The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-26

istrations, has been among the leaders.
we endorse the splendid administra-
tion OF Governor Koch and the state
omcers associated with him. It has
Deen free from scandal, clean and effi-
ciently conducted, and is worthy OF
tne support OF every good citizen.
courageous and effective work of At
torney General jackson in the enforce
ment OF law, especially of the pro-
nlpitory and antitrust laws of the
We especially commend the work of
the last two Republican legislatures.
They have rendered every important
party pledge and the measures ad-
vocated on the stump, and declared
enacted into law. We refer with
pride to the following beneficial laws
that have been enacted during the last
four years Of Republican administra-
ton and pledge the party to strength
en- and improve them as time and ex-
per1ence may prove necessary: The
primary election law; anti-pass law:
maximum rate on oil; general railroad
law; giving to the railroad commits
sione .n power to control rate
classifications; giving to the board. of
railroad commissioners power to
ascertain valuation OF railroads; the
new tax law, board of control law;
placing the state charitable institu-
tons on business basis with gen.
eral offices, general system of book
keeping, and civil service laws for the
employees in the several state institu-
tons; state printer law, placing the
state printer on a salary of $4,000 per
year; state depository law. giving the
state the benefit of interest on court.
and Uniform negotiable instrument
laws. These laws are every one in
the class of constructive legislation
and all tend In the direction of bet
ter government. The party has,
through its members in office, OBJ
tanned FOR the people of Kansas a re-
ductfon in passenger rates from three
cents to two cents per mile. The only
safe way to judge what a party will do
in the future is by what it has done in
the past. The history of our party
proves that a Republican party pledge
Is sacred obligation.
We hereby pledge ourselves to en-
act into law the following measures at
the next session Of the legislature:
Ffrst.-An appropriation sufficient
to ascertain the valuation of property
owned by public service corporations.
Second.-A law providing for the
control by the state of the issue of all
stocks and bonds by public service
corporations and limiting such issues
to the value Of the property owned by
such corporation.
Third.-An anti-lobby law.
Fourth.-The creation of a refer
ence library bureau
Fffth.-The election of tax commits
sioners and county assessors by direct
vote.
Sixth.-A generous provision by the
legislature for state forestry
Seventh.-A law compelling all candi-
dates and committees to publish all
contributions and expenditures of
political campaign under oath with a
severe penalty for it's violation.
Eighth.-We pledge ourselves through
our candidates for the legislature to
the passage of an act enabling the
state banks OF Kansas to mutually and
voluntarily guarantee deposits under
the supervision Of the bank commits
sioner's department and request our
candidates for congress and the United
States senate to favor a law enabling
national banks to participate therein
Ninth.-We favor liberal appropria-
ton for charging the operation of the
department of animal husbandry of
the State Agricultural college.
We commend the action of Governor
Hoch in appointing an educational
commission for the purpose Of investi-
eating the school problems of the state.
We favor the enactment of such laws
as will further strengthen and develop
the educational opportunities Of the
state, and especially do we favor more
liberal and ample facilities for our
rural schools, and to that end we par
llCuldLly recommend some means Tor
aid to weak districts and closer state
and county supervision.
Short Work in the Council.
1t was about O'Clock when the sub
committee finished its "burnishing' of
the platform, and the main committee
was ready to report. The main COM
mittee had a little tiff when Senator
Long made an effort to get a recon-
sideration of the guaranty plank. but
the nSction was defeated by a vote of
Is to Z.
The members Of the party council
were waiting somewhat impatiently in
the Auditorium. ]. S. Stewart of WITCH
ita, who had been elected permanent
chairman, raped for order, and called
on Clad Hamilton assistant secretary,
to read the platform.
Senator Long then addressed the con-
vention in very much the same sort of
a speech that he delivered to the plat
form committee. He said he was op-
posed to the whole platform, but would
only speak Of the guaranty deposit
plank.
When the vote was called for, on the
adoption Of the platform. Senator Long
was the only one in the whole audi
ence who voted no." He stood by his
guns to the last. Without any further
ceremony. the party council adjourned.