Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-10-11
WAS HARRIS GUILTY.
OFFICIAL CONDUCT QUESTIONED ~
THE KANSAS CITY STAR.


man drummer, OF the hepuplIcan
State Committee shows how the Kan
sas City Star denounced Col, W. A,
Harris and his railroad record In 1897.
The statement follows
'The most damaging charges lodged
against Col. w. A. Harris by the Re-
publicans this year in regard to his
sell out to the railroads In the 1897
session Of the legislature are extreme
ly mild compared to the charges lodg-
ed against him in 1897 by the Kansas
City Star, now his chief exponent and
hacker. One Of the Stars choicest jabs
at Col. Harris was In an editorial
which virtually accused him Of crook
edness In connection with the passage
of his railroad bill. It follows;
1T 10 Just such a Bill as the railroad
companies themselves might have pushed
through. the legislature by corrupt means
to enable them to escape a reimbursement
Of rates which the state legislature ought
to force them to make In the interests OF
the people of Kansas There is no proof
that corrupt methods were used to force
the bill through the legislature, and yet 1t
IL difficult to attribute its passage to pure
being dull man."
"That charge was made by the Star
when the railroad fight and its result
was fresh in its memory.
1.-THE Star evidently has forgotten
what 1t said at that time, or hoped
that the people had. But they had
not. want to call the attention OF
Kansas people to some Of the Stars
editorial utterances against Harris In
1897.
at will be remembered that Harris
had just been elected as state senator
on Populist platform declaring for a
maximum freight rate law. The Popu-
lists were In absolute control Of all
branches Of the state government at
that time. Harris was named as
chairman Of the railroad committee in
the senate. In return for railroad sup
port for United States Senator he abb
solutely sold out his party on its plat
form promises concerning railroad leg
islation and forced through the Harris
bill. This measure was prepared by a
railroad attorney and after Harris had
showed 1t through the legislature Gov
ernor Leedy vetoed 1t, claiming that 1t
was $50 rotten that 1t stunk." So
much for the history Of that sell out.
Nov as to what the Kansas City
Star thought Of that bill and Col. Har-
ris who forced its passage. In order
to show that the Star, itself, held Har-
ris responsible for the measure the fol-
lowing editorial printed in the Star of
February 8, 1897, is here given:
"Kansas Railroad Legislation"
1.-THE bill for the reduction Of railroad
rates which has been adopted by the rail-
road committee Of the Kansas Senate can
be put on the statute books and enforced
without very materially reducing the
revenues Of the railroads, for the reason
that the proposed law does not make any
lower rates than are actually collected at
the present time by the railroads
The Senate committee showed good judy
ment In not Incorporating a provision |
for a two cent passenger rate. There
really Is no call for z reduction ENS1oT In . the
When Kansas becomes more populous and
travel grows greater, a two cent rate may I
be demanded, but at the present time
with the present volume Of business the |
railroads cannot be Justly called upon to
reduce passenger rates. The Senate COM
mittee has really shown q good deal OF
In constructing this bill and
the credit, It seems, ID due to Senator
Harris"
"The above editorial shows three i'm
portant facts: First, That the Harris
bill made no lower rates than collect
ed by the roads at that time; Second,
That Harris cut two-cent passenger
rate clause out of the measure and
was applauded by the Star for so do
ing; Third. That the Star gave Harris
full credit for the construction Of the
bill.
"That editorial, as stated, was print
ed the day after the Harris bill was
reported by his committee. Harris
fought for the bill like a Trojan. The
records show that he opposed every
that was offered to make
the bill conform to Popullst promises.
The bill was finally passed by the SEN
ate under Harris's whip on February
"a.
About that time the Star evidently
had scented niger In the wood
pile" for here is an editorial denounc-
ing the bill In the Star Of February 25, /
The editorial reads:
"a Worthless Railroad elII."
'rhe railroad bill passed by the Kansas
Senate yesterday Is much like bee With
out q sting. The maximum rate clause
was stricken out and the railroad COM l.
were empowered to tx rates
and to enforce their ruling: II is not
probable that Kansas ever will have
commissioners who will be able
to Withstand the arguments and other In
huences Of the smart attorneys repre-
sentlng the railroad companies and so It
la doubtful whether this law will AFFORD :
any relief whatever to Kansas shippers,
II n long statute with great many
sections and embodying some apparently
strict regulations, but which, In fact, do
not In any material degree change the
present status. II Is measure intended
10 make the people Of Kansas believe
that something has been done for them
but which Is IN fact much more favora-
bic bill FOR these railroads than they bad
any reason to expect from A legislature 81
profeesed reforuiers. II is just the sort
of a law which former legislatures In
Kansas have had the reputation OF maxi
lng under TQilroad Influence"
aAs will be remembered Governor
Ieedy vetoed the Harris Dill. He said
I did not meet Populet promises; that
Il was evidently drawn by the railroad
lobby and that Il was so rotten that Il
stunk. An official Of the Leedy a.
who stood close Ia the
Governor said at the time that leedy
was offered $4,000 cash BY the rail-
roads to sign II
ION March 10th the Kansas City Star
contained another editorial ripping
The bin up the back and lnsinuating
hat Senator harris received pay from
he railroads Tor pushing the bill
lbrongh The editorial reads,