The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-13
Is PEEVED.
Secretary to Governor Declares
Legislature Is Farce.
Says Stubs Enemies Pile Up
Needless Expenses.
CALLS SUFFRAGE RUSE
Makes Statement That Wichita
Is Being 'Tricked."
Charges Of Political CrOOkedness
Also Are Made.

Wichita. Kan, Feb. 1S.-Dave Leahy,
private secretary to the governor
spent Sunday in Wichita with his
family. Like others who have recent
~ come down from the capital, he is
filled with disgust at what he terms
the farcical proceedings of the legts-
lature, especially of the senate.
kansas people are generally indig-
nant," said Mr.. Leahy, "over the
treachery of their representative body
in relation to pledges made to the peo-
pie in practically all party platforms
Hundreds of letters are coming to our
office daily venting the displeasure OF
tn public. In a message to both
houses the other day, Governor Stubbs
politely reminded them that not a
single party pledge had yet been re-
deemed, and the senate responded by
throwing thu dearest of all party
pIedges-the initiative and referendum
and the recall-upon the scrap dump.
In vain he has appealed to them 10
redeem these pledges as faithfully as
they would redeem their notes or mana
given at a bank. Even his tremendous
sincerity in this respect has not toucn-
ed them.
I'VE all understand, of course, that
the old regime of special interest IS
liking it's last stand, and the rem
liant of their willing tools in the legis-
latl1re is determined to defeat every
OGmanQ OF InG pGOPAS NAAAOAA 1885,
champions He is at their mercy just
now. but the day will come when the
farce they are playing will come 20
an end. and I can tel you in confidence
that when that time comes they VIII
wish they had not been born.
Charges Political CrOolzedness.
political crookedness is rampant. l
know Of one man who was boldly ap-
preached u few days ago to falsify u
legislative record in the Interest of a
public utility graft, and have 1t first
hand that one man was, three times
at least, offered bride to juggle with
sacred legislative documents. The dar-
ing of political crooks about the capt.
tai is more reckless than it was in the
palmy days of the long ago.
THE standpat senators are desper-
ate in their determination to defeat
every good popular measure for which
the governor is fighting (and it pains
me beyond expression to know that
Senator Stewart of my own county, is
in the coaIition.)
1.-The members have adopted two
methods of visiting revenge upon Gov
ernor Stubs for having put the old
machine-the faithful, friendly agency
of the corporations in getting them
special privilege legiSlatIcn-to the had.
One of these methods is to deny to
the people every good measure the gov
ernor, through the Republican platform,
has promised them. The other is to
make the appropriations ridiculously
extravagant in hopes that they can
make taxes so high that the people
will groan under them and in their
fury strike at him, as the responsible
business head of the state. On the
other hand, they will try to cut down
his allowance, especially his contingent
fund, so that he cannot enforce the laws
of the state with that vigor and eff
fectiveness that have made him so
many friends in the past.
Bills Provide Tax Increase.
They have now in progress through
their committees no less than 40 bills
calculated to increase the taxes of the
people. Ard that is not all They have
recently brought the pork barrel idea
into the situation; that is to say, they
have decided on giving out a lot OF
normal schools and things Of that kind
among the members of their coalition tt
enable them to have some justification
for their perfdy when they return t.
their constituents. No less than three
branch normal schools are cOntenpla.
ted for this purpose. Wichita has act
ua1ly been promised a one-horse
branch insane asylum if the SedgwicI
county influence will lay down on al
appropriation of 100000 made for {
state fair at Hutchinson. 1 want thi.
to be known here, for - ~ot believe
Wichita people will stand for a dea
! of this kind. Wichita has got aIons
MA far without a single state insti
and I am inclined r.