Gass /\ (C>S6>. Book ^ B2 I I tETTERS TO Governor Lewellini By J. K. HUDSON, BDITOR OF THS TOFBKA. " DAIIyY CAPITAi;,." First Kditinn of 10,000 Copies. Price, 25c. per Copy. PUBLISHEn BT THE TOPEKA CAPITAL CC'H'ANY, ToPEKA, Kansas THE GREAT STATE PAPER, The Topek^ DmIj C^pif^I, TOPEKA, KANSAS. ^ '~^ W The Associated Press Dispatches. Correspondents in Every Town in the State. 'I'he Most Complete Political Newspaper. Radical Republican in Politics. A Believer in Kansas and her People. SI BSCBIPTIOM PRICE, f6.00 PER YEAR. Address THE TOPEKA CAPITAL CO. TOPKKA, KANSAS. LETTERS TO Governor Lewelling, J. K. HUDSON, Editor "Topeka Daily Capital." CONTAINING ALSO A Brief History of the Legislative Session of 1893, District and Supreme Court Decisions on the Question of the Legality of the House of Representatives, Official Vote on Candidates for Governor in 1892 by Counties, Roster of U. S. Senators and Congressmen, State Government, State Senate and House of Representatives, Present Appointees by Governor Lewelling, State Boards of Directors and Regents of Public Institutions, Judicial Districts and Vote on Congressmen by Districts in 1892, and other information for reference, verified and accu- rately given from Official Records and Roster of Republican State Central Committee . . and work of the year. . . PUBLISHED BY THE TOPEKA CAPITAL COMPANY. TOPEKA, KANSAS. COPYRIGHT, 1S93, BY J. K. HUDSON TOPEKA, KAS. Ixl ezch . oio. Pub. Lib J^ 7 1901' PREFATORY. This series of editorial letters was published in the Topeka Daily Capital during the session of the Kansas Legis- lature of 1893. The peculiar condition which called them forth was the organization of a dual House of Representatives. A legally organized body of sixty-three members, presided over by a Republican Speaker, Mr. Geo. L. Douglass, and an illegally organized body of fifty-eight members, presided over by Mr. J. M. Dunsmore, Populist, existed for seven weeks. The recognition of the minority organization by the Gov-, ernor, a PopulLst, and the Senate, having a Populist majority, led to the complications in the contest for supremacy, the various phases of which are treated in these letters, and the legal questions entering into the controversy were decided by the Supreme Court, the full text of which^appears in this volume. Respectfully, J. K. HuUvSON. \ i TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. lyETTER No. 1. ToPEKA, Kas., January 12, 1893. My dear Governor: All over Kansas, and far beyond the boundary lines of our splendid State, the attention of people is turned towards you. The question is asked by men and women interested in our State and its future. What will Governor Lew- elling do ? In this brief letter I do not purpose to insult you with flattery or to belittle you with abuse. We are facing a most serious condition of affairs, that may at any moment culminate in a disgraceful personal struggle and possible loss of life. You are the recognized head and leader of your party, and if our State is further disgraced by the revolutionarj^ action of the minority of your part}^ in the House, you and your administration will be held responsible. It will be useless for you to say that it was the action of the Legislature, over which you had no control. That excuse will not be received as a good one. You can control the Populist side of the Legislature at any time. That the present attitude of the minority is due to sympathy and support advanced by the present majority of the Senate, and by you and the other members of your administration, there is no shadow of doubt. Do you suppose fifty-eight members of the House representing j-our party would have considered the idea of organizing this branch of the Legislature if the administration and the Senate had been Republican? No, sir; the most idiotic legal adviser they are now guided by would not have entertained the 'proposi- tion for one moment. The present attitude of the Populists in the House is due to your isympathy and support, and you have the power to stop the anarchistic revolution now going on if you so ^esire. If you call your State officers together, and ask Jerry Simpson, Willits,Breidenthal, and Judges Webb and Doster into the conference, and say to them that the present condition of the Legislature is damning the State as well as the party and must stop at once, it will stop. There is not an intelligent man in Topeka cognizant of the facts of the situation that does not know this to be true. Upon you, Governor Lewelhng, 'csts the R LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWEI.JJXC. responsibility of saying whether your party shall continue to make a disgraceful mob of the Legislature or not. Your party in the Senate will recognize the minority as soon as you do. It is expected j'ou will do this to-day, and the present insurrection against the constitutional majority would never have undertaken their present plot to steal control of the House but for your sanc- tion and consent. For this the people of Kansas will hold you personally and officially responsible. You have been extolled as a business man of large and varied experience, a man of patriot- ism and courage, possessing real elements of statesmanship that would rise above the anarchistic sentiment and wild heresies of your party. To be frank about this, the Capital has never sym- pathized with this estimate of your character, and the present sitiiation is an indication that }^ou are no larger than your pait}', or Willits or Simpson or Breidenthal, who are the floor-walkers of your minority, maintaining discijiline and ordering the fifty- eight members what to do, and what not to do. Governor Lewelling, defying the constitutional rights of members of the Legislature is a more serious matter than talk- ing anarchistic " rot " at picnics. There is no white slavery in Kansas, no mob crying for bread, no citizen deprived of his rights, — except Republican members of the Legislature, — and the people of Kauras will make no mistake about this rebellion, of which you are the executive head. It will be analyzed and care- fully examined in every part. Nobody will be fooled with specious arguments. The case will rest in the future tipon the legal rights of the members elected, and the men who are advis- ing or the office-hunters interested will cut no figure when the people render their verdict. They will say, and justly, that the Governor and State officers are the leaders of the party, and that they are responsible for creating the revolution Avliich they could have stopped at any time. This is the plain situation. If any Popukst member had one legal majority, he is entitled to his seat ; and more than one hundred and fifty thousand Republican voters of Kansas would say so. That great body of as honorable, as intelligent, and as patriotic citizens as exists in any State say to you to-day, through the Capital, that they demand of you and your administration the recognition of their representatives because the demand is founded on law and justice. This is the opportunity of your administration to show whether you are the Governor of the Populists or of the State. