The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-16
Has Met Determined Opposition
in Lower House.
THE USE OF CONVICTS.
Congressman Payne Says 1t Is
Not Economical.
Fear of Establishing Road Build.
ing Precedent.


for the passage in the house of the An
thony bill to construct a macadam mil
itary highway between Forts Leaven-
worth and Riley are very good. ac-
cOrding to the views of Kansas con-
gressmen. The bill came up for con-
sideratlon in the house last Wednes-
day, but was not acted upon because
of the lateness of the day when 1t was
taken up. AS Mr.. Anthony was called
to Kansas the following day, Mr.. Miller
requested that the bill go over until
today.
Mr. Anthony made a forceful argu-
ment for the passage of his bill, being
supported by Congressman Calderhead
ard Campbell ard others OF the delega-
ton The debate on the bill lasted fo-
several hours and attracted much op-
position from various quarters. One
l'oint brought cut by opponents was
that the war department. while recon-
mending 1T, had not urged the construc-
tion of the highway as a military neces-
stty, but merely as a convenience.
Congressman Payne contended that
the employment of convict labor for
its construction was not economical. He
declared that they had tried it up in
New York state in road building, and
found that free labor was decidedly
cheaper.
Congressman Mann. of Chicago. ar
gued that the passage of the bill would
Establish precedent for the govern
rent to build Similar highways. He
state, in this instance. to build tho
road. why not build d public high
way of the same char9 cte- from WASH
ington to San Francisco" he said.
I'm this bill we are only seeking to
authorize the use Of the prison under
control of the United States authori-
ties in the construction of road be
tween two military posts'' said Mr..
Campbell. Gentlemen say that II win
establish a precedent. If it does so, it
Till be a precedent which it will not
be unwise to follow If 1t leads to tha
construction of good roads for the uss
of our people.
There are few. if any. public i'm
proVenlents that could be undertaken
that would benefit so many of the
people Good roads would add to the
attractiveness of farm life more than
any other on3 thing. 1t is too much
of an Undertaking for the local COM
munities. The. state and national gov
ernmenr will have to lend every possi-
BILE aid. We can begin by using the
prisoners under the control of the Uni
ted States. aud after we have shown
the wisdom of that step we can take
another"
1t is expected that Mr.. Anthony will
return from Kansas in time to take
charge of the bill tomorrow.
Congressman Anthony has introduced
bill in the house authorizing and di-
,ecting the secretary of the treasury
to pay the sum of 1852 on account of
Jacob N. era otree. late a guard at the
federal ponitenttary at Leavenworth;
the sum to be spportioned as follows.
To Drs. J-angworthy Langworthy,
$40; DR.. j. L. Everhardy, $40; DR.. A.
Sis. Oe' ''' " o. Jun" "'p''S''
Congressman Charles F. Scott has
presented a bill providing for the con-
troll of grazing upon the public lands
III the arid states and territories of the
United States. A similar measure. in
troduced by Senator Curtis. is now be-
fore the senate.
Congressman CaIderhead has present.
ed bills appropriating each 100000 for
the purchase of sites and federal build
;ngs at Abilene. Concordia and Junction
City.
Congressman Madison introduced a
bill amending an act appropriating the
receipts from the sale and disposal OF
public lands in certain states and ter
ritories to the construction of irriga-
ton works for the reclamation OF arid
lands. A similar bill was presented in
the senate a few days ago by Senator
Curtis.
Senator Cults recently passed a bill
in the senate authorizing the erection
of a monument over the grave OF Briga-
der General James Shields in st.
Mary's cemetery at Carrollton. Mo, at
a cost not to exceed 5000. General
Shields enjoyed the notoriety of hav-
ing once challenged Abraham Lincoln
to a duel which Lincoln accepted.
choosing broadswords. but after the
principals repaired to an island in the
Mississippi river. which was to be tho
scene of the encounter. the trouble was
adjusted With 0ut bloodshed.
With "reminiscences of college days
and jests, the Washington alumni Of
Kansas State university made merry
the other night at the annual banquet
of the local alumni association, which
was given at the Cochran hotel. Con-
guest OF horor, and Congressman Chas.
+. Scott acted as toastmaster.
Before the dinner there was an in
formal reception, at which Congress
man Calderhead made the acquaintance
of all the members of the association
Mr. Scott. as toastnaster, after say
ing a few words about the "K. S. u"
introduced Judge Calderhead as the
guest of honor. Judge Calderhead said
people on earth. leaving their impress
sion wherever they go.
Why" he said. "one of its illustrious
daughters accomplished what no other
living mortal ever did. She pushed into
oblivion that famous natchet OF George
Washington"
j. c. Swayze and T. B. Ford also de-
livered speeches. combining themselves
largely as did Judge Calderhead to
Kansas and the State university. They
told of the old days at their alma mater
and of it's growth and development IN
recent years, and made prophecies for
the future.
A feature of the banquet that at
tracted much attention was the cover
of the menu The design was an old
Dutch mill, done in water colors by