The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-16

! the nominees would answer the beck
and call of the railroad attorney. The
gentlemen nominated in that conven-
| ton were all elected and have now
filled their respective positions about
four months, and / ask the opposition
to point out a single man among that
number who in the few short weeks
of his official career. has not made
good, even from their own point of
view. II is my judgment that had the
charge, Chat corporations nominated
that ticket) been true, which L deny,
they made mighty good job of it in
making up the ticket. But it is the
work of the legislature which comes in
for their Cheif denunciation for GER
tain alleged shortcomings, and yet I
unhesitatingly express il os my opinion
THAI no legislature in the history of
this country has ever enacted more or
better laws for the control of corpora
tions and 1 challenge any one in this
state or out of it to successfully con-
tradict this assertion This legislature,
besides giving the widest latitude to
with sufficient funds to bring about
the best possible service, passed the
following laws directly aimed at pub
lie service corporations:
"A law allowing railroad commits
sioners to intervene in certain cases
brought by interstate commerce COM
mission
"a law compelling railroads to fur
nish cars for shippers and providing
a penalty of five dollars per day per
car for failure to comply.
"A law reducing passenger rates un-
der certain conditions which cover I5
per cent of the passenger traffic OF the
state, to two cents per mile
"A law reducing the rate on all kinds
of grain and grain products. Is per cent
"A law authorizing r. r. commission
ers to designate certain points as freight
terminals thus preventing the shipment
frz fcvI1f no line
souri, and making it an interstate ship
ment.
"A law requiring railroad companies
to pay double price for confiscated coal
"A law requiring railroad trains car
rying stock to run at a minimum speed
of fifteen miles per hour.
"A law making sixteen hours the limit
for which a railroad company may re-
quire an employe to work without rest
"A law prohibiting free transporta-
ton.
"A law requiring railroad corporations
to furnish double decked cars for the
transportation of sheep
"A law requiring all freight trains
which carry cabooses to haul passen-
"A law requiring railroads and other
corporations to furnish shelter for men
employed in repairing cars. machinery,
etc.
Digs Up That Railroad Incident.
wholesome laws is not an Indication of
the honesty and independence of the re-
cent legislature then I claim that il Is
impossible to establish a reputation
which does not carry with il q member
ship in the square deal organization
I am for fair deal in politics l be-
lieve that any good act by our oppon-
ents should be commended. believe
that we should frown upon any attempt
on the part of individuals or newspapers
to drag down the reputation of men who
have spent their own lives in honest,
earnest work for their state and com
munities. merely to increase their po-
Htical powers. / shall hail the day with
delight when the leader of the state
may make a friendly call upon his boy
hood friend who occupies a command
ing position as a railroad magnate. and
not be charged with improper motives,
and when he will be protected by the
press as fully as the leader of the
square deal organization when he
lunches with a leading railroad attor-
ney We should learn to be fair, and
treat one another with fairness We
should not claim for ourselves super
ior degree of morals TO that of our neigh
bors unless by our actions and words we
have proven ourselves their super1ors
And now a few words personal to
myself In a recent issue OF one OF the
papers of that organization the follow
ing language was used: The sentiment
which demanded the anu-pasS law.
two cent fare now in force. the equita-
BILE railroad assessment and other re-
ferns of state government passed by
the Republican legislature was created
gainst the open sneer of the chairman
Of the Republican state central com
mittee. in the face of the malignant
opposition Of the machine. and in spite
of the efforts of the outfit that is now
it up either for Roosevelt
delegation to trade or a TAFT delega-
tion TO ride into power upon In reply |
wholly
truthful statement, I wish to say that
have never descended to the level OF
some creatures. I have never fmpuSn-
ed the motives of my neighbors nor
scored or sneered at any legislation
calculated to benefit the people OF TINS
great state
Defends Compromise Primary BILL 4
Il did not during the recent session
Of the legislature ask single senator
to support or defeat any act which !
came before them, except after all 9TH !
pr opportunities had passed and 1 saw
4 possibility of passing the conference
primary bill. did what
could to induce the members to vote |
for it, believing honestly and conscien- |
tfously that that particular bill was by |
Tar the best primary bill ever oerore
our legislature. 1t was pronounced by |
some members of the square dear or |
among whom 1 might men |
ticn J. w. Bergman one Of the most |
honest and conscientious members of l
that organization, as the best bill ever
ofTered for passage by any legislature |
Had this conference bill. which was |
voted for by Sc out of Republican !
members of the house present been ]
adopted and which was only defeated |
by a small number of Republicans |
combining with all the Democrats. the |
people would have had an opportunity /
10 nominate the next legislature in both /
branches by direct vote at party pri- |
narfes so that through a legislature |
nominated directly by them they could /
have secured any kind of primary cleo |
lion law two years hence that they /
pleased If they did not like this one.
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