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. TO GOVERNOR LBWELLING. Letter No. 2. ToPEKA, KaS., January 13, 1893.. My dear Governor: You yesterday assumed the responsibil- ity, without warrant of law, of deciding, so far as your voice and influence can go, which of the two contending bodies of the House was legal. What right had you to drop the executive functions of your office and assume the prerogative of the highest court and decide a question which you have no more authority to meddle with than your chief clerk ? When the House is legally organized it sends you a message stating the fact. This had been done by both parties on Tuesday. On Wednesday you stated, in a conversation with six well-known Republicans who called upon you, that there" was no legally organized body in the House. If that was true on Wednes- day, Governor jewelling, what change had taken place or what facts had been conveyed to you to cause you to recognize the legality of the minority on Thursday? You were aware of the fact that the Senate was, at the hour of your sending your recognition of the minority, investigating the facts by a commit' tee consisting of six Populists and three Republicans. A con- ference committee of five members from each of the three polit- ical parties was endeavoring to find some common ground for a peaceable solution of the present critical dilemma, made with your knowledge and with the sanction of the leaders of your party, at the very hour when you destroyed all hope of com- promise by your letter recognizing as legal the minority, which you know, as an intelligent m_an, is not entitled to your recogni- tion except for partisan political purposes. Good faith to the investigation in progress in the Senate would have dictated that you await that report. If you have desired a peaceable settle- ment of the legality of the organization of the House, a courte- ous treatment of the conference committee laboring for that end would have suggested a postponement of your incendiary docu- ment. Is this your own judgment, or that of the conspirators 8 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLINC. who for a'.nbitious purposes are ready to plunge the House into a bloody contest? Your political advisers, consisting of Judge Doster, Breidenthal, Simpson, Willits, Clemens, and smaller types of this anarchist craze, are already controlling your admin - •stration by revolutionary methods that the people of Kansas wil repudiate. Governor Lewelling, what is the significance of your recogni tion of the minority ? It means that the pride, prestige, power, and influence of your administration, not a week old, is pledged to the use of force, and,if need be, bloodshed, to sustain an illegal minority. Do you go before the people of Kansas in this usurpa- tion of power at the instance of a lot of politicians who have nothing to lose by a destruction of the good name and character of the State? A part of the plot of which you are the executive head is for the Populist Senate to-day to follow your example and endorse your course by recognizing the minority as the legal House organization. The next step that logically follows is the use of force to eject Speaker Douglass and the clerks. You know that sixty-three Republicans, legally elected and holding their certifi- cates /rom the State Canvas.sing Board, one Independent, and three Democrats, making a total of sixty-seven members, answered to the roll-call of Chief Clerk Brown, while the Popu- lists have only fifty-eight members holding certificates of elec- tion. You knew these facts. Governor Lewelling, when you played the part yesterday of a conspirator against the peace and good order of the State, less than a week after taking your oath to sustain the laws as its chief executive. If a bloody riot follow tliis premature action on your part while the members of the legally organized House are making every effort to secure a peaceable solution of the dangero\is condition we are facing, the repponsibility will rest with you. But, my dear sir, your conspiracy against Kansas does not end here. You and your co-workers of the Populist party purpose to go further than this. You have a well-defined plan, after gaining possession of both branches of the Legislature, to impeach Cl^ief- Justice Horton and Justice Johnston, of the Supreme Court. Doster, the anarchis-t, will dishonor the seat so long honored by Judge Horton, and when you control both branches of the Legis- lature, the executive and the judiciary, it will be appropriate for you to haul down the stars and stripes that float over the Capitol LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEVELLING. 9 and run up the appropriate red flag of anarchy and communism. For three days and nights the House has been under semi- military control. Your clerk, the adjutant-general, assuming the title of colonel, is in command of the Populist guardians ot . the peace. It is the first time in the history of the State that a clerk of the Governor, called by courtesy the adjutant-general, ever took possession of the police regulations of the House against the wish of its members. Governor Lewelling, don't permit the new honors, so hastily thrust upon you by the conglomerate mixture of Democracy and Populism, to cause you to forget your plain duties to all the people. You are not vested with kingly powers, nor are j'ou beyond the reach of public sentiment, as your present course suggests. I would be unmindful of my duty to the public if I failed to say that the real caiise of your previousness yesterdaj' was the fear you and your party leaders had that a number of the more conservative and patriotic members of your party had grown tired of the revolutionarj' methods and the bulldozing spirit of the floor-walkers of the south side of Representative Hall. Executive influence was deemed necessary to hold them . hence jour hasty note of recognition. There are a number of citizens^ Governor, you have not met during your brief residence m the State, who believe that the sooner you comprehend the responsibility due one and a half millions of people, the sooner Kansas will have a Governor who will rise superior to the dicta- tion of a crowd of petty ofiice-hunting politicians w^ho have demonstrated that they are dangerous to the peace and good name of the State. 10 LETTERS TO GOl'ERXOK LEWELLING, TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. Letter No. 3. ToPEKA, Kas., January 14, -893. My dear Governor: There is a time to hope, a time to " cuss," and a time to pray. If you will dismiss your_ kitchen cabinet long enough to hold your ear to the ground, 3'ou will hear from more than a million of your constituents the sincere hope that )ou, the head of the State government, will not disgrace yoiir high office by longer encouraging lawlcpsness and treason. You will hear the "cuss" of the fusion Democrat, from basso profundo to high falsetto, in languageof a warm and pjTotechnic character, against his own stupid folly in helping to bring into life a State government in sympathy with lawlessness. You will hear the prayers of good people that you may be led to place 30ur influence on the side of law and to help to protect the good name of Kansas against the crime of anarchy. You will hear all this, and learn what you ought to have known before, that the deepest, strongest, and best sentiment in the heart of every Amer- ican, regardless of party or creed, is his love of country. The acLion of yourself and your party in defying law and justice and bringing the lower House of the Legislature to the point of armed resistance to maintain their legal rights, has roused the hoi}' flres of patriotism in the breasts of the people. Stop, Governor, and listen to the warning from more than a hundred counties of your State. To-day you, as the head of this revolution, are discussed all over Kansas and wherever the telegraph has carried the news in other States. Earnest men and women of Kansas are protest- ing against this crime of arbitrary force to deprive the people of representalives