The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-07
Doesn't Believe Congressional
Inquiry Caused 1t.
MORGAN WAS WELL TREATED
And Was in Good Spirits on
Stand.
Washington Paper on Hodges
Plan of Government.

port that j. P1erpont Morgan's health
was in any way affected by his ap-
pearance before the money trust COM
mittee of the house." said Congress
man Neeley, of Kansas, a member of
the committee.
The committee was engaged in a
most important public duty, and some
of the disclosures Of the financial
methods pursued by Mr.. Morgan and
his friends were decidedly startling to
the country. This doubtless resulted in
much public criticism, and the end is
not yet.
Our committee showed Mr.. Morgan
every possible courtesy. and for a man
of his age appeared to be in splendid
condition. both physically and men,
tally. His ability to parry questions
that he would rather not answer, his
ready wit, and frequent sallies with
counsel, impressed the committee with
his very unusual ability, and was de-
cided change from the examinations of
other witnesses
Il remember when counsel had mis-
placed some data that. he desired to use
in interrogating the banker, and sug-
gested a recess for a few moments,
stating that Mr.. Morgan might desire
a few minutes relaxation, Mr.. Morgan
smilingly answered that he was feeling
very fine and preferred to continue the
examination.
"At the conclusion of the examina-
ton, Morgan came up to the rostrum
on which the committee was seated.
shook hands with each member, ana
rather profuseIy thanked us for the
courtesy we had shown him. At the
same time he assured us it had been
a pleasure to offer his testimony.
''The Morgan interests have pub
1ished and sent broadcast throughout
the United States, and particularly in
the districts of members of the COM
mittee, a letter containing many state
ments substantiated by no witness who
appeared before the committee.
1.-THE insinuation that the commit |
tees courteous examination of Mr.. |
Morgan contributed in any manner
whatever to his demise appears to be |
a studied attempt to make capital of
his death, and to arouse sympathy for |
system that in many respects is at a |
decided variance with the interests of
our people,.
The Kansas idea of doing things is |
tasty growing popular. This is in re-
ference to the sunflower states new
form of government. When the effete |
East admits that Kansas does things |
right and sets an example or pattern
for the country to go by, that means
a great DEAL simply because the effete
East is usually looked upon as very
narrow minded in many great national
ton Times has to say about Kansas
new form of government:
''It is as inconceivable now as it was |
a hundred years ago that the last word
has been said in the progress or the
science of government. With the
wider diffusion of education there is,
indeed, every reason why there should
be more capacity for safe progress in
that direction than at any other time
in history. This is the background for
any fair consideration of the proposal
advanced in Kansas for the institution
of the commission form OF government
for the state.
''It is naturally a startling sugges-
tion at first to the conservatives and
the near-conservatives, who perform
so useful function in preventing
hasty adoption of new experiments in
government. The commission plan for
cities was startling, too, when 1t was
born of the necessities of the Calves
ton flood and was taken up by one
municipality after another, which saw
in it hope of relief from admitted
evils But there is less shock now at !
announcements that other cities are
adopting it and in a few years even
the most confirmed of standpatters
may accept its progress with compla-
cency. This is a point to be deter
mined by future events.
att must be conceded on all sides
that the present plan of state govern
English constitution and partly on the
political principles advanced by
Montesquieu in 174S, is capable of
Improvement. Legislatures are in
many cases periodical nightmares.
Their members are, in large part,
nominated, elected and controlled by
bosses. The lack of scientific and re-
sponsive attention to their functions
is too we'll known to need assertion.
There is a general restiveness under
their incapacity, but hesitation to
try any substitute because none that is
satisfactory has been found.
q situation if will he in
teresting to watch the fate of the la
test Kansas idea There can be no +
fundamental objection to electing
eight men, as is proposed, and charg-
ing them with the business of manag-
ing the state. If this plan or any 9TH
er is tried and proves to work better
than the present one, it Will be use
full object lesson to the rest of the
country.
s.Our system of state sovereignty
provides a field in which individual
states make practical tests of new
ideas in government and thus each
serves as an experiment station for
the benefit of others. The Kansas
plan is worth consideration by the
people of that state on its merits. If,
after full discussion, they wish to try
it in practice, it is their business to
do so and the business of other Com
monwealths to take note of what fol-
lows"
There is one officeseeker less in
washington today. He violated the
rule that White House visitors must
not present their own claims. unless
invited to do so by the president him
self.
Recently man who is well known
in politics called by appointment. At
ter a few minutes conversation with
President Wilson he made a request
for a lucrative position under the adj !
ton. He pointed out his value
to the party, but got no further.
He was peremptoriaIly ordered from &