The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-12
.ONL LYLAST RESORT
Governor Stubbs Changes Tone
About Special Session.
Will Be Called in Case All REM
edies Fail.
NOW TAKING A POLL.
Wishes to Find How Leading
Members Stand.
Auditor Nation Thinks Special
Session Is Justified. =
NOW TAKING A POLL.

/ this morning regarding the likelihood
| of a special session, declared that he
/ had not yet fully made up his mind
| to call one. and intimated that there
was still a chance to settle the con-
| troversy between the bankers through
the medium of the insurance commits
sioner. He said he would hold final
conference with Attorney General
Jackson and Commissioner Barne es be-
fore reaching decision regarding
the special session.
The governor did not talk today as
though he would call a special ses-
sion. He said: "1f I am convinced
that the business interests of the
state demand it and if the trouble
can be settled no other way I shall
not hesitate a moment about calling
the special session. If consulted
my personal preference in the matter
I would not call a special session at
all. I do not suppose there ever was
a governor Of any state who wanted
a. special session of the legislature.
But in this matter it is not a question
of personal interest, rather the busi-
ness interests of the state are con-
cerned.
"a special session I regard as a
last resort to find a way out Of the
bankers troubles. Not until every
other remedy has been considered
and decided inadequate will special
session be called
The governor admitted that he
was taking a poll of the leading mem
bers of the legislature in an effort to
find out views on the matter at
he said, "to call the legislature in
special session without finding out
how the members stand in regard to
the legislation desired at this time
1t is the legislature that must enact
the proposed amendments to the in
surance laws and unless they favor
the plan there is not a bit of need in
calling them here in extraordinary
session. I want to get in touch with
them before making any final de-
It is understood that the governor
has heard from fifty legislators OF
both houses in answer to his message |
of inquiry as to whether or not they |
favored the enactment Of a law plac- |
ing the state and national bankers on
an equal footing. OF these fifty !
answers forty-seven were in the
affirmative two opposed any such |
plan and one was doubtful.
The governors message. be it un- |
derstood, did not ask for personal
views on whether or not a special
session should be called. but rather |
sought to find out the views of the /
persons addressed on what he would |
do If summoned here to prepare a
The governor stated today that some
of the biggest and most conservative
men in the state were urging him to
call a special session and in view of
this circumstance he could do no less
than give the matter his careful at
tention and only make up his mind
after a thorough investigation.
It is mighty hard to guess what the
governor will do when he dons the
mask of the sphinx and sits down to dis
cuSS a matter. He will talk frankly
and cheerfullv but say little that is to
the point When the visitor leaves his
first guess is that there will be spe-
cial session of the legislature called at
once. Then he takes second guess
and concludes that the matter can be
making these two guesses the reporter
feels reasonably safe as regards his
reputation as a prophet. But stopping
at one guess, he would be shaky until
after the returns were all in.
Auditor Nations Views.
state Auditor J. NJ Nation has some
7iews on the special session that are
we'll worth consideration and they have
lothing to do with the troubles of the
bankers, either. Mr.. Nation believes
hat a special session is warranted at
his time in the interest of the fish and
,ame department of the state alone.
he said today that the state had spent
n the last four or five years nearly
1
md in stocking the streams and woods
# the state with fish and birds. The
legislature at the last session over
oolxed this department of the state en-
irely in falling to make the appro-
,riation or rather transfer of fees paid
II in the shape of hunting licenses, to
he use of the department As result
here is at this time no money for sle
of the Pratt institution
lor for payment of salaries of the
warden or his deputies, nor VIII theIe ,
,e for two years
It requires about $4,000 per year to :
lay the present expense of the fish and ,
.ame department. and while the gov
rnor might be able to help little
rom his contingent fund yet TINS ,
would only be a drop in the bucket. !
1t is re eally important for the welfare
f the state argues Mr.. Nation, that {
II the money spent and the work done
n stocking the state with fish and
anne and in building a big and mod
IN fish hatchery should not be allowed
0 go to seed If the department Is al
,wed to run down for two years it viii
AXE a long time to get things back II
heir present state. Hunters pay tneir
ses for protection of the game ana il
are not pushed by DIP
ties the old depredations of dynamit-
lg the streams and destroying the
anne will begin again.
The states investment in this depart q
tent is large enough to warrant keep I
lg it in a state of efficiency, and this
annot be done without the slneAvs Of Q
ar. So while all this talk is going on '
bout the bankers war. the u.ed Jf the .
pportionment of the fees paid for tha- Z
urpose to the fish and game depart
lent is pressing and worthy OF serious
onsideration. A quarter oI a million
a big investment to be allowed 70 go +
ruin for want OF legislative action 7