legally elected. Governor Lewelling, to-day is a most critical one for your reputation; but what is of very much more importance than that is the loss to the honor of Kansas caused bj- this endorsement you have given in your official capacity to the anarchistic agita- tors and lepresentatives of your party. To-day may witness your application offeree to give the minority of fift^'-eight Populists LETTl'lRS TO (,OVERi\OR I.EWELLINi;. U possession of the legislative chambers. Suppose blood flows, and lives are lost; do you suppose you can escape public coudeniua- tiou ? Impeachment for official imbecility and disregard of official obligations would be too slight a punishment for you in such a case. I anticipate that your defense will be, that you did not give the orders that brovaght bloodshed; but you cannot escape the fact that from your own party, from Democrats, and from Republican committees and individuals, you had the most complete information of the situation, and that without your sanction and support there would be no force, and without your full and premeditated co-operation with the revolutionary minor- ity the legal House of Representatives now having sixty-seven members, four more than a constiti;tional majority, would be doing the business for which thej- were sent to the capital. Governor Lewelling, if you imagine for one moment that because the minority has your support and recognition, and that of the Populist majority of the Senate, the sixt3--seven members forming the real and legal House will sixbmit to being driven from the hall by j-our " assistant adjutants-general," you do not under- stand the temper, the patriotism, or the courage of these men. They have the moral support of the people of Kansas behind them because the}' are right and because you and your party methods have been an outrage and a crime against the State and the legal rights of these members. It is a most serious situation, Governor, and you and j'our party leaders cannot be so blind to your own interests, if you are governed by no higher considera- tion, as to imperil the lives of men by forcing upon them the humiliation of being driven from seats to which they are justly entitled, or of defending their rights by force. Let me say to you and to 3-our lawless crowd that these sixty-three Republicans and four Democrats will defend their rights. You will be the attacking party, and you will lose, whether the battle is long or short, because you are wrong and defending lawlessness. Nobody in Kansas is fooled as to the merits of the present contest, and the people will rally at this time, as they alwaj-s do, on the side of law and order. My dear Governor, there is another matter I intend calling your attention to. Your party has had much to say regarding the legality of postmasters elected by Republicans. You will notice the dispatch of yesterday, January 13th, from the Fourth Assistant Postmaster-General, who says that two Populists hold- 12 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR JEWELLING. ing scats and counted as part of your fifty-eight votes, Mr. Brown, of Caven, Pratt County, and Mr. Noble, of Freedom, Butler County, are postmasters at this date, and therefore not legally members of the House. This reduces your minority to fifty-six- Something might be mentioned in this connection about the his- toric beam and the mote, but the authority is probably too old to be of much weight in your party. Did you hear the eloquent words of protest at the great mass- meeting in Topeka last night. Governor? Oh! my dear sir, it would have stirred the latent patriotism of j'our heart to have heard the loyal, ringing words. They came from men good and true, regardless of part}-. It is loyalty to law and country that will maintain the Republic, and this was the spirit of that meet- ing, and there were many such meetings last night in Kansas, and there will be more to-night, and on Monday night there will be hundreds. Governor Lewelling, you are in a fair way to be- come acquainted with the people of Kansas. Public sentiment is against your course in recognizing lawlessness as you have done, and when you have felt the stern edict of Kansas, when the force of the opinion of an indignant people reaches you, the honors of your ofiice and the flattery of your advisers -wnll sink into insignificance. Those who at present seem to be directing your course imagine they are advanced thinkers, martj-rs, and reformers, when the plain truth is they are sentimental experi- menters in anarchy and fiat, many of them hating law because it restricts crime and makes labor necessary. Most of your leaders here in Topeka to-day express openly their contempt for all law, human and divine. They feed the fires of prejudice against all forms of property, sow the seeds of suspicion against all people outside their own party, and would turn the world upside down in the firm belief that all change is reform and progress. Their teachings are dangerous to stable government as well as to the peace and prosperity of communities. In concluding this letter, Governor, permit me to say that we are making history at this time very fast, and you will be a con- spicuous figure for good or bad. There can be no evasion of your responsibility. You are either for or against Kansas, and it is a plain and a logical proposition that you cannot be for your State and on the side of lawlessness. Governor, stand with those who are building up Kansas, and not with the men whose mis- sion it is to destroy. LETTERS 10 GOVERXOR LE WELLING. 13 TO GOVERNOR JEWELLING. Lm^TER No, 4. ToPEKA, Kas., January 15, 1893. My dear Governor : I regret that I am not able at this time to acknowledge the receipt of your answer to my letters, I do not forget, however, your pressing and onerous duties as com- mander-in-chief of the military forces of the State and execu- tive head of the revolution. I have no wish to imcouple the train of thought meandering through your mind this pleasant Sabbath morning, but it occurs to me that I should in strictest confidence inform you of what seems to be in the air — so to speak. It is whispered in the corridors, in the temples of justice, and in the forum, that, contrary to history, your revolution is moving backward. In view of this solemn fact. Governor, I suggest that we correct the record and call the revolution simply "insur- rection." One of the painful iucidents of the present rebellion. Gov- ernor, was the severing of the umbilical cord that united the Democratic party and the People's party. There were real tears in the ej'es of Chairman Jones and Jerry Simpson, two of your valiant commanders, when this event occurred. The refusal of the Democrats to be longer mustered under your banners must be a source of deepest grief to you. By their faithful help you now wear the kingly crown of power, and but for their addition to your forces you would be pursuing the peaceful and fruitful avocation of loaning money at i per cent per month. When you shall have attended worship this morning. Governor, and you sit in the Governor's mansion meditating upon the mutations of time and the uncertainties of politics, look beyond the present moment to the close of 1894, when you can lay aside the cares of State and again retire to the Peerless Princess on the banks of the irrigated Arkansas. You can then look back upon the brief but brilliant record of your party, and see that it failed because there was not enough powder behiud the wadding. This, however, is no time to indulge in proverbial philosophy. 