The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-08
Governor Stubbs Decides on Re.
fern at Lansing.
Has Cut Force OF Employees at
Penitentiary.
BUT CURTIS FORCED 1T
Had ROmbarded InfIat-
ed Payroll.
Governor, After Months Of Ter
por, Acts Quickly.

1t has been announced from the gov
ernor's office that a telegram was sent
To the penitentiary board instructing
them to cut the number of employees
at the prison as low as possible con-
sistent with good discipline and man
agement. In connection with this an
nouncement it is stated that this move
ment is directly in line with the COVER
nor's long ago expressed intention that
no man should work for the state that
was not giving a dollars worth of
work for a dollar
The governor has preached from the
text of a business administration ever
since he entered his office last January.
He has had control of the penitentiary
Tor nine months. There were 101 en-
ployes on the prison payroll to look
after 1.200 convicts when Governor
Etubbs took charge. Then the five
hundred Oklahoma prisoners were re-
turned to that state, leaving only about
seven hundred prisoners at Lansing.
yet the months rolled by, the old Hoch
warden was removed and a new one
appointed and the payroll remained
the same.
Governor Hoch had los employees at
the prison to look after 1000 convicts
end under the business administration
of Governor Stubs it required 101 en-
ployes to look after about $50 prison
ers-
No change was ordered made nor
even suggestion advanced during a per-
1od of about six months of this state
of affairs until last week Senator Cur
tbs gave the facts and figures of con-
ditions at the penitentiary, and then
immediately following that broadside
the governor wires the penitentiary
board to cut the force at Lansing. Ind
his organ declares that this act was in
line with his expressed policy. 1t was
a belated policy, prodded into action by
the shafts of the chief of the Shaw
nees.
The man who talks much, from him
much is expected. The governor will
talk loudly and often about reform and
a business administration. SO it is only
natural that criticism should arise
quicker and sharper than if he had held
his tongue until he had acted.
Personally, the governor is a delight
full man; he has force of character and
many attributes to be admired, but po-
Htically he plays too much to the
grandsrand. To meet him and talk
with him one would not suspect this
failing. The governor has not an ounce
of personal egotism. but he has a ton
of it in a political way. Maybe he
cannot help it. Maybe this is the only
method of preaching a reform crusade
If the governor had merely announced
the cut of the prison payroll and let it
go at that. no criticism, but rather
praise should have been his portion
but he had to refer again to that
threadbare expression of a dollars
and this is the onlv business admins
tration in captivity. Then naturally
thoughts arise of how Governor Hoch,
without these business pretentions,
cared for L200 convicts with the same
employees that Governor Stubs pays
for caring for $50 convicts. And at the
federal prison 1910 prisoners are cared
for by 81 employees. Then again as a
capsheaf to all this talk of a business
administration, there are a hundred
more employees on the state payrolls
now than there were year ago under
the rule of the simple and unbusiness-
like Marion editor.
The man who stands on an eminence
and raises his voice in thunder tones
always attracts attention and he has
followers who are blinded by the light
of his greatness. but when his foot
ships there are also many to see him
and he has only himself to blame If he |
Is a target for many lances. The higher
they stand the greater they fall.
There is no such sentiment against |
the tariff in Kansas as has been men |
toned by certain politicians" said D. !
r. Anthony, congressman from the |
pie of Kansas believe in the American |
or protective tariff system. 1 mention |
no names but I do not think the most |
of these sOcalled progressive politicians |
are honest and sincere-they are play |
ing to the political gallery.
Most of these men are political cow |
ards, following what they believe is the !
sentiment of the people, because it
seems to be popular. The tariff is now
out of politics-the tariff commission
win now take care of it. The bill may
be changed from time; to time but the |
the question of the tariff but on the en-