The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-31


homa came in for a generous share of
his remarks and very little was said ia
vorable to the constitution of the new
state. He was very bitter towards that
clause of the constitution which pro-
hibtts the piping Of natural gas out
side the state limits.
The conference committee of the
Kansas house of representatives re-
ceived a compliment from Mr.. Lath-
rop but it didn't last long as he coun-
teracted this with a statement not
quite SO complimentary.
I'm this connection" said Mr.. Lath-
rop, 'it Is interesting to note the &C
ton of the house committee On rail-
roads of the Kansas legislature, taken
within the past few days. They OPP
pose with but one dissenting vote, the
enactment of a two-cent passenger
rate law in the following language:
"'In our judgment there is no
emergency, as the state Of Kansas now
enjoys two-cent fare under order of
the board of railroad commissioners
and we find on investigation that this
bill would in no way help keep that
rate and would more likely result in
litigation and eventual return to the
three-cent fare. Kansas now has a
general law fully equal to the question
and this would not strengthen our
position in law.
"'On account OF the conditions now
come to large borrowers like the rail-
roads, this bill while adding nothing
to the good of the people of the
state, would in effect be an injury to
the credit and finances of the rail-
roads. These railroads are large in
terests ana the employees of these
roads, whose wages are threatened
should be considered; and as no good
would be accomplished, we believe
they should not be subjected to the
loss which such impairment of fnan-
cial standing might bring
This is a very healthy sign Of re-
turning conservatism. But in almost
unanimous vote, on the very same day
the passage of a law imposing the
most enormous penalties upon the
railroads for refusal to obey the orders
of the state board Of railroad commits
sioners, amounting to 500 per day. in
ordinary matters, and $500 per day in
freight matters. The legislation, If
passed, is with the view, of course
that the railroads will submit to the
orders, no matter how unjust on I'M
reasonable. rather than run the risk
OF being subject to ruinous loss by
possibly unsuccessful appeal to the
courts. The faces of conservative
statesmen should certainly be set
against legislation of this character"
Raps the Primary Law.
Perhaps the most unexpected state
ment of Mr.. Lathrop was his denunci-
alton of the primary system and espec-
Tally that part of it which provides for
the nomination of a United States SEN
ator by the direct vote of the people
instead of by the two houses of the
legislature as constitutionally provid-
ed. Here is what he said in this re-
gard:
Another movement which it seems to
ChRoKRd la he
ing demand that United States senators
be elected by direct vote of the peo-
pie And while the federal constitu-
ton does not permit this, the same re-
suit is sought to beobtained through
the fundamentally of primary election
laws. The trainers of the constitution
were wise in providing that senators
should be elected by the vote of the
two houses OF each state legislature.
The United States senate was intended
to be and has been the great conserva-
tive force in the making of laws. The
election Of members of the house, fresh
from the people every two years, gives
full opportunity of the reflection of
public sentiment, sane or otherwise
but the senators, chosen for a term of
six years by the state legislature. after
a weighing of the merits of aspirants
are in a position to calmly consider and
review every piece of legislation pro
posed by the house, and after full dis
cussion, unhampered by cutting off of
debate through the previous question
to pass. amend or reject bills. as thew
might conclude the public interest
would be benefited or otherwise. It is
true that of late years money has in
some cases, counted for more than
merit in the selection of senators hl,t
on the whole, 1 submit, in the light of
history, that the present method will
insure the selection OF men of more
statesmanlike qualities than if the sem
| atorShipS were made the football of a
| popular political contest"
7 can't understand our new hired girl
Just as soon as dinner is ready she rushes
/ out of the dining room like mad -
That's easy She's just come back from
| a summer resort hotel, and she can't get
| over the habit of lodging the rush when
| the dining room doors are opened ,-De-