The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-07
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Col. Jones Is Having Trouble
About denomination
Using Old School Land Bill IN
Opposition.
TWO OTHERS IN RACE.
Attempting to Make Capital Of
the Jones Act.
Not the One That Is Making
Trouble for Settlers.
TWO OTHERS IN RACE

Aol. A- ~. Jones 0l ANDA tRAi NlS-A- - ,
speaker pro tenn Of the house Of repre-
sentauves in 1903. and candidate for re-
nomination for a third term in Norton |
county. is likely to have a hard fight
for the denomination. as there are two
candidates out against him, and q
rivalry has sprung up between the city
of Norton and the surrounding country
precincts. The convention is to be held
s SATURDAY
some Topeka politicians discovered .
few days ago that Col Jones was the
author Of a bin enacted i'm 1903 which
granted an unlimited extension of time
to defauiting purchasers of school lands,
allowing those in arrears in payments to
come in at any time, and redeem their
land. by paying up the amount due.
This information was tippec Off to
Norton county people. and it is under
stood that they have been using It
against Col. Norton.
AS a matter of fact, however, it ap-
pears that the Jones law is not the one
which is making trouble for the school
land settlers i'm western Kansas. The
Jones law provides relief only for those
In default in their payments. 1t does
not help those who have forfeited their
llDll- LfELduiL httS llOL ADLictlluAE III
feiture. After the land has been default
ed it may be forfeited by the service Of
certain papers in a. manner provided by
law. Tt was concerning the manner OF
service of papers that the supreme COURT
rendered It's decision which has caused
so much excitement in western Kansas
The forfeiture papers must be served
strictly according to law, and the sheriff
must either make personal service or
else certify that une parties involved
"can not be found
E. E. Ames. John c. Brown and other
Norton county politicians did not dis
cover until within the past day or two
that Col. Jones was the author of the
bill which has been causing so much ex-
element. Consequently the informa-
tion has not been used against Col. Jones
during the canpai ign. but 1t is stated on
good authority that Jones' political enc
mics are now circulating the story in
dustriOusly and are confident that it
practically puts Mr. Jones out of the
running. The primaries to elect dele
gates to the county convention were held
Thursday.
There are two candidates out against
Col Jones. They are Calvin A. Newell
of Norton. the present county surveyor.
and Robert Richmond of Lenora.
merchant. Most of the politicians of the
county who have been supporting Jones
for the nomination in the two previous
campaigns are now supporting Newell,
but the country delegates are sai7 to be
favorable to Richmond or anybody to
beat the town candidate
AS an indication of the temper of
the people of Norton county on the
school land matter, 1t has come to
light that q big meeting was held at
Norton few days ago, at the call of
the county clerk Farmers to the
number OF about r50 came i'm from all
parts of the county. and talked over
what had best be done to protect their
farms. which they had secured by pur-
chase from the state school land COM
missioner. Some of these farmers al
ready had the patents to their land,
but under the law they knew that they
were i'm danger from the holders Of the
original school land certificates. Moth
Ing much was accomplished at the
meeting except to appoint committees
fo look after the case and # is likely
that IT would he unhealthy for anv-
body to try to enforce A claim against
these farmers under the law as 1t now
stands
The Jones bill relating to school
lands was introduced in the house in
1903 as house bill No. 4 It amended
Section 229. Art. a. Chap. % Of the
1901 statutes by inserting a 'proviso.'
This proviso was i'm part as follows:
provided also. any person having
purchased such land. or who,
being in default of such purchase mon
ey and interest past due. and taxes
past due upon the land win pay in
full all such delinquent interest and
taxes may. upon surrendering the GER
tihcate of purchase to the county clerk
g Ike out new certificate Of pur.
chase"
In Ness county. and several other
y western counties there have been held
indignation meetings" similar to the
one in Norton county. and the farmers
whose land is menaced are taking steps
70 protect themselves
Oakley Sept. Ed L. Kerns of
Oakley, Logan county. the baby of
the house" at the last session of the
legislature. was beaten for renonafna-
tion Thursday by Logan county Re
pubicans. =. J. Gilbert. one Of Kerns'
nltterest political enemies. was given
the nomination.
kerns was known a. the .sbabv Of
the house because n he was the vonnp-
est member, and had a particular rIx-
chiidlike and bland cast Of counter
ance He vas married while the lepis-
lature was in session.
Meriden. Kan. Sept. THE Repub-
hcans of the Fifth representative dis
frict comprising part of Jefferson
county, renominated George W. Plum
ner for the legislature at their con
ventiou held here yesterday. There
was no opposition to Mr.. PIurr7ar
The platform adopted pledges Mr.,
Plummer TO the square dear pIanks.
Depew viii BE There.
New York. Sept. THE Tribune to-
day says: When congress meets at the
beginning Of next Decem Der, Senator
Chauncey NJ Depew will be found in
his seat This assurance was made
yesterday by member of his family.
He is said now to have regained his
health