The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-03
STAND BY BAILEY.
State Society of Labor Endorses
the Governor.

The sixth annual convention of the
State Society of Labor and Industry
Will probably adjourn this evening.
There is no further routine business to
transact except the endorsement by the
society of the mine workers choice for
member of the legislative committee.
The miners are in session in the senate
chamber. and not word from them
has been received by the officers of the
association. Stormy scenes are report
ed to be part of the programme in the
miners convention, which is largely at
tended by delegates who are not dele
gates to the regular convention.
Late yesterday afternoon, while reso-
buttons were being read, one drafted by
the Socialists. which asked for the en-
dOrsement by the association of the So
cialtst party. and which had been left
open by the committee on resolutions,
Speeches were made by F. J. Mccall
lister. Socialist- for the resolution, and
by a number of others. some of them
Socialists, against it. Francis Curry,
who was chosen as a member of the
legislative committee, spoke against
the resolution. st think it is rank nom
sense to bring such a proposition before
a meeting Of this kind" he said.
The election of officers was rather
tame. Geo. w. Brandon was reelected
president by reclamation. c. P. Allen,
of the Building Trades, and H. P. Mill
Ter of the BARRIERS union. both of To-
vice president. Allen was elected. c.
Van Pelt, c. D. Churchill and F. Curry
were elected members of the legislative
committee.
Among the resolutions which were
passed without a dissenting voice being
raised were the following:
Whereas, the legislature of 1903 pass
ed house bill No. 6S1 introduced by Mr..
Dolley amending the law relating to ex-
emptions said law making the earnings
OF a debtor subject to garnishments in
the amount of rs per cent of his wages
and the costs of the court in such case
regardless of the conditions, circum-
stances or needs of those depending
upon said debtor, and,
Whereas, this amendment was of I'M
due severity, creating an avenue for the
pernicious abuse of this law against
unfortunate and Victimized wage earn
ers, by continuous garniShments, whose
families might be In dire distress, and,
Whereas, our legislative committee
of the State Society of Labor by ener-
getic, prompt and decisive action
through the cooperation of hundreds OF
our unions in protesting to Governor
Bailey, succeeded in having said gar
nishment bill vetoed, and,
Whereas, Governor Bailey in his
veto message said: I return herewith
house bill No. 681, an act to amend sec
ton 1867 of the general statutes of 1901
relating to exemptions, without my ap-
proval. This bill subjects % per cent OF
debtors earnings to garnishment pro
cess, while the present law under the
same circumstances exempts them all
From the numerous letters and tele-
grams received by me, it is clear thai
the wage earners of the state regard
this bill as unjust to them and to theil
families. So long as no law requires
credit to be given, I do not deem it wise
to impair the present security of thu
debtors family against the sequestra-
ton of the earnings of its head for three
months preceding the issuance of judi
cial process against him.
Therefore he it resolved by the
State Society of Labor in convention
assembled that we most emphatically
approve their vigorous and energetic