The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-16
THE SPECIAL SESSION.
Some of the Details Leading Up
to Proposition.

Governor Bailey has been most anx-
ious to relieve the distress of individ-
uals, enterprises and communities that
have suffered from the Kansas floods.
He has desired to meet the situation
without recourse to a special session of
the legislature if that were possible.
This is natural for there is a widespread
feeling against special sessions. In
deed, there is a general sigh Of relief
when regular session adjourns and
the average Kansas thanks his good
fortune that he lives in a state where
the law makers. doorkeepers and the
superintendent of ventilation come to-
gether only once in two years.
There are nightmare visions when the
duly established legislatures turn them
selves loose on the state and an
additional gripping pain with mince pie
effect accompanies any thought of a
special session.
The average citizen throws up his
hands and seems to say: Good Lord,
deliver US
There is no telling what special ses-
sion may perform in addition to what
it is called upon to do. There is no
power to prevent all sorts of alleged
wise ana palpaDiy unW1Se endclnentS-
We are too much given to law making
We need fewer ones. to say nothing of
better ones.
There has been no insistent demand
from any part of the state for flood
session except from WyandOtte coun-
ty. The pressure has been the other
way.
The Wyandotte county people do not
urge one for the opportunity of secur-
ing aid from the state, but solely for
the worthy purpose of helping them
selves.
They ask a session merely for the pun
pose of permitting them to vote from
$500, 900 to $500, 900 in bonds to rebuild
their bridges
Governor Bailey until Monday even
ing hoped that a plan might be de-
vised which would obviate the necessity
of legislative action at this time he
had in mind the issuance by the coun-
" commissioners of Wyandotte county
bonds to the extent required. lie be-
lieved that the school fund commission
would be warranted in taking a sui
fcient number of these bonds to insure
their complete valuation at the next
regular session of the legislature
He believed that the Kansas City,
Missouri. banks and the large corpo-
rate interests in the twin cities Woul9
advance the money on these ponds anu
carry them until the enabling act
incidentally he happened to meet At
tornev General GODDARD and another gen
tleman. both of the Topeka nnaiice
committee and unfolded ms plan y
them, at the same time requesting. 1he s'l
two gentlemen to accompany MN 70
Kansas CITY for a second conference
with the representative people OF Wy -
andotte county.
The governor desired that as iaTSe d
number of the executive council as pos
eihIe he with him at the same time, put
state Treasurer Kelly was the oIly
member in Topeka Attorney eIens S a.
Coleman was at St. Francis on import
o,7t business for the state in connection
,-i+b he Dewev affair. Secretary OF
state Burrow and State Auditor " eiis
were at their respective homes IN Siiiill
Center and Erie and were DELAYED py
the irregular trains in reaching Iopekd
~. Kansas CITY Mr. DayhOff was at
tending teachers meetings at some place
'''1 The governor succeeded in reaching
bv wire Secretary Burrowl ana AUDITOR
wells both of whom started Tor Kan
sas CITY. Mr. Wells arrived late aIter
tbe conference. Mr. BurrOw failed TO
make connections altogether
At the meeting were r. l. Marshman,
IoseDh Butler and James kllmer, the
board of commissioners of Wyandotte
county Among others present Were ~
T. Rercer ex-auditOr of Wyandotte
j
nan. senator J. K. CubbisOn; Senator
Tanoes I. Allen of Doniphan county
ex-senator w. J. Buchan, James e5l ~
son. John McFadden, c. X. Wels, K n
Perkins and Mr. James Oh ehe - %
Packing company.
csovernor GALLEY began the conference
by saying he was there 70 use nus y
hest efforts to enable the peopit u
Wandotte county 70 feco'is $3.50. - "a
bridges He said he was opposed 10
caIIinga special session If there were any
other way for the county 10 lssue M
necessary bonds. There is intense Up
POSITION to a special session. SAID ne
ssWvandotte county is the only county
in the state which asks it. A speclal
session of the legislature is a menace 70
the state Twice in the State HlSeoL
has it been called Each time II was
nroved that such measure should pc
avoided if possible -.
outlined above and called upon MT. Oou-
ard to give his views
Mr. GODDARD said he had not examined
into the subject very thoroughly. put
thought the governor pan IhIsnI pe
nut into a feasible. practicable WoIklns
3roposition with the assistance OF the
Kansas City, No, banks and othef cor
porate interests.
Ne gave a number of instances where
aroerreucies required the doing OF Ger
tain things, not strictly legal, 1ue " tte
were demanded by the exigencles OF the
cases and the valuation OF Whlch M17
certain upon the convention of the leg
islature-
Several unexpected obstacles quickly
ma tsrialized. 1t was discovered that
at one time some years ago Wyandotte
4 county rad voted 600 in bonds and
~ tecbnicaIitv. the county had declined
to 1 redsena the bonds. some of which had
been held by Kansas City, Mo, banks
! and their friends.
of
made in Kansas City. No, yesterday by
Henry Allen. at the request Of the gov
ernor. developed the fact that the Kan
sas city, Mo. banks would not advance
the Man suggested by Governor Bailey.
+ It also developed that a far larger
amount of money than the governor
anticipated, from 100000 to S'70'oee,