14 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWKLLTNG. or to anticipate the closing hours of an administration cheated by Bellamyism, nursed In- the principles of Doster and Herr Most, and made ridiculous by Simpson and Willits. You, rx\y dear Governor, were not selected because of your anarchistic sentiments or your profoiind convictions that fiat was real, that nothing was something, but because, as a business man, you would be a healthy change over the cockle-burr statesman who preceded 3'ou as the gubernatorial candidate on the People's party ticket. It was the year, Governor, in the history of your party, to turn down the farmers as leaders and to turn up the lawyers, doctors, and the money-loaners ; hence you hold the sceptre. Here at the front gate of your administration you have made the mistake of recognizing a fiat House. The massive brains of j'our leaders have become so tangled up in millions and billions of fiat relief that it is not surprising that even you should have been led into error by them, until you really believe 58 to be a larger number than 67. The time has arrived, however, G"vernor, when the people are requesting you, in tones louder than thunder, to cor- rect your mathematics and to adjust your statesmanship to the constitution and the laws. Permit me to call your attention to the mighty voice of the people voting against your fiat House in the great mass-meetings being held all over Kansas. Public sentiment — that can pulverize any man who defies it, in all the Republic — is crystallizing in the utterances of the State press, a few samples of which are presented for your Sunday reading. My dear sir, do not imagine that I hold any prejudice against your appointments because I was not consulted in their selection. The strained relations existing between this journal and your party since its organization have no doubt prevented you from seeking my valuable advice. I may, nevertheless, in this private and epistolary manner, bring to your attention some objections I might have urged against your present war secretary, the com- mander under you of the marines, infantry, artillery, and cavalry, as well as the new arm of the service known as " the assistant adjutants-general." I have not the pleasure, 1 regret to say, of a personal acquaintance with "General " Artz, except through the court records of Colorado and his recent war-like utterances in a public mass-meeting. The gubernatorial cloture should at once be adjusted upon his large and vociferous mouth. I do not deem it appropriate to offer the details of the charge and trial of your adjutant-general at Colorado Springs, in the District Court LETTERS TO GOl'ERNOR LEWELLING. 15 before Judge Campbell in 1891, unless you or lie should iusist. In my extensive reading of contemporaneous history I find the following personal notice of your war secretary in the Colorado Springs Gazette of January nth, which, I regret to say, is a plu- tocratic sheet, and therefore its utterances are subject to some suspicion. Here is the notice : HE WILIv NOT STAY CRUSHED. Most of the residents of this city of two years ago have reason to remem- ber H. H. Artz, lawyer, agitator, and general rustler. His career in this city covered the brief period of about three years, but it was dazzling while it lasted. He managed to keep himself talked about constantly, got into a a number of lawsuits, ran for county judge and alderman of Colorado Springs. His last escapade, however, brought him to grief. He was ciught attempting to bribe a witness in a criminal case, and was fined $1,000. Judge Campbell of the District Court instructed the district attorney to bring criminal charges against him on the grounds of perjury. A suit was also started in the Supreme Court to disbar Artz from practicing in this State, and suits are also pending to secure the payment of the 51,000 fine, his brother having signed the notes for him. It seems quite probable just now that Artz will be able to pay his fine, as he was j'esterday confirmed as the adjutant-general of the State militia of Kansas. The new Governor, Lewelling, has appointed him to that position . Artz got his "pull" from the fact that he made one of his "blue dome of heav- en" speeches nominating L,eweUiug in the Populist convention. The office carries a salary, and the adjutant handles the money and the contracts of the State militia. Artz was n»t arrested for perjury, as he left for Kansas two days before service could be had upon him. He was always a great friend of the dear people, and always ready to champion their rights— with his mouth— while he lived here, and he seems to have found his kind of peo- ple down in poor, old, bleeding, bloody Kansas. You will observe, Governor, that there is a vein of levity run- ning through the article above that is to be deplored. In the crude and unlettered wilds of Colorado there is not that defer- ence paid to greatness that we offer here in the cultured capital of Kansas. Of course, my dear sir, you will understand that I do not recommend that " General " Artz be court-martialed and shot — at least, not yet. He may be no worse than your other appointees, who will be considered as the revolution progresses ; and besides, it would not be safe in this critical hour of your administration, when 5^ou are facing the responsibility of the second week of the "rump " House, to leave the property of the State and the liberties of the plain people unprotected. In closing this letter, Governor, permit me to congratulate you that there were no more blunders that could have been made ill yor.r first week. You exhausted the supply. As I am a candi- 16 LETTERS 10 GOVERNOR LE WELLING. date for an important office, I have refrained from expressing offensively partisan sentiments regarding the history we are making. Seeking office always deprives men of outspoken inde- pendence — but with this fact you are no doubt more familiar than I am. LETTERS TO GOl'ERNOR LEWELLING. 17 TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. lyETTKR No. 5. TOPEKA, Kas., January 15, 1893. My dear Governor: Permit me to say to you that your fail- ure to hear from me the past few days did not arise from indif- ference on my part to your conspicuous labors in the interest of reform and anarchj^ I assure you, sir, that the most reckless ora1/or of your calamitj- party never pictured a more defiant exec- utive head than yourself for a revohitionary movement against the tyranny of law and good order. I read your war proclamation yesterday, written by Assistant Governor Doster, with a suspicion that the present revolution was impairing your abilit}^ to state facts, while you yet retained the capacity of the average speak- ers of your party to substitute bombast for reason and threats of lawlessness for patriotism. It is the duty of the press to point out the public ofl&cers who endeavor to pass gall for ability and windy bravado for courage. That you do not appreciate this portion of the unselfish labors of the daily press is the m.isfor- tune of the State, over whose destinies you will preside for two long years. You state, in the "stump" speech which precedes the military and sanguinary portions of your proclamation, tkat the public meetings held throughout the State to protest against the lawlessness of the minority of the House, the minority of the Senate, and your sympathy with it all, are instigated bj' '' corporate power " and addressed by " corporation attorneys." Your utter disregard of the proprieties due Republican repre- sentatives, as honorable and as useful to their State as 3'ou have been during your brief residence, has been a matter of