The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-28
TRAINS MUST WAIT
Law Proposed to Give Train
men a Chance to Note.
STANLEY Is IN FAVOR OF 1T
Has Asked for Statistics
Figures for the State.

An effort is being made to have law
enacted to compel railroad companies TO
handle their train service on election day
| in such a manner as to not deprive rail-
road men of their votes. The railroad
men of this city and the state are look
/ ing up the matter and viii try to force
/ law through the next legislature. A
| railroad man wrote Governor Stanley on
the subject and his reply follows:
"You remember you spoke to me before
1 was elected, calling my attention to the
fact that a number Of trainmen were de-
prived of their votes by being compelled
to go out on their runs before the polls
were opened in the morning and return
ing after they were closed at night, often
not till next day.
81 told you that if elected would sug-
gest the passage of some law that would
RICH his wrong and make some provision
for enabling the trainmen a5sen on such
trips to cast their votes. I inclose here
with a copy of my message which shows
my recommendation in that respect. The
legislature took no notice of the matter,
so no law was passed. l was new in the
office then, and had but little knowledge
of the manner of procuring desired legis-
lation, and even if 1 had been fully in
formed. 1 was so, overwhelmed with office
seekers at the commencement Of the
term that Ihad but little time to devote
to legislation.
Il think there IS but little doubt that
the Republican ticket will be elected next
fall, as well as a Republican legislature.
In that event, L desire to take UP some
of the matters suggested in my last mes
sage and procure legislation of the kind
1 then suggested. / hardly know how TO
get the statistics necessary to enable me
to present this to the Legislature in an
intelligent form. 1 ought to have Tea-
sonable information as to the number Of
trainmen who are deprived of their bal
lots by being away on their runs on cleo
ton day. Would it not be possible f1T
you to take this up with some fthe
conductors, engineers and other trainmen
on the different divisions fine different
roads and procure this information 50
that I may have it at the proper time?
1 take dt that the men who lose their
votes on those runs are conductors, engi-
neers, firemen, route agents and express
messegers, but you will know much bet
ter than 1 and will also know better how
to get the information. I wish you would
help me in this matter and I would very
much appreciate your kindness. Yours
very truly, w E. STANLEY"
The passage referred to in the message
is as follows:
Railroad connections at many of the
division points are such that in many in
stances train crews baggagemen, express
agents and postal clerks are compelled to
leave their homes early in the moring
and not able to return during the day.
This condition practically disfranchises
those who are compelled to go out on
election day. Some means should he de-
vised if possible, by which these persons
could deposit their ballots before leaving
home with some officer who should turn
them over to the election board, under
such restrictions and safeguards as would
make mistakes impossible. and to pre-
serve rather than abridge the privilege
of voting"
The trainmen made reply as follows:
"Your esteemed favor of the 24th re-
ceived and contents noted. 1 take pleas
ure in furnishing you the information You
desire. 1 made a careful estimate OF the
number of men deprived of their votes
by being away from home on election
day. This estimate includes men in rail-
way services only, engineers, nremen,
conductors, brakemen, porters, mail
clerks expressmen etc We figure FORTY
divisions in Kansas on the different lines.
which make the sum total of 1760, but
we think that a fair estimate Will be 300
men. Hoping this will be satisfactory,
remain etc.