The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-29
IT'S UP TO CAPPER
Democrats Confront Governor
With Political Problem.
VIII He Call a Special Session
of the Legislature2
TAKE CARE KANSAS SOLDIERS
Would Provide Aid
for Boys From France.
Incidentally They Build a New
Campaign Weapon.

| lnclOeutd1y lHcy Du1u % Nv"
Campaign Weapon.
| Governor Capper was calieo upon
for a special legislative session in res
olutions adopted by the Democrat
state convention. The demand Tor I'M
mediate legislative action is based on
the need of state action TO care TOT
Kansans in service who in the next
few months will be returned from
France. The Democrats demanded
that the governor display. his patriot
ism by directing Immediate legislative
action, providing for direct appropria-
lions and submitting to the voters a
constitutional amendment permitting
! the borrowing of money or issuance OF
state bonds for soldier aid.
| The demand upon the governor for
| special legislative session was, the
dominant feature in the resolutions
lutions check the matter squarely up
| to the governor. But that isn't ALL
The governor is United States sena-
torial candidate. And the men who
framed the resolutions thoughtfully
considered the possibility of his NOM
| nation. Failure to call the special
session and possible inability of the
/ state to meet the needed expense OF
returning soldiers from over seas gives
the Bourbons a possible weapon for
the coming campaign. 1t is the first
demand by any political or semi-po-
litical organization for special ses-
sion to meet war conditions.
| New Vein of Trouble.
| Last winter Governor Capper con-
sidered a special session to provide
| legislation that would permit the sob
diers over seas to vote. 1t was stated
he had been assured the soldiers could
vote So the special session was ADAM
doned. Now it has developed that
| they cannot vote.
Action by the Democrats, however
opens a new vein of trouble. Before
| the November election, Kansas will
probably have more than $4,000 men
| over seas or in the training camps. 1t
is for the care of these boys who may
be wounded and returned to the state
that the Democrats demanded the spe-
| c1al session.
| Democratic Resolutions.
In addition to strong endorsements
| for the national administration and
the congressional delegation, the res
oiutions concerning the care of SOL
diers and need of special session fol-
low:
That aside from the task of winning
tfe war; the obligation that makes the
we &c IA; appeal TO our sense Of duty as
| ngacon TO provide suitable opportunities
for tne Kansas soldiers when they are dis
| charged from the army.
The generous and enlightened provision
which our national government is making
for the care of the crippled soldier and his
dependents is in advance of anything that
has ever before been done, and we have
no doubt that the. national administration
| has in contemplation, like generous plans
Tor the welfare OF all our soldiers, whether
injured rias OF OF not but we insist that the i'm
the work of restoring our own boys to
| their places in civil life.
| Tha dn1 u
to return, and sooner or later, the great
American armies will return. bringing
must be ready to receive her boys. She
must be ready to assist those Of them that
1--WE may safely trust the national adj
m MINIS to provide pensions, but pen
Our soldiers are young men with the hopes
and ambition of young men. They will
want fair opportunity to make careers for
right, as it is the duty Of Kansas to ,n see
| that they have such opportunity and that
from home and from their vacations has
given those of our people who have re-
mained at home an advantage. The state
advantage upon our soldiers when they
return. They must not be handicapped in
| business competition because they have
| been in the service of their country n
their old places are gone, new places must
We want the Kansas boys to return to
Kansas and whatever the cost to our state
we WANT Lnems= 10 ma opportunities n q
favorable to success as the opportunities
| they left: and,
now in the hospitals will be unable to re-
turn to the service; and
/ whereas, 1t is necessary for us TO nae
our utmost speed if We are to be ado
| quately prepared to furnish places to our
| soldiers as they return; and
| whereas For the purpose in view IL will
| be necessary for us to amend the laws
! and. perhaps the constitution of our state
| which. according to the regular order
would cause a delay of many months.
| Now therefore, be It resolved That II il
the sense of this meeting that the Iepis-
| lature should be called, forthwith in
/ special session for the purpose
| "C) To create commission on welfare
| of discharged soldiers.
"(2) To appropriate funds to enable the
said commission, by loans and advance
ments. to assist the discharged Kansas
soldiers, where they need assistance to
find suitable employment, to engage in
farming other lines Of industry as their
respective cases may warrant. And in
case it shall be found necessary
"(3) To submit constitutional amend
ment to the voters Of Kansas at the com
ing November election: authorizing the
state to borrow money for the above pur-
| necessary to carry out these purposes and
1t is further
Resolved That the Honorable Arthur
| Capper, governor Of Kansas, be and he is
hereby respectfully requested to call the
Legislature in special session for the above
purposes.