The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-10
Grant HOrnaday Makes Bid for
Square Deal Support.
He Wants Direct Primary and
Wants 1t Bad.
FOR A TWO CENT FARE.
Thinks Next Legislature Should
Make Flat Rate.
Railroad Assessors Didn't Go
Far Enough.

Grant Hornaday, of Fort Scott, has
come out with a proclamation which
seems to be a bid for the square deal
support in his aspirations to be COVER
nor of Kansas. Mr.. Hornaday does
not say anything about square deal or
square dealers, but he says he is for a
direct primary. an increase in the as
sessed value of railroads and for the
rigid enforcement of all laws"
This declaration of Mr.. Hornaday is
given out as a letter to d. r. Anthony.
written apparently for the purpose of
asking Mr.. Anthony to aid him in
bringing about a direct primary with
out any legal enactment, for the pur-
pose of nominating state officers next
year. The letter is so framed, how
ever, that it is sort of a platform upon
Mr. Hornaday to stand in his fight for
the Republican nomination for COVER
nor Mr.. Hornaday says in his let
ter:
A year ago. 1 was chairman of the
resolutions committee of our represen-
tative convention, and was the author
OF the following extracts from the
platform adopted by it:
I'VE favor a primary election law,
compelling all parties to nominate all
officers from United States senator
down to township trustees by direct
vote of the people, on the same day
and at the same time throughout the
state. with strict and rigid regulations
as to the qualifications of voters and
making it penal offense for any per-
son to give or receive anything of value
in connection with political services,
except judges and clerks of election
may receive statutory fee.
I'VE favor a careful revision of the
tax laws of the state to the end that
all property of individual and corpora
tions may be assessed a a fair valua-
ton"
I'VE favor an anti-pass law, making
it a crime for person to give or re-
ceive free transportation in any form
whatever in this state except such as
is issued to stock shippers and bona
fide employees of the public service cor
poration, and their immediate families
We are in favor of the lowest possible
reduction of both passenger and freight
charges consistent with good service,
good wages, necessary operating expen-
ses incident to railroading and interest
on the capital invested.
I'VE believe that a one cent rare
should be granted ex-soldiers and sail
ors to their reunions
1 still stand with the Bourbon county
Republicans squarely upon the above
platform without any notifications
whatever and would direct your atten-
ton to the fact that our Republican
senator and representative in the last
legislature, who are my friends, con-
sistently supported the principles enun-
ciated by it.
Our state board of railroad asses
sors is entitled to much credit for the
equitable Increase made in the rail- |
road assessment, but they stopped too !
soon. Let the increase continue until |
the railroads bear the same proper |
ton of taxes that is levied upon the |
farmer and manufacturer that sup |
ports them
All property should be assessed on |
exactly the same basis and that basis |
should be actual value.
The last legislature gave us an
antipass law, and a sort of two cent |
fare regulation. The two cent fare
law is all right as far as it goes, but it
does not go far enough. While it
may be urged with some little force
that the person who does not have
use for 500 mile book over a single
railroad or a 1000 mile interchange
able book, during a years times does
not buy enough railroad tranSporta-
ton to be hurt badly by being re-
Quired to pay three cents per mile, it
Is nevertheless true that a great many
of our people cannot afford to have as
much as from $40 to $50 invested in
railroad transportation, and it is this
class of people that needs help most.
A majority of our people pursue agri-
culture for a livelihood and $40. the
minimum amount represents about
one-half the monthly earnings of the
average farm hand.
1t is to be hoped that the next legis-
lature will give us fiat two cent rate
law and abundant law for the regula-
ton of rates and classification of
freight, making the principal penalty
for violation of such regulations i'm
prisonment.
When general manager and his
in charge of a railroad
or other business enterprise can by the
sharp practice of discrimination in
service or rates, make for their prin-
cipal an extra earning of, say $4,000.
what does the corporation or general
manager care for few thousand dol
lars in fines? Nothingl 1t is only a
small commission for the business.
But the officers violating the law
would hesitate; yes usually stop, if
conviction carried with it an newt
able Jail sentence of a year or so.
When laws are placed upon the
statute books. they should be rigidly
enforced If they are obnoxious, pub
lie sentiment will soon bring about
their repeal. |,
]. S. Simmons, speaker of the house of