The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-12
POLITICAL GOSSIP
II. J. Hopkins Has His Eye on
Lieutenant GovernOrship.
Proved His Capacity as Speak
er Pro TEN of House.
TAX OFFICERS BACK.
Now DeVOting Their Attention
to Assessing Railroads.
No Guaranty Plan Can Apply to
No Guaranty Plan Can Apply to
National Banks, Says Jackson.

r. ]. Hopkins of Garden City. repre-
sentative in the last legislature from
F'inney county and speaker pro tenn of
the house, spent the day in Topeka on
legal business. Mr.. Hopkins has been
in Hutchinson in attendance at the two
days session of the state board of con-
troll of the boys reformatory there this
week, of which board he is a newly ap-
pointed member He said that the
board had 100 applications for parole
at this session, the largest number on
record, and that forty-four of these ap-
plications were granted. Most of the
inmates of tlis institution are farmers
boys and this is good time of year to
give them a chance There are four
hundred inmates of the Hutchinson re-
formatory and everything there is in
good shape
Speaking of this same Dick Hopkins,
who made good in the last legislature,
there has been a boom started for him
for the Republican nomination for lieu
tenant governor at the next primary.
This plan was talked of among some of
the representatives about the time the
legislature adjourned and now one of
the members of the last house is TAX
ing more active steps to soon launch
the boom for the young Garden City at
torney.
Mr.. Hopkins is properly located for
this place on the ticket, as the logical
place to look for a running mate for
Stubs of Lawrence would naturally
be in the western part of the state.
Then Mr.. Hopkins made good as pre-
siding officer of the last turbulent
house during many trying situations.
His GOODNESS and sagacity. were COM
mented upon at the time by the veter-
ans in both parties Speaker Dolley,
after the house adjourned, paid a high
tribute to the executive and parliament
tary ability of the speaker pro tenn and
what Is more. to Hopkins capacity for
all the details of the work In connee-
ton with the speakers office and the
close attention he paid to all legis-
tive matters. 1t is ability in this line
that is the best recommendation for the
place of lieutenant governor and Dick
Hopkins is sure to be a prominent fac
tor in the race next year If he consents
to run. ~
Messrs. Howe, Glass and drummer
of the state tax commission have just
returned from their trip Of inspection
over the lines of the Union Pacific and
Rock Island railroads with a view to
inform themselves as to the value of
these properties in establishing an as
eessment as a basis for taxation. The
board converse today for the purpose
of assessing the railroads of the state.
The past three weeks have been spent
ir trips over the roads of the state.
This part of the boards work has been
practically finished, although few side
trips will likely be taken this week in
connection with the work of assess
ment.
The Union Pacific and Rock Island
roads while not doing any great work
pf Improvement at this time or putting
an new shops or lines of road, are keep
ing their present lines up in good shape.
The members of the board were more
particularly impressed with the splendid
nrospects for great wheat crops in Kan
sas this year than anything else they
saw on their trip. The wheat is not
only looking fine everywhere except in
the extreme eastern part OF the state,
Int there is large acreage planted.
There is every evidence of prosperity
for this year In all sections OF the state.
1,he board travelled 5000 miles the past
three weeks in their tour of inspection
OF. the railroads.
The last legislature passed a law re-
curing that all plans and Specifications
for school buildings over the state be
submitted to the state architect for his
examination before building operations
are commenced.
Kansas has taken an advanced ground
an regard to fire protection for school
children. The doors of all school houses
shall open outward and shall remain
unlocked while school is in session. Ev-
cry school house of two stories or more
must have two exits from the upper
floor separate and distinct from the ex-
its of the lower floor. Each upper story
must also have two steel or iron fire
escapes. The top of each furnace must
he at least Is inches from the woodwork
above and be covered with asbestos
The pupils shall. oe given a fire drill
at least every two weeks The county
superintendent is required to inspect
aYery school house in his county and