The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-08
OSAGE BOSSISM.
j. III. StaveIey Defeated for Re-
nomination az Representative.
Refused to Make Promises to
Dave MulVane.
A FIGHT MADE On HIM.
No Opposition If He H ad Acceded
to Demands.
Was One of the Strongest Men
& in Legislature.
A FIGHT MADE ON HIM.

The report comes from Usage county
that J. H. Staveley was defeated for
denomination for the legislature in the
south district of Usage county in the
primaries Saturday. The convention
will be held tomorrow. l. T. Hussey OF
Lyndon was Mr.. StaveIey's opponent
for the nomination.
If the reports which come from Usage
county are true, this is one of the most
pronounced Instances of bossism which
has occurred in Kansas for long time.
Staveley could have had renomina-
ton without fight if he had been will
ing TO make certain promises to the
boss buster bosses, but he refused to
make them.
1t is alleged that Staveley was offer
ed the place by ID. w. Mulvane, provid-
ed he would vote as he is told on i'm
portant questions which may come up
next winter. This he refused to do.
Again he was offered the place If he
would vote as Senator Miller does out
this also Mr.. Staveley refused to do In
fact, he refused to make promises Of
any kind to anyone, and therefore the
pins were set up to defeat him.
Staveley is not a politician, but he
was recognized as one of the biggest
men in the last legislature, notwith-
standing the fact that he went in with
the minority. He was Curtis man
and stood by Curtis through the leg
islative fight. Then he got down to
legislation. One of his fellow mem
bers recently remarked that he was
one of the five strongest members of
the house and he would be one of the
five strongest of any 125 men who
could be elected to a house of repre-
sentatives in Kansas He refused to
play politics. but was statesman rath-
er than a politician.
This is why he was defeated for re-
nomination. He is the sort of man
who would not do a thing that was
nor would he make a promise which
might hamper him in doing what he
thought was right.
That he was exceedingly useful is
shown by the fact that he saved Sena-
tor Miller's town, Usage City, from
having 90 per cent of its school reve-
nues cut of. A bill was before the
legislature which limited cities of the
second class to a levy of is mills for
school purposes and repeating a spe-
cial act by which Usage City could |
levy 20 mills. Usage City is one of
the smallest cities of the second class |
and in order to raise sufficient money |
for sch DOL purposes 1t is necessary that |
IT be allowed to make a high school |
levy. Senator Miller voted for the bill, |
which would have reduced the school /
revenue of Usage City 20 per cent, but
Staveiey noticed it when the bill got
into the house. and he had it amended |
to except Usage Cfty's special law.
The Democrats of Atchison are
talking of running Ex-Governor Click |
for the legislature in the city district 1
against G. II. Young, who has recently /
been nominated by the Republicans. |
Waggener beat John Seaton two years
ago.
Troy Chief: E. W. Hoch has had |
his name taken from the list of the
executive committee published in the /
Kansas Issue, the official organ of the
State Temperance union. Why is this |
thus? What is the cause of this thus
ness?
Congressman Reeder has recently
put I'D a fine new building for his
bank at Logan. 1t cost about $4,000
The other day he went before the
county commissioners of Phillips
county and asked that the assessed
valuation of the building be reduced
from $4,000 to $4,000. He explained
that other bank buildings of like value
in that part of the state were assessed
at $4,000, and that would be about in
proportion to other property. After
considerable time had been taken up
arguing the matter and he had the
commissioners persuaded to make the
change, they turned to the records in
order to get everything right and it
was discovered that the building had
been assessed at only $1,000. The
laugh was on the Sixth district states
man.
w. r. Stubs left Saturday night for
Washington. Just why is not known,
Some of the politicians are guessing
that he has gone to see what the pros
pect is for getting some campaign
funds from the national committee
c. S. Finch remarks that the pictures
of Judge Dale in the newspapers show
that the Democratic candidate for gov
ernor is a fine looking man." That de-
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