The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-16
LED A GOOD FIGHT
Parks HeImick Scores Victory
for State Accounting.
Provides for Prompt Check Be-
tween Auditor and Treasurer.
PLAN TO STOP GRAFT.
Put State Finances on Open
Business Basis.
New Plan to Legalize Saloons
in Kansas.
PLAN TO STOP GRAFT.

Parks Helmick of Neosho led gal
liant fight in the house on Friday after
noon for the adoption of the so-called
Nation bills" for a system of state ac-
counting, and won decisive victory
over the Tom Kelly lobby which has
| been working industriously for the de-
feat OF this system of accounting.
The issue was square1y drawn be-
| tween the system of accounting pro-
posed by State Auditor Nation and
| State Accountant Gafford. and the sys-
| tenn proposed by State Treasurer TuI-
ley. Ex-State Treasurer Kelly did not
i appear to have any chips in the game,
but he managed to procure a large
stack, and play the dominant hand in
behalf of Tulley. The Tulley bills
were presented by G.. L. Banks OF
Montgomery county, and Mr.. Banks
| made the principal fight for his bills.
When the decisive vote was taken
/ in committee of the whole it was evil
| dent that the house was overwhelm-
| ingly in favor of the Nation bills
| All of the bills introduced by Hell
mittee of the whole for passage, with
out any amendments except those
made by Mr.. Helnnick himself.
| The calendar presented the Hell
mick bills first, in the regular order,
| but when they were reached, 1t was
agreed that the two bills introduced by
Banks should be taken up, read and
considered at the same time with the
Helmick bills.
The penalty for violation of the law
was reduced from fine of from $50 to
| $500 to a fine of from $25 to 500.
After it had been decided to take up
the Nation and Tulley bills at the same
time Mr.. Helmick moved that the prin-
cipal one of his bills, No. lib, be taken
up and read section by section.
Mr.. Banks moved as a substitute that
| the minority report for the Tulley bills
be substituted for the majority report
of the state affairs committee.
On this motion of Mr.. Banks,
the big fight of the afternoon took
place.
very able speech defending the Nation
plan. He replied to the misrepresen-
tations which he claimed had been
made of the Nation bill, and read the
recommendations of the state conVen-
ton of county clerks, favorable to the
Nation bills.
Geo. l.. Banks of Montgomery then
spoke for his motion. He said in part:
1--WE have several serious objections to
the bill. My county clerk and county
treasurer say that section three of the
bill is an absolute impossibillty for the
county clerks"
+ viii you permit SUGGESTION said
Mr.. Helmick, your county clerk, Mr..
Stewart, said that with my amendment,
he had absolutely no objection. to the
BILL
Mr.. Banks did not continue his re-
marks about the county clerks, but he
said that the draft system was very
bad. cit is an impossibility," said Mr..
Banks. for the county treasurer to
know what money he will have on hand
to meet bond payments.
1--WE contend that it is not a good bus
mess proposition to draw sight drafts
on money which he doesn't know ex-
lists. If you pass this law there will
not be a month in the year when the
state treasurer will not be an embez-
zler, because his cash will not balance
with his drafts. No state treasurer
draft for money which he does not
know when to expect to come into his
possession
w. B. Ham, S. H. Brandon. R. S.
asked Mr.. Banks a good many ques-
lions. which seemed to mix him up
somewhat.
cyrus Leland spoke for the TulIey
bills. He said they were shorter and
simpler than the Nation bills.
H w. Grass replied to Mr.. Leland,
and criticised the Tulley bills on the
ground that they are inconsistent and
impra ctical.
J. D. Flanagan. Democrat. from De-
catur, said he was opposed to the Hell
mick bill on the ground that it is too
complicated. 1.-The Helmick system will
make a complete check and keep the
books straight. all right, but it Is toe
much work to keep up business on
r. S. Hendricks, Democrat, from
Rawlins, opposed Mr.. Flanigan's re-
marks, and said that the Tulley sys-
tenn does not provide any prompt
check between the auditor and treas
urer. 1T is only to justify the acts
of the miserable lobby that has been
on this floor said Mr.. Hendricks, Ito
justify the acts of an ex-state treas
urer that we are asked to pass this
Tulley bill. 1t would be just as pos
sible to have the state money tied up
as it was in the Devlin bank affair, IL
we should pass the Tulley BILL
E. A. Enright made a strong speech
for the Nation bill. He defended the
draft system for handling the state
funds. 1.-THE sight draft said Mr.
Enright, sis a businesslike way of con-
Quoting the financial affairs of the
state"
This man Cation. the expert ac-
countant. lives in your town, doesn't
hep" asked Cy Leland.
"He does" said Enright, "but
have never spoken to him more than
three times in my life.''
Mr.. Enright then read the names
of John w. Breidenthal, Ben Schen-
Grille and a large number of other
Kansas City men who had urged him
to support the Nation bills.
The vote was then taken on Banks
amendment. and 1t was defeated by
very decisive vote.
The Helmick motion to take up the
Helmick bill section by section was
then passed without opposition.
Each of the Helmick bills were TAX