astonish- ment to citizens of all political parties, but your deliberate insult to tens of thousands of citizens all over Kansas, whose patriotic course j'ou could emulate with great good to the State, is the crowning piece of impudence and bad manners least expected from a chief executive, and the man who ought to be the first geiitleman of the State. It was unfortunate for yoxi, my dear doveruor, that j'our 18 LETTERS TO aO]'ERNOR LEWELLING. Assistant Governor Doster was not familiar with the facts and incidents relating to the organization of the House, and more especiall}- must it be humiliating to you to learn, through the columns of this excellent family political newspaper, that, not- withstanding the wise and solemn judicial visage of your Assist- ant Governor, he was absolutely in error in every one of the cases cited by him in your pronunciamento. You can see, my dear Governor, how embarrassing this must be to your friends, who are compelled to rearrange their facts concerning the progress of the revolution each morning after reading the Capital, and to also adjust their judicial decisions in accordance with the law as explained so clearly in the official State paper. Of course, my dear sir, no one charges j'ou with the responsibility of misquot- ing the law and precedents, because everybody, even snorting Populists, understand that you do not know- anything about the law, or you would not make these " fool breaks" that must event- iially bring you to the Supreme Coiirt and under the mountain weight of public contempt. I am afraid, my dear Governor, that you have not read the old Latin maxim correctly. You have possibly been led to say, " Vox Populist, vox Dei.''' The point you will readily attach to 3-our mind is, that 100,000 voters in Kansas is only one-third of the populi. See? Between the lines of the war-like document I fear I read: " I am the State." Don't try to be bigger than the people, Governor. Political cemeteries are full of alleged statesmen w-ho have tried the experiment. As one of your confidential advisers, let me say. Governor, don't try it. You say that the authority of the State must not longer be disregarded? Do you contemplate military invasion of the House to give the control of thatbodj- to the minority of fifty-eight? Is that the plain English of your threat ? The execiitive head of the State had better take a day off and try to think o\\\. the consequences of such a high-handed outrage before he gives his final orders. My dear sir, if the army moves upon the Bastile of the pluto- crats, will you command in person in the full regalia of a militia major-general, or will General Artz, recently of Colorado, com- mand the forces? {Fishback vs. Indian) If you would permit a suggestion from one not rattled with the cares of state, allow me to urge, if there is to be war, if you are determined to wear the gay trappings of a tented field, that yoii make it hot and sanguin- ary. Plant yoiir artillery commanding each wing of the State- LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 19 House, hold well your cavalry in the rear to purstie the enemy when they fly, and, with your infantry supporting your artillery, command the sixty-seven members of the House to at once surrender to the fifty-eight members in the name of the laws of the State as interpreted by Assistant Governor Doster and the Duke of Iowa. If they refuse, let the war for the rights of the people and the constitution as interpreted by the anarchist Clemens begin at once. Give the Bald Hornet of the Neosho orders to shoot the dove of peace if it attempts to break through the gable window of the west wing. In this masterl}' manner the laws and the constitution will be sustained, and the great movement for the freedom of the people from the galling yoke of plutocrac)^ become one of the historic events of the century. The motto that should adorn the breast of everj' soldier and statesman of this army of liberty should be: "We will have peace if we have to fight for it." These are but fragmentary hints for you, as commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the State, to assimilate and expand. I listened j'esterday, Governor, in the Senate, to the discussion of a motion to refer the papers in the two contested cases before that body. The one sentiment that seemed to be a key to Populistic reasoning was uttered by Senator Senn, of Dickinson Count)^ He said, in substance, in reply to the legal arguments ably presented by Republicans, that in contest cases no attention should be paid to the law; that thej- should be settled on common- sense principles. With such statesmanlike utterances from senators. Governor, you can go forward in 5'our revolutionary course absolutely certain of support from your part}-. In conclusion. Governor, it is scarcely necessary for me to urge you, in the name of patriotism, of peace and good order, and of the business interests of the State, to get away from the pestilential influences that surround you. Send the anarchistic advisers to the rear, and remember that you are the Governor of a great State and an intelligent people who have no sympathy for the law-breaker, no matter what his pretended grievance is. You are responsible for the present disgrace upon Kansas, and you alone can stop it — not by foolish newspaper communications, but bj' calling a halt upon your party leaders, who are bringing upon you the overwhelming condenination COIT.RXOR LE WELLING. S3 TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. Letter No. 9. ToPEKA, Kas., February 5, 1893. My dear Governor: Another week of blizzards and revolu- tions has passed into the tomb of history. The continued solici- tude I have felt in your effervescing administration has possibly not escaped your discriminating powers of observation. The absolute frankness you have encouraged me to indulge in during this charming correspondence leads me to say that you will go down in history as the greatest mathematical politician of the age. You have proven to the world that 58 is greater than 63, and this one great discovery may yet change the very foundations of our government. The elaboration of this wonderful new prin- ciple may be a solution of the problem of how to make fiat dis- count the real, and anarchy excel law and order. Excuse the apparent levity of the remark, but what a mascot you would be to the revolutionists of old Mexico. By the way, have you noticed how the old Sandwich Islands are all torn up with a revolution something like our own, and that the gentlemanly barber, Mr. J. A. McCandless, formerly of Manhattan, in this State, and Mr. J. Emmelmuth, the clothier, late of Atchison, figure conspicuously as [signers of the articles deposing Queen Liliuokalani of the Hawaiian Islands? Kansas never permits a procession to pass in an)' part of the world without having some of her distinguished citizens bearing a banner near the brass band. At this time Mr. McCandless and Mr. Emmelmuth have assumed the responsibil- ity of standing up for Kansas in Hawaii. It would be a graceful and an appropriate thing for you to do, my dear Governor, to offer the rulers of the effete East a pointer in diplomacy and etiquette, by addressing a brief note of condolence to the widow of the late John O. Dominis, whose queenly title taxes the powers of elocutionary gymnasts. Permit me to suggest something like the following for your cablegram : From the Duke of Iowa, Lewelhng I. of Kansas, to ex-Queen LiliuoJialani, widow of (he late Johyi O. Dominis , gyeeling : I tender you the services of the army and navy of my empire to sup- at