-
ses of the trip"
This would prevent the examination
of Insurance companies and do away
with the power of the superintendent
to make examinations. The governor
is opposed to the road agent business.
so he says. and it is believed that the
contingency which would prevent their
appointment under any circumstances
would please him.
SIN RIINNING AGAIN.