The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-27
STATE MUST TAKE CARE OF IT.
Government Troops, Can Not Guard
the First Territorial Capitol.

Washington March 27-Now that Sena-
tor Long and Representative Anthony
have secured the necessary legislation to
cede to the state of Kansas one acre Of
ground on the Fort Riley military reser-
territorial capitol building at the. defunct
town of Pawnee, it will be necessary for
the state to see that the same is properly
policed and guarded. When the building
Is finally restored, as the state historical
society and patriotic citizens hope it will
be, and the approaches and grounds put
in shape there will have to be a caretaker
provided, some other means of safe
guarding the historic spot and the ,valua-
BILE property.
Shortly after Senator Longs bill had
become law George w. Martin, secre-
tary of the state historical society, wrote
him and said the question as to who would
police the coded ground the government
or the state, was giving him some consid-
cradle worry. and wanted to know wheth-
er arrangement could not be made to have
the government do so through the troops
at Fort Riley.
For about a month Senator Long has
had this matter up with the war depart
ment and the department has been cor
responding with the post commander at
Fort Riley. The department has finally
decided that it would be unlawful for the
government to exercise police supervision
over the premises when. by law, they
tary of war says to Senator Long: THE
employment of the military forces to pre-
serve order would be as unlawful as their
use upon any other portion of the state.
except in the cases expressly authorized
by the constitution and the laws of con-
gress."
Senator Long has written Secretary
Martin fully in regard to this matter, and
has asked him if he believes the state or
patriotic citizens interested will provide a
caretaker for the premises when fixed up
If this responsibility is not assumed by
the state or by individuals it may be nee
essary to revoke the law just passed,
which was accomplished with considera-
bic effort by Senator Long and Mr.. An
thony, and secure revocable license from
n hn a
can restore the old capitol building, make
necessary visits thereto, and still the mil
itary forces at Fort Riley can exercise
full authority over the ground as hereto
fore.
This is purely patriotic and sentiment
tai proposition and Senator Long believes
that the various patriotic societies of the
the creation OF a fund sufficient to pro-
vide for a caretaker at least until the next
regular session of the legislature has time
to consider the proposition, make an ap-
vide for the proper care of the property.
He has indicated this to Secretary Mar
tin, preferring not to be compelled to undo
all that he and others have done in con-
neetion with the recent legislation
This movement was started largely by
Samuel F. Woolard of Wichita, who has
| for years been member of the governor s
| staff and has as such camDed near the
neuvers. Mr.. Woodland is also a member
| of the state historical society, and the
matter has appealed to him. Four MEM
! bers of the Kansas elegation-Senators
Long and Curtis and Mr.. Calderhead
| and Mr. Anthony-have for some time
been interested in the movement from an
historical and patriotic standpoint, and
| from seeing the building gradually vast
| frequent times visited the Fort Riley res
ervation.