The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-27
NOT ALL SERENE.
Suppressed Facts About Meeting
of Republican Committee.
Mr.. Richards Was in Full War
Paint.
I'VE FALSE REPORTS.
Charged Members With Closing
Eyes to Conditions.
Said That There Is a Revolt in
the Party.

harmonious at the recent meeting of
the Republican state central commit
tee-that is, in the executive session
OF the committee. 1t was expected
that the dinner given by the commit
tee to the candidates would put every
BODY in good humor and spread har-
mony around in big chunks, and it
worked that way for a while But
finally things got crossways and the
air was filled with lurid language and
some rather pronounced statements.
1t all started over the reports which
some of the committeeman made of
political conditions in their respective
districts. Captain Tom Hays told how
everything was lovely and the Re
publ1cans are dwelling in peace and
harmony in Wyandotte county, when
1t is by no means a secret that the Re-
publican party in Wyandotte county is
badly divided. w. T. F. Donald told
how conditions had improved in Atch-
lSOn county, and none but good re-
ports were made. Only part of the
members of the committee had been
called on to report, when Chairman
Stubbs remarked that he was gratified
to hear such good reports from all
parts of the state and was about to
pass on to something else, when some
member who ought to have known
better called for a report from Andy
Richards of Sumner county.
According to reports that have leak
ed out, Mr.. Richards said that he had
originally intended to tell just how
things stood in his county and ask for
advice, but in view of the reports that
he had seen made he didn't know
whether to tell about Sumner county
or not He said he had heard reports
from Miami and Wyandotte, and Jack
son and AtchiSon counties other than
the ones which had been made in the
committee, and somebody was either
badly informed concerning conditions
in a good many counties or else there
were a lot of blank liars running
around loose. Mr.. Richards is said
to have dweIt on these reports in de-
tail and as he progressed his language
grew more and more picturesque. AT
length Donald of AtchiSOn Jumped up
and said he had not been allowed to
finish his report; that it was true that
conditions were greatly improved IN
Atchison county, but still it is not GER
tain that the Republicans can carry it.
Mr.. Richards then explained that
there are about 400 wet voters in
Sumner county who have been voting
with the Republicans but who will
vote for Dale unless they are satisfied |
with Mr.. Hochs position regarding |
prohibition. Mr.. Stubbs said the gov
ernor has no more to do with the en- |
forcement of the prohibitory law than
any other citizen. but Richards said |
this would not bring those wet voters
into line.
Newt Allen of Erie then suggested
that if Mr.. Richards would explain
why taxes were so high to his people
and what the Republicans propose to
do about it. it would make votes for
the ticket
You are one of the leaders of the
machine" said Mr.. Allen. You ought
to be able to tell why taxes are high"
81 am not one of the leaders of the
machine or anything else, Richards
is said to have replied. IF you want
TO know what makes taxes high ask
YOUR state chairman there in the
chair. He was on the house ways and
means committee in the last leg1sla-
ture and not only voted for every ap-
propria ton bill that passed, but Tor
half a million dollars more that didn't
This sort of argument is said to
have lasted for an hour and a haIf,
and when the meeting closed there
was not near as much harmony in ev1-
dence as when it opened.
There seems to be a great amount of
worry in certain state house circles
A bout the work of the state accountant.
Whether there is any ground for that
worry will appear to the public when
he accountant gets through with his
and makes his report.
Those who appear to be doing the Wor-
wing insist that there is nothing wrong
With their departments. If this is true,
md il is to be hoped that it is, there
should be no objection to an examina-
ion by the state accountant on the
contrary such an examination ought TO
De welcomed by the officials in charge
At any rate every effort possible has
oeen made to discourage and discredit
he work of the accountant. The lat
.st attempt was the story that he is
irawing salary at the rate of $4,000 a
rear when the statute fixes his salary
II 81 200. This rule has been in force
or years but it was not discovered
lntil Mr.. Rowett began to draw his
salary. No state accountant has drawn
ess than $1,000 a year for many years.
The same rule has been in force in
several of the other departments. In
he attorney generals office the stat
lite gives the assistant attorney gen
,ral 81 500 n year, but he has been
81, 800, and special assistant not
authorized by statute has been employ
d at 81 500 year. In the bank COM
nissioner's office the two bank examin-
RS are paid $1.S0G a year by appropria-
ion instead of the 81, 200 allowed by ,
tatute When times became good it
vas found that men competent to ex-
mine blanks could not be kept at a
ialary of 81 20n q year, as they could
make much more in other lines of wcs = I
% the legislature increased their salar-
es by appropriation but did not repeal
he old salary statute. The same rule ]
Lpplies to the clerk and stenogra pher in .
he same Office. The warden of the pen
Tertiary and the superintendent of .
insurance are allowed 81, 900 a year by
tatute but draw $500 a year by ap-
,ropriation-
on the other hand, an old law which
S still on the statute book but which {
eemingly ought not to be there allows ]
he state mine inspector salary of ST. j
90 a year, but the appropriation gives !
lin only 81, 500 He accepts the appro- {
,riation without question. {
L I