LETTERS TO (.OVERXOA' IJ:]\i:i.LIX(:. pr-fss the plutocratic tools of Spicokels. Shall 1 send you General Artz ? You have my tender sympathy. I am doing some revolutionarj' work here in my own kingdom. My dear Governor, a message of that kind would indicate that the Atlas weight of your own revoltttion did not prevent you from recognizing the proprieties due from one ruler to another; and besides, Mrs. Dominis might possibly have use for General Artz. Next Tuesday, February yth, will end the fottrth week since the revolution under yotir personal supervision began making history and destroying the remnant of credit and State pride your party had not been able to blot out. We seem to have arrived at that point known to -all spasmodic movements where stagnation sets in. The noisy hum of statesmanship, the audible directions of the Populist steering committee, the valuable efforts of those seeking minor offices, even the "stump" speeches of Chaplain Todd directed at the Lord, have all lost the spirit of the first stormy days of the rebellion. The new statesmen have come in contact with the historic stone wall, and they are trying to think. Reforming the world in a day is a big job, and the first half of the session is squandered. There is an absence of the former joyful sounds of the timbrel and the hewgag. The monotony might be relieved by another war proclamation. It is true that No. 2 did not fire the hearts of the "plain people," nor arouse the Bald Hornet of the Neosho to the heroic effort of annihilating the organization of the rebellious sixty-nine, but your discerning mind will readily grasp the fact that something mitst be done to check the wheels of the revolution or it will surely begin to roll backwards. One of the incidents of the week, which was signifi- cant only as being full of the usual brag and bluster, was the letter of Mr. Dunsmore, who presides over the Ben Rich House, demanding, on the line of your proclamation No. 2, that the legal House now composed of sixty-nine members acknowledge the supremacy of the fifty-eight Populist members. The same contempt for law, the same spirit of disrespect for the courts that has pervaded the speeches and the writings of the Populist members of the Legislature and the State officers, particularly yourself, the same lack of State pride and patriotic sentiment, were behind, in front of, and completely filled this communication of Mr. Dunsmore. You were given the credit as LETTERS TO GO]ERM)R LEWELLIXG. 85 well as the blame for having inspired liis insolent threat against the legally organized House. The dignified and forcible reply of Speaker Douglass to Mr. Dunsniore was an evidence of the extra- ordinary patience with which men who have absokite confidence in the righteousness and legality of their case can listen to empty, boastful pretenders. Has it ever occurred to you, my dear Governor, that the teach- ings of the past three years behind locked doors and shrouded windows, at mass-meetings and at picnics, are going to do more than give you the offices you were all after? What was the foun- dation of your school-house oratory? It was to arouse the preju- dices of the producers against the consumers, to make the man who lived in the country believe the man who lived in town was his enemy. To wan the favor of the workingman and the farmer by flattering him that he was a purer, better man, a more honest and a more patriotic citizen, than those who lived in towns and cities. You aroused class prejudice and endeavored to build a party upon the hatred of one class against another. You made the farmer believe he was more useful than the merchant, doctor, banker, lawyer, editor, or manufacturer. These false ideas are the foundation stones of the Populist party. The demagogues of your party preached openly that the consumers were robbing the producers and that every Republican. was a personal and political enemy. These were the doctrines you inculcated upon which to build your demand for class legislation and fiat schemes and heresies of the most impractical character. The elections for two years past in Kansas have been upon this basis. Your party has promised all kinds of reforms by legislation. Now, in the third Aear of its history, it is captured by the Democrac3\ the farmers are sent to the rear as leaders, while doctors, lawyers, and money- loaners like yourself secure the offices. Another cardinal principle of your organization was that the office should seek the man, and not the man the office. Inside of thirty-six months every office to be filled and every new one to be created is pursuing from ten to fifteen men. Up one flight of stairs and down another, through one corridor into the next, out <.f one office into another, through the Senate chamber, across the Appian Way to the House, the remorseless offices pursue the unhappy Populists. There have never before been witnessed such heroic efi'orts of patriotic men, pure, unselfish men, devoted to kill- ;-i(i LETTERS TO GOVERNOR l.EWELJJNG. inj^ tyranny, to escape the bondage and corrnption of office. iJay after day, since the 9th of January, has the sprinting contest been going on in our State capital. You, my dear Governor, have seen noble sons of toil who have been wont to heap contumely on the office-holder, exhausted by their daily efforts to escape office, at last succumb because nature could no longer sustain the unequal contest. You have seen them in these supreme moments grandly rise to the responsibility of the hour and become sacrifices for their country's good. Touching scenes of this kind have come under my own observation. I have even seen two and three members of the same family thvis called upon to respond to the sacred call of duty. It is thus "our people" are teaching the plutocrats the highest duties of unselfish citizenship. Ah! my dear sir, we must stand by the grand principle that the office should seek the man if it kills off half the members of our noble order. From peaceful Cloverdale in Chautauqua County comes a statesman who has evolved the most original idea that the great aggregation has produced during the week. Senator Jason Helmick has offered a bill in the Senate which provides that all the count}' offices, except county attorneys, shall be let and awarded like the keeping of the poor, the furnishing of coal, and county printing, to the lowest competent bidder. All this shall be done by the county commissioners. Just why county attor- neys should be left out I cannot understand, or why a Populist bill should demand competency on the part of a county officer puz- zles me greatly. This is a wonderful bill, and its possibilities are immense. Extend this same method to State and United States Senate and Congressional offices, and your mathematical mind, my dear Governor, can readily comprehend the benefits. Men will be relieved from the expenses of a canvass and escape the toils of a nominating convention; all they need do is to sub- mit a sealed proposal and await the inevitable. Thus all the ex- penses of political speeches, hiring halls and brass bands, and torchlight processions will go into the legitimate channels of trade. What a practical piece of statesmanship. Long live the hero of Cloverdale! Under such a simple system no interest whatever need be taken in the delegates from the bloody Second Ward, and the kickers of the Fifth Ward would have to go dry. In the sale of the United States senatorship Mr. Watkins, of the plagiaristic Athens of Kansas, would bid as high as he had in the LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 37 present campaign. All