The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-27
SELLS Hts LAND.
Lieutenant Governor Fitzgerald
Disposes OF $4,000 Worth.
He Still Has Four Thousand
Acres Left.
BOOM FOR GOVERNOR.
Says He Is Not Looking for the
Job.
Has Not Seriously Considered
the Matter.
BOOM FOR GOVERNOR.

here six weeks until the board of rail-
way assessment has completed its
| work
This is a remarkable thing for a
| lieutenant governor to do. Usually an
official in that position feels that he is
earning his 800 a year If he spends
week or two in Topeka, in addition
to the biennial session of the leg1sla-
ture. But Mr.. Fitzgerald can afford
| to be generous with his time. He said:
''I have things fixed now SO that I
am not tied up with my business as
J closely as formerly. / sold $50. 900
worth of ranch land the other day,
and have portions of the rest of my
ranch leased"
How much does the $4,000 worth
represent in acres?" was asked.
"Oh, about a thousand" replied Mr..
Fitzgerald, but 1 have 1000 acres
left. I have kept the best portions of
my ranch, and Will place most of it
In the charge of tenants to raise al
falfa for me on shares. The great diff
f1culty out in my section of the state is
to keep men for farming purposes.
They won't stay at work. I would
take out five or six men every week,
and before the end of the week the
foreman would have to fire some of
them. It was a constant procession of
men. I got tired of worrying about it,
and will run stock my remaining
portion of the ranch in summer, and
my share of the alfalfa in winter"
Talked of for Governor.
Since Mr.. Fitzgerald's excellent rec
ord as president of the state senate,
there have been symptoms of boom
for him for governor. That he is am
bilious there is no doubt, and that he
possesses the necessary qualifications
for the office of governor he has CIV
en- strong indications. 1t is possible
that he may become compromise
candidate of Square Dealers and
regulars" in case of a deadlock.
'I am not looking for the job of
governor said Mr.. Fitzgerald Il
don't know as would like the job
However. have never seriously con-
sidered the matter. and don't think
my friends have either"
What is the general feeling of the
people over the failure of the legisla-
ture to pass primary election law"
was asked.
nor, that people generally are disap- |
pointed. In the eastern two-thirds of |
the state the disappointment is acute |
Out in my part of the state the peo- !
pie never were radical over primary
election law. but even there 1 find |
many who are disappointed over the /
action of the legislature"
What sort of a primary election law
do they Want?" was asked.
''Well,'' replied Mr.. Fitzgerald, most |
of the people do not understand the de- |
tails of primary election law but from |
those I have talked with gather that |
rect primary. 1 do not believe that any
thing short of that will satisfy them" |
will the primary election law be |
an issue two years from now?" was
asked
yes. it certainly WILL" he replied. ut
will not only be an issue two years
from now but it will be agitated from
now until that time. 1 think that in
Hot
pass a direct primary election law.
1T is the purpose of the new board
Of railway assessors to study into this
railroad assessment proposition con
siderably. We are all new men at the
business except Mr.. Nation, state audi
tor and we don't know much about the
work For that reason we are planning
to meet earlier than usual this year.
and try to reach an understanding Of
The situation"
HWill it be the inclination of the
board this year to revolution'ze the
former railroad assessments and fix the
asked.
said Mr.. Fitzgerald. bat It
appears to me that to arrive at the
lctual value of the railroads is what the
egislature intended the state board of
abroad commissioners should do. The
tate tax commission must also get at
he same facts. and 1t would seem to
ne that the two boards should CO. {
operate"
In the Dodge City Globe-Republican {
# which w. E. Davis. assistant state
.uditor is the editor and proprietor.
ppears the following interview with
ar. Fitzgerald concerning the work of
he recent legislature:
81 regard the strengthening of the
abroad law, by increasing the power ]
f the board of railroad commissioners
o as to give the board unQuestion-
BILE jurisdiction over passenger as well
s freight charges, as perhaps the most
onsidered, as 1t should be, with the I
aw providing for the employment of \
n expert and experienced traffic man +
D investigate and compare rates; for g c
aluation of the railroads by experts; f
or an investigation of determinations, t
ar shortages and other kindred evils; I
nd the service and rates, both freight r
ell as state These two laws, work o
lg together, honestly enforced will 0
emove the rancor and prejudice h
gainst railroads. The commission is n
rovided with ample means and facil- r
les to enforce these laws. 1t has au- S
1ority and money plenty now to hire t
xperts in rate making and in valua-
on, and also legal talent to look after
lie interests of the commonwealth;
lat is, as it should be. A
my opinion is that the law will "
ever be satisfactorily enforced until r
lie board will be made judicial in T
cad of a political tribunal. The ablest b
Irists in the state should sit in these ii
Uses and determine the interests in c.
olved fl
millions are at stake. No ordinary o
ind can grasp or comprehend the s
hole question. Every defendant has W
right to have confidence in the abiI- D