The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-16
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Nearly All Candidates Answer
Square Deal Questions.
Senator Getty Is the Latest to
Go on Record.
MAKES A SUGGESTION.
Thinks Bribery Should Be Given
Consideration.
Negro Harris Club in Topeka
Causing Concern.
MAKES A SUGGESTION.

The issuance and distribution OF ths
Square Deal handbook viii be de4as
ed few days, for the reason tna1 q
good many letters have just come III
and the printers will not be aDle -
complete the work as soon as expected.
Letters have been received rom al
Of the candidates for United states SEN
ator. which Includes Senator A. W.
Benson. J. L. Bristow. and Congress
men Curtis. Campbell, and MurdocA
and Mr.. Getty. Senator Long mas not
replied TO the letters written MIN Oy
the club.
Fourteen Of the candidates on the
state ticket have sent letter for puDii-
cation This includes all or the caASI ~
dates on the state ticket except = "
Nation and c. W. Barnes ABOUT one @Vlls
hundred candidates for represen1al4e9
have answered, pledging tnelI sep ~
to these propositions Ineie are -
representative districts, Dut the re
pubIicans neglected to nominate d a.
didate in one OF the LeavenWorth coun-
ty districts, SO that there are pul la
Republican candidates.
State Senator James Getty, OF ran
sas City, who is a candidate 1oI III
ted States senator, has sent the Iolio"-
ing reply to the square deal questions.
Your favor of october ), enclosing
certain questions which you request me
to answer if 1 care to DO so, duIy re-
ceived. I have been engaged in court
most OF the time since IAAI -O~1-EN
your letter, or / would have answered
the same before.
'First-In regard to your first ques-
ton. whether or not I am in favor OF a
primary law compelling the nomlna-
tions of all officers by direct vote OF
the people, I viii say that am IN
favor of such a law and that L Will
support any law that will protect the
people of the state Of Kansas from
fraud, corruption, or unfairness IN
Hhafr- collection, nomination OF Dl1O-
lie officers.
'second-To your second question,
ia regard to my attitude upon the as
sessment of railroad property. 1 will
say that I am In favor of the assess
ment. Of railroad property upon the
same basis as other property in this
state; that is, am ia favor of and
will support a law that will compel
such an assessment Of property IN this
state, railroad or otherwise, as viii
place the burden Of taxation equally
and fairly upon all the taxable prop
erty in the state.
LAS to the appointment of COM
mission, / will support a bill Tor the
creation of a commission to ascertain
the actual value of railroad property,
etc. provided the bill contain provis-
ions for such an appointing power of
the members of the commission as will
an honest, bona fde and searching in
vestiga ation, it having been my Qbser-
vation in the past that the average
commission appointed for investigation
purposes, or the result of their ac-
tions. has been unsatisfactory to the
people Of the state.
''Third-To your question in regard
to an anti-pass law, I viii say that I
am in favor Of a law excluding all per
sons, except railroad, telegraph and
express employees, from free trans
portation.
''Fourth-To your fourth question, in
maximum rates Of passenger fare in
this state, my answer is yes
Permit me to add in this connection,
that there are some other very import
ant measures that your committee has
entirely overlooked. One of these Is
the bribery law of the State of Kansas.
Most Of the wrongs and corruption in
public affairs seem to have arisen d.
rectly or Indirectly from the crime of
bribery. The present statute in Kansas
Is drawn in such a manner that it alb
soiutely closes the door to any success
ful prosecution Of the participants In
in that crime, 1t making the bribe giver
and the bribe taker equally punisha BILE,
without any exception. The crime of
bribery, being almost always a secret
one. no testimony of the transaction ex-
fists, except such as could be given by
one or the other Of the participants. and
as both are equally guilty under the
statute. the state Is unable to obtain
testimony upon which to convict. 7 am
in favor Of a statute which viii be in ef-
feet. a protection to the people Of the
state instead of a shield to criminals
and wrongdoers. and will put it within
the power of the prosecuting officers of
the state to end this dangerous, fnsid-
four. and to my mind most important
method of attacking the rights of the
people Of the state
Respectfully yours.
JAMES F. GETTY" "