this would mean less sentiment and more business in politics, and lots of money would be saved to loan to the "plain people" on "jimson-weed" farms. I know that your path of duty, my dear Governor, is somewhat rocky at this time, notwithstanding the large amount of advice shipped to 3-ou bj- admiring friends. You have an able and dis- tinguished staff of socialists, long and short haired anarchists, and various styles of cranks seeking to get an occasional hour with the helm of the ship of state, and thefore it has seemed to me all the more necessary that I should in this quiet Sabbath hour drop a kernel or two of wisdom into your mind for possible germination. You can't run a party and a State with a lot of small, smooth-bore politicians who live upon the gospel of hate, who can not distinguish between brains and the jaw-boiiC of an ass, who believe that pulling down all established laws, usages, and customs is reform. In conclusion, my dear Governor, I can only say, get right with your State and its laws, broaden out and be a Governor for all the people of Kansas, and we will sustain you. All that all the people ask of yoii is honest, earnest, patri- otic conduct in the affairs entrusted to you, and this much you have failed to offer them i;]) to date. 38 LETTERS TO GOIERNOR LEWELLIhC TO GOVERNOR LBWELLING. Letter No. 10. TOPEKA, Kas., February 12, 1893, ]\Iy dear Governor : We still continue to travel the dull and monotonous road of mediocrity and fiat legislation. The warm sunshine that comes to us with the approach of St. Valentine's day admonishes you and me and the other horny-handed sons of toil that the time for spring plowing is at hand; the first crocus will soon bloom, and the oats should be sown without delay. My sympathy has gone out to you during your heroic struggle v/ith your disheveled conscience the past week. In filling the offices not yet vacant, I saw the high resolve on your part to be true to the star-eyed goddess of reform, and a mocking, cruel world will never know the perspiring effortyou have made to make good fifty- three promises for the three offices of Railroad Commissioner. Whatever may be the tumultous feelings in the bosom of the Peer- less Princess over your official action in selecting the three Popu- listic statesmen who are to wreck the railroads of Kansas, it is time Tom Fitch understood that the promises made in the heat and confusion of a midsummer nominating convention ma}' be blasted by the political polar waves that succeed election. The Princess may tear her beautiful auburn tresses over the too early cooling of your love, but she must remember that, burthened as you are with many similar complications regarding other offices, and as the commander-in-chief of the doiible-headed reform move- ment, you can not be confined in your official action b}' any promises you may have made persouall}' while yet only an hum- ble citizen of the metropolis of Oklahoma. The keeper of the keys of that retreat at Lansing — that colony of advanced thinker^ who at various times and places demanded a division of property they had not earned — was easily selected, and so was the Superin- tendent of Insurance, altlumgh the office will not be legally vacant for over two years. lUit the great cause of protecting the "plain people" against plutocracy can not be hindered for aa LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 39 hour by any little coiiveiitioiialities of law or precedent, aud, ' therefore, the official guillotine of the executive council has been busy. It pleases nie, my dear Governor, to see you buckle the sur- cingle of your agricultiiral administration a little tighter and turn the official search-light upon the monopolistic condition of the Capitol city. It was but a matter of justice that the good Dr. McLallin, who has been carrying water and fuel and building fires in your political household since its brief but tempestuous life began, should be rewarded for his labors by appointment as Commissioner of Elections. The good Joseph, thus relieved, has been a mocker of the grips and signs of the brethren who dwell in the Citizens' Alliance, and he can seek pastures new. Your kind appreciation of my suggestions in the past emboldens me to speak for some of ni}- fellow-citizens whose shrinking modesty hides their extraordinary ability. These gentlemen are leaders of your party, living here in this beautiful city of schools, churches, and pleasant homes — which features, we maj- add in passing, are indicative of a prosperit)' that should be pulverized, because, where the wailer of woe cannot successfully do business your party refuses to have a majority. These gentlemen have been industrious for the success of your party in this county and in the State with but little aid from the real farmers. They want recognition at your hands. Thej^ are men of political experience, as most of them have trotted for consolation purses in all the various parties, before yours, Minerva-like, burst upon the world. Many of them, through the leniency of kind-hearted judges, are permitted to call themselves lawyers, and for their industrious cultivation of agricultural-law and landscape-gardening politics should now be provided by you with some legitimate means of obtaining a livelihood. Ah, yes! my dear Governor, I anticipate j-our reply, that you have many such to care for; but if you wish to retain these leaders, organizers, and pushers in your party, you must reward their unselfish sacrifices with some oleaginous office. I want nothing for myself, Governor ; I plead for those who have strained their vocal organs defending the oppressed farmer. The evangelizing influences of General Ballington Booth dur- ing the week did not seem to reach the executive chamber. If they had, my dear Governor, you would not have forgotten the promises yon made to the representatives of organized labor who 40 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. called to urge the appointment of Mr. H. M. Ives as Labor Com- missioner. Mr. Ives, who is the president of the Kansas Federa- tion of Labor, a resident of Kansas for eleven years, an intelligent and competent gentleman, was endorsed by fifty-four of the sixty- five organizations in the Federation, by miners' unions represent- ing 7,000 or more voters, by Senator Martin, General Weaver, Samuel Gompers, president of the National Federation of Labor, and by many Populist members of the House. You may remem- ber to have said 3'ou would be guided "by the preponderance of endorsement of the labor element." Mr. Ives had it; but, like many another statesman, you were "short "on memory and "long" on promises. One objection you made against Mr. Ives was that he was a Democrat. And yet. Governor, neither you nor one- fourth of your windy statesmen would be on the rolls if it had not been for Democratic votes. You appointed one Todd, and the labor organizations of the State are asking, "Who in thunder is Todd?" Thus another pretense is punctured. You have no doubt heard the rumblings of discontent among the people growing louder and louder each day, protesting against the foolish waste of time and money, the idiotic travesty upon legislation, and the lack of dignity and absence of good spnse in the present proceedings. It may be that you are too busy tiying to appease the army of office-seekers that besiege you to really comprehend the widespread indignation toward your attitude and at the ridicule and humiliation your party is bringing upon our State. The cleverly planned conspiracy that has brought about tlie present situation here at the