The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-24
lands QUITS.
Warden of the Penitentiary
Has Resigned.
The Resignation Will Take Ell
feet July l.
GOV. STANLEY'S VISIT
To Lansing Was Not to Talk to
COnvicts,
But to Use His Persuasive
Powers on the Warden.

A few weeks ago the Journal an
nounced that Governor Stanley's praise
of H. S. Lands, warden of the state
penitentiary, was due to the fact that
the governor had conferred with the
warden at Lansing and returned to To-
peka with the warden's resignation in
his inside pocket. The prediction was
at the time made that Lands would
leave the institution May 1 or June l.
This missed the time a month, as 1t
now comes, practically from official
sources, that the governor has Lands
resignation and that the warden Will
quit July I, at which time the governors
appointee will take charge.
J. B. Tomlinson, a Minneapolis law
yer, is slated for the place, but there
may be fight on him. He is a warm
supporter of J. r. Burton for senator,
and the fight between Burton, Leland
and Baker is in such a shape that an
effort may be made to defeat Tomlin-
son. The governor says the question of
the Senatorship will not be permitted
to enter into this matter This is ac-
cepted as official announcement that
Tomlinson will be named in due time.
He is now familiarizing himself with the
duties of his office.
Harry Lands, the warden at this
time, is an ambitious man. His sole en-
! deavor, while at the penitentiary, has
been in the direction of a good record,
and the people have the governors WORD
that Mr.. Lands has succeeded. MT
Stanley said the penitentiary is in ex-
cellent condition; that the discipline IS
first class and that from business
standpoint the institution has been we'll
managed.
Mr. Lands comes from Barber coun-
ty and may some time run for congress
lot h
will help him. While a member of the
senate, Lands was a prominent worker
and was one of the leaders.
Mr.. Tomlinson's claims for recognition
are very strong in that he was chairman
of the Fifth congressional district which
returned Calderhead to congress. Many
Republicans in the district were openly
opposing Calderhead'S reelection, but
Tomlinson, who is a popular man, sue
ceeded in smoothing out the compl1ca-
lions and got the party into good work
ing order, and then with mighty eff
fort overcame big majority against
Calderhead and elected him, defeating
w. D. Vincent of Clay Center.
Governor Stanley himself feared that
the district. would be lost not only Tor
the state ticket but for Calderhead as
we'll. Tomlinson's work attracted the
attention of the governor as we'll as the
officials at the state headquarters and
the reward which is now proposed for
Tomlinson is, by the Republican poll
ticians, regarded we'll earned.
J. w. Skinner of Cowley county be-
1ieves that he will be the warden of
the penitentiary. He claims that the
governor has practically assured
him, but this is evidently an error, be-
cause the governor indicates that Tom
linson is the man he has selected for the
place.
There is likely to be a row in Cow
ley county now. Judge John Pollock
and his friends are up in arms against
Stanley. 1t is said that Stanley sent
n
agree to accept the position of solicitor
for the court of visitation. Pollock was
serene with this assurance while the
goSSipS said he would not get it. When
a copy of the State Journal containing
the prediction that A. J. Wyatt of Wich-
tia would get this place he laughed
heartily and said the papers guess was
very bad. But Mr.. Myatt was ap
pointed and what is more the COVER
nor did not and has not up to this time,
written a line to Mr.. Pollock explain
ing that he found it necessary to make
a change in his plans. This is what
makes Pollock mad above all things.
He is now so indignant that his friends
say it would be difficult for him to
speak to the governor should he meet
him on the street.
The friends of Pollock say the judge
did not seek the position of solicitor;
that Stanley insisted he should take it
and after he had agreed to do so, was
turned down without a word of sym
pathy or explanation.
Now Mr.. Skinner is as good as de-
feated for warden yet he refuses to be-
lieve it. He thinks he will get the
place. When he is turned down Cowley
county will be turned upside down.
Recently Mr.. SINNERS home was de-
stroyed by fire and he did not want to
rebuild in the event he moved to
Lansing to take charge of the peniten-
tiary. The gossips say that Skinner
talked to the governor about this mat
ter and explained the circumstances to
him Skinner is quoted as having said
that the governor told him not to re-
build his house. Upon this and other
alleged assurances that he was to get
the wardenship Skinner bases the as
sertion that the place has been prom
Used him.
Governor Stanley says he has not
promised to give the appointment to
Skinner.