The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-08
Official Farm Organizations
Take Up McNeaI Campaign.
Jump Up and Down on His
Legislative Program.
FARMER UNIONIST INTO GAME
Next Legislature May Look
Into Hopkins Printing Bills.
Kansas Delegation in Washing
ton Fix Fences at Home.
ny A. L. sHULTz.

LOH Ia CACCo LG LAOAAAOs
By A. L. SHULTz-
somehow it, looks as tho the Kan
sas farmers who were expected to
cheer so loudly have a far away look
in their eyes when they read revised
editions of Tom McNeaFs platform.
Fact is the official farmer organiza-
tons and publications are cather US
ing the Topeka gubernatorial candi-
dates planks for a teeter-Iotter board.
Just now there is a particularly in
teresting midsummer diversion in
jumping up and down on McNeaPs
new legislative plan. The idea was
a smash bang in the rural districts.
Early returns didn't indicate much
Then the radical labor crowd rather
picked up the McNeal cause and later
der the farmer-labor banner with
some of the prominent Nonpartisan
Leaguers playing in the band.
Farmers Stayed at Home.
Most of the real sod farmers. how
ever, didn't get to Topeka for the
farmer-labor meeting Maybe the
thing showed too much positive
league Identification. anyway they
kept right on blowing. Now the
farmer papers are beginning to punch
holes in McNeaPs platform.
Possibly the action of the big labor
papers wouldn't mean so much if it
were not for the fact that McNeal is
enc of the several farmer candi-
dates from first class cities. Just
now the Farmer UnionNst-official
says the farmers should carefully
walk away from the McNeal idea.
Under the caption, Efficiency In
Legislation" the big farm paper says:
Interesting If Not Convincing.
''The Hon. T. A. McNeal, editor of
the Kansas Farmer and Mail and
Breeze and candidate for the Repub-
lican nomination for governor of this
state, is worried over the inefficiency
OF the lower house of the Kansas leg
islature. He would reduce the con-
stitutional number from one hundred
and twenty-five to thirty. Such a
change in his opinion would enable
the house to do better work, to do it
in less time, and possibly to remain
in session for a longer session.
with all due respect for the opin-
ions of the Hon. McNeal, who is al
ways picturesque, vivid and interest
ing even when he is neither convinc-
ing nor logical. he has an entirely
The executive department of govern
ment should be able to act quickly.
Hesitation, delay, or indifference in
the enforcement of law is always bad.
ton, debate, investigation, are neces-
sary before enactment. After a meas
ure is once on the statute books it
stays there a good while. No matter
how vicious it may be. it usually takes
years to secure its repeal or annul-
ment by the courts
"a body of thirty legislators could
not be representative of all the people
and all the interests of Kansas. 1t
would necessarily become exclusive,
ar,4r nd nnnraSSiva might
enact laws with more speed than is
now possible but it is wisdom rather
than haste that is needed in legisla-
ton
Inspect His Printing Bills.
The next legislature is rather GER
tain to take a careful look at the
printing accounts of Richard ]. Hop
kins. attorney general. Recently
Hopkins requisitioned $4,000 PAM
phlets which seemed to have suddenly
found their way into the hands of
temperance and welfare workers just
at the time the primary campaign was
growing warm. Thousands of the
pamphlets were distributed thru indi-
viduals and agencies interested in
Hopkins success
IN the last few days several legisla-
tors have carefully pinned a tag on
the Hopkins matter. They expect to
offer a little resolution in the session
next winter for the appointment of a
committee which will inquire just why
Mr.. Hopkins sent his campaign print
ing to the state plant and charged it
to the taxpayers. They may also ask
him why his own department didn't
nay the postage and express bills on
this literature if he regarded it as of
.-alue to the state
There isn't much uncertainty as to
his Hopkins probe. Not only will the
legislators be asked to call the present
lttorney general for an explanation,
nut he may be asked to refund to the
tate the cost of the printing.
Congressman Into Campaign.
Most of the members of the Kansas
delegation in Washington have been
looking after home district fences this
week. There was a general home
coming of the members as soon as the
national house took a recess. Repub-
lican congressman in the First, Sec
on6. Third, Fifth and Sixth districts
have contests for denomination. 1t is
likely that neither Senator Curtis nor
Senator Capper will return to the
state during the pre-primary cam
paign.