The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-11

1T is of the highest importance to
the people of an interior state like
Kansas, that her senator and members
of congress should be in sympathy
with the interests of the shippers and
producers more than with the interests
of the transportation companies. A
member of congress or senator, seeks
to please the most potent influences
that operate in his election. The rea-
son that United States senators hest
tate to antagonize the railroads is be-
cause they are so powerful in controll-
ing senatorial elections. one hundred
and sixty men elect a United States
senator. The railroads, ramifying every
county as they do, can extend valua BILE
faVors, locally and otherwise, to those
who are aspiring to official position
They make it to their personal interest
for them to do what they want. Men
are frequently nominated for the legis-
lature who are good citizens, have the
confidence in a business way of their
neighbors, but are known to be all
right with the railroads. because of the
railroads relation to their business in
terests. If a. lawyer, the hope of lu
crative employment; if a shipper. Spe-
cial favOrs. or the fear of retaliation.
Or, if an ambitious politician, the fear
of their power in opposing his advance
ment The result is that when the leg
islature meets, the railroads have great
influence over the actions of many OF
it's members. Candidates for the Sen
ate seek the IlleHuSIlp Ol the ilIlu-
enees that control the votes of the
members, because it means to them
success or defeat. This is why the
railroads are strong in the United
States senate, not because the senators
desire specially to favor them, but be-
cause they think it is to their political
interest to do SO. and as a matter of
cold practical politics it too frequently
is. When the people are aroused they
are OmnipOtent in the political arena.
They not only dominate convention,
but sweep the elections with remark
able unanimity But they are only Oc
casiOnally aroused, and when the usual
state of lethargy exists. the railroads
can concentrate their influences and
control conventions and legislatures.
1t is highly essential therefore, that the
people take a more positive and per
Sistent interest in the nomination of
their members of the legislature, con-
gressmen and senator's When these
men understand that the friendship of
the general public is of more value to
them than the friendship of the rail-
roads, they viii be more anxious to
serve the public than the corpora
tons"
Mr. Bristow also urged that the at
torney fer the board of railroad COM
missioners and the members of the
board be given much larger salaries.
He said that the present salaries are
not enough to warrant good men in
laying aside their ordinary vocations
the affairs of these Offices He also
took the following slap at A D. Wal
ker, one of the commissioners, whose
son is employed in the Rock Island
legal department:
TN the past some Of our railroad
| commissioners. whose business it is to
protect the people from unjust dis
examinations. and unlawful and excess
sive charges by the railroad com
panies, have accepted personal favors
from the attorneys and managers of
these corporations. Some of them
have had their children appointed to
important positions in the service OF
the railroads. What would you think
of judge If. when passing upon a
question between two litigants, he
should accept favor of great inan-
ciaI and personal value from one of the
| litigants yet in the history of this
state the exact equivalent TO this has
| been done by members of our board of
/ railroad commissioners.
Mr.. Bristow also urged that supreme
| court judges be given more pay He
said:
TT is of the highest importance. not
only to the commercial industrial and