The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-11
Governor Stubbs' Last State.
msnt on Tax Question.
He Deals With the Past and Not
the Present.
HIGH TAXES THE ISSUE
No Explanation at All of the
Increase.
Nor Is Satisfaction Given fer
Prison Payroll.

Governor Stubbs has issued another
statement. Dave Leahy. private secre-
tary, threw the worn out office tyne
writer on the scrap heap and got a new
one by requisition and the governor
thus equipped, issued fresh INSTALL
ment hot on the bat.
In this last defense of his adminis-
tration the governor devotes his atten-
ton to the ancie-t political history of
ms state and the part played therein
by the old friends of Senator Curtis.
He avoids the tax controversy entire
ly and makes no explanation of why
the same number of employees are need
ed at the penitentiary to care for $50
prisoners that were required under
Hoch to care for 1.200 convfcts. He de-
clares that these employees are all need
ed at Lansing and that is all there Is
to it.
The facts and figures printed Satur-
day show the million dollar increase in
taxes still unaccounted for. yet here is
the governors reply, dealing with 9TH
er r,-atters altogether:
Respects to the Old Gang.
while 1 have not the time today to
take up Senator Curtis latest charges
IN full L shall answer briefly as follows:
To me 1t is absolutely ridiculous to
oCC These OlQ InaCnlne politicians with
United States Senator Charles c,rtis
leading them, scraping over the records
of state institutions and PRETENDING To
be distressed about extravagance in the
management of public affairs This
solicitude on behalf of the Old Cuard
proves what a tremendous power and
influence for good the Reform Move
ment has been in Kansas. Only six
years ago. when this same old machine
crowd was in full control more than
three hundred persons who rendered nO
service whatever to the state were
carried on legislative pay rolls and
paid at the rate of three dollars ner
day out of the state treasury solely Tor
the purpose of paying political debts
The state printing, state treasury. state
school fund and free railroad passes
we're all sources of revenue with which
the old machine was kept In. perfecf
running order, and the tax PAYERS maid
the oills. These men, many of them,
have been nothing more nor less than
political parasites living and growing
rich at public expense After rakine
and scraping over the state records and
trying to discredit the Reform Move
ment' that separated them from the
state treasury they have made the fol-
lowing charges in answer to NV request
TO make their charges against this ad-
ministration specific:
First: There are too many en-
ployes in the penitentiary
Not Too Many Prison Attaches.
THE published statements of the
directors and warden show that every
man on the payrolls is necessary and
fully answers this charge. However.
if Senator Curtis will himself go n
neutenants and point out some
definite misnanagement they will
render valuable service to the state
I shall be more than pleased TO do
everything in my power to correct
any mismanagement in that or any
other institution in Kansas. have
never seen more Improvement during
the same time than has occurred at
the state prison during the three
months that Mr.. Codding has been
warden. If. however, there can be
further improvement I shall be glad
indeed to cooperate with any citi-
zen to bring about such a desirable
result.
Second: Senator Curtis charges
that I gave a man job for two
months in the state oil inspectors Of
fee who rendered no service to the
state.
1.-The truth is I did not even know
that the man referred to had been
employed until sometime after he
had commenced work. The chief oil
Inspector. Mr.. Longshore, states he
needed someone to help him estab-
lish his office here in the state house
and organize the inspection through
out the state, and that he used this
man two months to good advantage.
L recommended that the offices OF
nVe deputy oil inspectors De
abolished by the legislature and the
state will save $4,000 annually by get
ting rid of these unnecessary officials.
Enters a General Denial.
"There have been many unreason-
able charges of extravaganza made
against this administration that have
no foundation whatever in fact
shall be greatly obliged to Senator
Curtis or any other citizen of Kansas
who will point out one single en-
ploye of the state who is superfiuous.
or unfit for any reason to
render substantial service I shall
also appreciate being shown one
single place where money is being
expended in an extravagant or un-
business like way. 1t is my purpose
and constant endeavor to place and
maintain the public business Of this
state on a sound solvent business
like basis. I believe it is the right
and duty of every citizen of Kansas
to take a personal interest in the
affairs of this commonwealth. 1
therefore shall be pleased to have
anyone make suggestions that will
Improve the public service. General
charges are not beneficial to the state
and serve no good purpose. but
snecif1c statements showing bad man
agement give opportunity for cor
rection,
"As soon as time will permit 1t is
NV nurpose to answer Senator Curtis
charges in full, and convince him. II
possibIe. that, in so far as the state
is concerned. the Re
l. L