The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-26
BIC SENATE HEART.
Upper House Allows Expense
Accounts to Members.
Picture of PomerOy Eating
Crackers Was Too Much.

The members of the Kansas senate
who went to Leavenworth by way of
Kansas City to inspect the state peni-
tertiary, will receive the expense
money they have asked in an appro-
priation measure turned in by the
ways and means committee. That is
all of them will receive the amounts
opposite their names in the bill except
Senator Smith-his S9.42 will go to
Representative Smith of the house
who actually made the trip.
When the bill came up for final
passage today Senator Coleman called
the chairs attention to the fact that
a number of senators who were vital
ly affected by it were not present and
suggested that it be passed over. But
President Pro Tenn Price assured him
enough of the senators were present
to dispose of the bill and the clerk
started to call the roll when Senator
Getty gained the floor.
Getty made a motion that all but
the enacting clause be stricken from
the bill and then proceeded to explain
his motion.
II have a deep regard for my duty
to the tax payers of Kansas" Getty
said, land I think this senate should
demand an explanation of how it hap
pened that a Republican member of
this senate was able to make the trip
to Leavenworth by way of Kansas City
for $500 when a Democratic member
had to spend $11.58."
Getty referred to the fact that the
senate last week passed a resolution
requesting the national congress to be
economical and that almost on the
day this resolution was passed men,
bers of the Kansas senate went to
Leavenworth and spent all the way
from 1922 to S11.5S. In an excellent
imitation of Bryansonian eloquence he
said:
You shall not place this financial
crown of thOrns upon the hads of the
taxpayers of Kansas; you shall not
cruelty the taxpayers upon this $50
cross of gold!'
Pomeroy Must Have Walked
Then the senator from Kansas City
changed his tone and said that in
studying the bill he had sought for a
ray of light and had found it in the
item that showed Senator Pomeroy
had made the trip on 1922.
II know what the railroad fare is
from here to Leavenworth by way of
Kansas City" he said, land the only
way I can account for this small ex-
pense is by believing that Senator
Pomeroy walked and carried an emer-
gency ration bag filled with cheese and
crackers
Getty then proceeded to paint pic
ture of Pomeroy walking Gown the
railroad tracks with his Sc and
crackers bag in his hands. ale paint
ed the beautiful mountain scenery at
night with the moon lowering over
Calhoun Bluffs and the wild animals
bowling in the forests as the mad wa
tiers of the big river rushed wildly
towards the Big Muddy. He pictured
Pomeroy walking back and tired out
and exhausted struggling thru the
crowds on Kansas avenue at s o'clock
at night. finally reaching the state
house steps to fall down in a swoon,
weakly murmuring: Eyes, the peni-
tertiary is still at the same old place."
Picture MellOyyed Getty.
Getty said that this picture mel
lowed him and made him for the mo-
ment forget the dear task payers and
that he was so overcome with COM
passion for Pomeroy that he would
withdraw his motion and Offer no OPP
position to the bill
Pomeroy, the senator who made the
trip for 1922 and Sutton. the Demo-
crat who spent S11.5S were not pres
ent, but Plumb, of Emporia, who
teamed with Sutton and also spent
$11.58, sat in his chair and faced the
music.
Senator Smith who did not make
the trip at all but who was being vet
| ed $9.42, also sat tight and voted for
! the passage of the bill. Then Sena-
tor Snyder explained that this S9.42
really should go to Representative
Smith and the clerk was instructed to
SO correct the bill.
!