The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-02
PASSING OF PASS.
State Officers Hold the "Last
Sad Rites"
SorrowfulIy Say Good-by to
Their Passes.
In ARCHIVES OF STATE
Some of Them Take Places in
Historical Society.
Auditor Nations Amusing Let
ter to Attorney w. r. Smith.

THE Last Sad Rites; or, the Pass
ing of the Pass" was the title of a
little melodrama enacted Tuesday
afternoon at the last meeting of the
executive council of the state of Kan
sas to be held in the year 1907.
The melodrama was put on with
only three members of the council
present.. M. Nation, state auditor;
&. E. Denton. state secretary, and E.
T. Fairchild, superintendent of educa-
ton.
The principal actors were Nation
and Denton.
Before we adjourn said Mr.. Ma
ton, L wish to present to each mem
Der of the council. in token of my ap-
probation of their great kindness and
consideration toward me, and as an
evidence that I appreciate all the little
favors they have shown me. these lit
tie souvenirs
With that Nation pulled out of his
hip pocket fat wallet and produced
thick bundle of railroad passes. He
solemnly handed three or four passes
to each person present.
NOT to be outdone in generosity, Mr..
Denton also pulled out his wallet, and
brought to light another fine assort-
ment of railroad TYPOGRAPHY.
Il prefer" he said, ito hand this
splendid collection down to my chill
dren, and my children's children. 1
shall write a note to the Hon. George
w. Martin. secretary of the State His
torical society. and offer to deposit
with him. for the entertainment of
future generations, this grand collec-
ton, to show people in times to come
how public officials were bought and
paid for in the olden days"
Then MI. Fairchild produced his
wallet.
Gentlemen" he said as he search
ed it through, ct have nothing here
but meal ticket. bath ticket at the
7. M. Z. A, and a pass to the Kansas
state fair. I am willing to donate the
latter to whatever charity may be Sc
1ected by this council but the others
I need in my business
In view of the fact that the other
members of the council seem to have
discovered a more spectacular way of
disposing of their relics. Mr.. Nation
recalled his former action, collected
his bundle of passes and said:
II have changed my mind. I am
going to write an open letter to the
attorneys for all the railroad COM
panies, stating that 1 have come to
public officer to hold railroad passes.
will inform the railroads that I hold
no i'll will against them but that I
prefer to be- absolutely free to exer-
favor. 1 will return these passes to
the railroad companies, and give my
letter to the press for publication"
And with that Secretary of State
Denton set up box of cigars and the
executive council dissolved.
There was no special use in contin-
uing the meeting, for after allowing
the December bills, State Auditor Ma
ton had announced that the state had
only SO cents left in its fund to pro-
vi fov- ,oiv he
purchase of new furniture for the state
house from the present time until July
The letter which Mr.. Nation wrote to
w. R. Smith, general attorney Of the
Santa Fee was as follows:
'W. R. Smith, General Solicitor, Atch-
ison, Topeka & s nta Fe Railway.
Dear Sir:-I beg to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication Of jan
uary 1, 1907, enclosing annual pass No.
B-286529 over your road. 1 am return
ing the pass herewith, for the reason
that I can not conscientiously keep it.
1 have taken considerable time to think
over this step during which time 1
carefully concealed the possession of
the pass from the unsuspecting public,
exhibiting it to but few people, most
of them trusted employees of your road.
might have come to this conclusion
at a much earlier date, but most of my
time, during the past summer. has been
consumed In search for facts TO war
rant me in voting to raise your assess
ment over two million dollars. I
thought for a time that this action on
my part might convince the public that
was not influenced by the possession
of the pass, but I was mistaken. AS
long as I continue a public official
propose to pay fare, unless the legisla-
ture takes some action to throw fur
Their light on this perplexing problem.
I am doing this purely from a sense of
duty and without malice toward you
personally. II you are sure that you
are not intending to buy me with this
pass and should return it, extended to
January l. 1909, would again consider
the matter While considering 1t, /
would be glad to think over any sug-
gestton you might make as to how 1t
can be used without conflicting with
CHAPTER =, Laws of 1907.
IT have just come in on the last
train arriving over your road before
midnight, and am fastening to put this
New Years resolution into effect at
once. Heretofore 1 have subscribed
myself. Your affectionate friend but
henceforth 1 am merely Yours truly,
~ M. NATION,
"State Auditor