The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-29

ton in this country of the condition of
affairs now existing in Russia? Why
pay any attention to the courts or to the
constitutions
You criticise me because. as a citi-
zen, I have modestly expressed the
opinion that the plan suggested by Mr..
Stubs, in his platform for United
States senator was not only visionary,
impraeticable and silly, but absolutely
in violation of the fundamental law of
the land. Even if I am a lawyer, my
dear Mr.. White, have I not as much
right to express an opinion in matter
of great public concern as a railroad
contractor? Does the fact that I am
lawyer and an attorney for railroad
company deprive me of my citizenship
/ know that the resolution of the Kan
sas Civic league goes to the extent Of
boycotting and politically blacklisting ev-
cry employe Of q corporation. Doyou think
that is a square deal? Is not my en-
ployment an honora BILE one2 Has not a
citizen. even though he be an emplOye
of railroad company, the right to ex-
press an opinion in matters of public
interest!
Stubs Senatorial Platform.
Stubs is supposed to be a candi-
date for United States senator At
least his alter ego, Senator Dolley, got
very mad because Governor Hoch did
not appoint him. His manifesto urging
federal charter for all existing inter-
state carriers is supposed to be his plat
form. It seemed to me such a ridiculous
suggestion, coming from man who
aspired to the exalted position of Uni
ted States senator that I thought the
question ought to be discussed in ample
time to give the distinguished railroad
contractor an opportunity to amend
the platform and hence my commune
cations in which I CHALLENGED the con-
stitutionality of his remedy
You have used this as an excuse for
jumping on the lawyers, because, as
you say, there never was step for
ward in the world taken except over
the protest of some lawyer. Do you
claim that you possess superior wisdom,
patriotism and loyalty to the people be-
cause you are an editor, and not a law
yer? Suppose the legislature should
pass a schedule of rates for advertising
which would not enable you to operate
your paper except at loss. Would
you submit, or would you go to a law
yer? Suppose gang of political high
waymen should get together, and sol
EMMY resolve that every editor and per-
son connected with a newspaper should
be politically b1acklisted. Would you
think it a square deal?
No Railroad Issue.
1T seems to me that a free and open
discussion of these questions will have
a tendency to reach proper results. It
does not seem to me that there is any
particular issue before the people OF
the state of Kansas today, so far as the
railroad companies are concerned. I
do not know that the railroad COM
panies are opposing the passage Of a
law prohibiting the issuance OF passes.
In fact, I am inclined to believe that
they all favor it. I do not know of any
opposition to a tax law which would
require the assessment and taxa ton of
all property in the state alike Certain
" no Iailroad company could object to
such a law. And all the candidates for
the legislature, on both tickets. seem
to be in favor of a law fixing the pas
senger rate at two cents per mile, if
such a rate would be just and compen-
satory.
Where. then. is the issue? The
amended interstate commerce law will
soon go into effect. and the railroad
companies are preparing to obey it, in
spirit.
day?
..First-The passage of law pro
opposing such a law? If there is.
have not heard it. Certainly not the
railroad companies. Why should they?
There are today large numFe r of
companies who would be very much
grieved if they had to pay railroad
fare.
.'second-A demand for a law tax
ing railroad property like all other
property is taxed do not believe
there is a man in the state who would
oppose such a law. The senate Of
1905 passed such a law, and it was
pigeon-holed in the Stubs house, and
never got on the calendar If that sen
ate bill had passed, man reputed to
be worth half a million. and who could
boast Of having spent 100000 in poll
tics, would not have dared. under oath.
to have said that on March 1st 1905
he only had 50 .265 subject to taxation.
ttThird-The election of United
States senator by the people In the
senate of 1905 a Democrat introduced
and there was passed. a law which
gave the people the right to select
United States senator It went to the
Stubs house, and. like the tax law.
was showed under. Had that bill be-
come a law. the people. in November,