The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-27
CURTIS TO STUBS
Senator Also" Makes Statement
in Reply to Governor.
"Takes Credit for Deeds Of
Previous Officials"
SAYS SENATOR CURTIS
OF the Present State Admins.
tration; Talks OF
Contingent Fund, Penal Ex.
penditures and Other Things.

Elsewhere in today's State Journal
will be found the statement of Cover
nor Stubbs in explanation of why state
| taxes are higher this year than they
were last year.
This statement was given out last
night to the Topeka Capital for pub
| lication this morning
AS 1t contained a direct attack on
United States Senator Curtis as the
author or instigator of the criticisms
Journal representative approached
Senator Curtis today in regard to the
article and asked him if he had any
reply to make to the same.
The senator replied that he had and
dictated the answer that appears
below.
| In this reply Senator Curtis reiter-
ates the often repeated statement that
has been going the rounds lately that
the state taxes will be million dol
lars more this year than they were
last and declares that he had failed to
find satisfactory explanation for the
increase in the governors article.
The senator followed the governors
lead and dipped into personalities.
The senator accuses the governor of
claiming credit for the works and acts
of previous officials, declaring that he
is Opposed to man who is. constant
ly taking to himself credit that be-
longs to others
The full text of Senator Curtis reply
Senator Curtis Reply.
I have read with considerable sur
prise the statement of Governor
Stubbs, contained in the issue of the
Topeka Daily Capital of September 27,
1909, charging me with misrepre-
senting facts as to his administration,
and making comparisons that are not
based no fairness and am at a loss
to know why the governor should sin
gle me out for attack when these
IN- -
newspapers in different parts of the
state for the last month.
The facts and figures in reference
to increase in state taxes over last
year were printed recently in the To-
peka State Journal, and the state
taxes for each county. for last year
and this year, were stated.
1t is true, that at Eskrfdge, Kan, in
a speech I did state that the state
taxes this year were nearly one million
dollars over that of last year, and as
the governor has brought me into
this controversy, I will reiterate the
statement and give the exact figures
and challenge him to deny them.
State Taxes Million More.
The state tax for this year, charge. !
is $935,529.53 greater than it was last
year; and 1 further charge and chaI- !
lenge Mr.. Stubs to produce figures to !
the contrary, that the state tax is in |
creased this year over that of last |
is unnecessary to give the figures in !
each county in the state. 1t is unnec- |
essary to give the figures in each coun- |
ty as they were printed in the article |
In the State Journal early last week.
Governor Does Not Explain.
The governors pretended explana-
tion does not explain because he neg
lects to give any figures in his state
ment. If the governor really desires
to do so he can very easily give the
IN
departments, and if he will look at
his own appropriation he will find that l.
he was given by the Yast legislature
5 $1,000 for contingent fund, while
for contingent fund for the last
year of his administration.
The Governors Contingent Fund.
II phe governor intends to give the
state such splendid business admin
strat1on and reduce the expenses of J.
he state, it is strange that he shouId l.
1eed $4,000 a year more for a contingent l.
-und than his predecessor. If the gov
ernor will take the time to examine
ne records at the state house, he will
Administration which could have been
avoided. For instance. he stated that
raTelng deputy oil inspector were not
needed, and the legislature abolished
ms once One oil inspector, Mr.. Jew
I'll. resigned in April of this year and
Jet the governor. knowing that a sue
'essor was not needed. appointed a man
o NIL MS place for the two remaining
as per month. and I am reliably in
ormed, gave the state no service there
or.
Penitentiary Expenses.
If the governor will look at the rec
lrds OF the state penitentiar-- he will
ind that the decrease in the expenses
las not been what it should as COM
Jared with last year, by reason of the
emoval Of the Oklahoma prisoners
rom the state, nor have the revenues
rom the penitentiary been what they
hould under the circumstances. For
nstance, in the month of July. 1909.
evenues from the penitentiary amount
d to $55S61, while the expense for the
Month was $17,2SS.61, while for the year
90S the revenues were 81 1920 and the
expenses were 1S,3S6.35 In 1908 there
we're about 1900 prisoners and in 1909
here were about $50 prisoners.
Actions Louder Than Words.
Would it not be better for the gov :
rnor, instead of constantly telling what }
e is dong at the penitentiary, to rec /
to the legislature that provis- !
On be made for the use of the prison. :
rs in building roads in the state. in :
tead of keeping thin in idleness ?
his would be a proper recommendation r
rom and at the same time the prison /
rs would be given employment which
yould be benefit to them.
Takes Credit for Hoch Measures.
In the same statement he refers to I
having saved the state millions of dol /
ars in freight and passenger rates
l1one. When the governor takes this I
,redit to himself he knows that he Is
claiming what is not due him. We had
me of the best railroad laws upon the I
statute books of Kansas long belore ]
Governor Stubs entered politics and !
hn amendments that