Capitol has been made clear by the events which have transpired since the assembling of the Legis- lature on January loth. The conspirators meant to gain posses- sion of the House of Representatives by seating on the day of organization ten contesting members. Your party had on the floor of the House fifty-eight legal members on the first day of the session, while the Republicans and Democrats together had sixty-seven legal members. The ten bogus members of your party were sworn in before the meeting of the Legislature and placed upon the roll made by Ben Rich on January loth, and five of them voted. These men, as you know, did not possess one iota of evidence to show that they had a right to be upon that floor, and yet formed a part of the pretended constitutional LEllERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 41 majority of your party. I have before me a copy of the roll made by Ben Rich containing the ten bogus members added by him to the printed roll. This roll prepared by Ben Rich bears the fol- lowing statement written in his hand : " Present at roll-call Jan- uary lo, 1893, and answering to names." Each Populist jDresent was checked. Governor Lewelling, did you not positively know that these ten contesting Populists, without certificates of elec- tion, would be upon the House roll of January loth and form a part of your pretended constitutional majority ? And do you not know that they had no right to be on that floor or on that roll read by Ben Rich.-* If you, or Ben Rich, or any other man or men, had the right to place those men upon the roll without even the semblance of an examination of their claims to member- ship, and before the Legislature was organized, had you not the same right to declare every Republican member's seat vacant ? Oh, shame upon such an open-faced political crime! And you. Governor Lewelling, were not only one of the parties necessary to make this outrage upon the rights of the people successful, but you were deeper than this in the conspiracy to rob the majority of the House of their legal rights. Listen! The conspiracy was this : five members of the Sen- ate were to be unseated by contest, giving the Populists a two- thirds majority, to enable that body, under the statute, to dis- solve the Supreme Court, and thus get rid of all the legal pro- tection the people to-day have against your usurpations of power. By seating ten members in the House you secured both Houses. Your very hasty recognition of the House was your part of the conspiracy. The blunders of the little old man who is trying to be Secretary of State, in not properly sending the notices of con- test to the President of the Senate, caused a break in your pro- gramme that even the monumental gall of the senatorial majority has not been able to surmount. Their fire contest Ccses have decreased to two, and these are not supported by evidence suffi- cient to warrant the Senate in acting upon them, as was intended. The conspiracy was well planned, and, but for the blunders on the part of the Secretary of State and the lack of courage on the part of the "rump" House, would have made the blackest polit- ical chapter that ever disgraced any State. All this you have been a part of, Governor Lewelling, and you stand to-day before the people of Kansas as having used your high executive office 42 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. to place the minority of fifty-eight in control, against the legal majority of sixty-seven. The plan to capture the two-thirds majority in the Senate by five contests, possess the organization of the House by ten fraudulent members, take possession of the Railroad Commission, — although the terms of the old members have not expired, — to depose the Insurance Commissioner in the same way, to change the law relating to the secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, State Librarian, and State Historical Society, so that the Populists could be placed in control of every office, and to remove the members of the Supreme Court if nec- essary, formed the plan of the conspiracy hatched by your legal advisers. Judge Webb, Doster, and Clemens, and accepted and acted upon by you and other leaders of your party. This is the indictment I file against you. The people are not blinded for one moment t® the seriousness of this situation, and your farce of placing the responsibilit}- of a do-no*thing policy upon the Republicans and Democrats acting with them is transparent to all. I have before me also a copy of the original journal of the "rump" House, which differs from the recent attempt to .make up a new journal. Your conspiracy was based upon an utter disregard of the legal and moral obligations due the people of Kansas. It has failed, and there is but one way out of the dis- graceful situation in the House, and that is for you, via the Su- preme Court, to recognize that sixty-nine members now presided over by Speaker Douglass constitute the legal House of Repre- sentatives. If you and Mr. Dunsmore and the Populist leaders of the Senate believed in the legality of the "rump " House, why have you hesitated to do business? Why do none of the "rump" House bills find their way to the Populist Senate, and why has the Senate not sent its bills to the "rump " House ? All this is lo build up the People's party; the expense and disgrace to Kansas is for the benefit of Populism run mad. My dear Governor, Shakespeare, that great reader of passion and motive, sized you exactly when he wrote: " But man, proud man ! Dressed in a little brief authority, Most ig-norant of what he 's most assured, His glassy essence, like an angry ape, Plays such fantastic tricks before high hcaveu As make the angels weep." LETTERS 'JO GOyERAOR LEU ELLIS G. 4:5 TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. Letter No. 11. TOPEKA, Kas., February 19, 1893. " Farewell the neighing .steed, and the shrill trump. The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife. The royal banner ; and all quality, Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war And, O you mortal engines, whose rude throats The immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit. Farewell ! Othello's occupation 's gone. " My dear Governor: The whole State of Kansa.s to-day con- gratulates you upon being a greater failure as a soldier than ;is a statesman. That our people escaped the deplorable disaster of a bloody conflict is due more to your vacillation than to your courage; more to your fear of consequences to yourself and j'our party than to your patriotism. While we are no longer menaced by the grim visage of war, we yet have the revolution with tis. The campaign only settled one point, and that was the right of the legal House to the exclusive use of the chamber erected for the House of Representatives. Where Mr. Dunsmore's political friends ma)^ gather for counsel and an exchange of parliamentary courtesies, is a matter of the slightest importance. It seems to me, my dear Governor, that it has cost a good deal of valuable time, much noise, many speeches and resolutions, and some money to settle a question, the answer to which was apparent to a large majority of the people of the State on January loth. Reform, however, is always expensive, especially when it is not genuine. "The war in Kansas" attracted the attention of the country to the existence of much stupidity, of a lack of patriotism and State pride that ought to have been carefully concealed behind our 9,000 school-houses. Our army and navy did not seem to be filled with that enthusiasm for the war for the stip- pression of the Republican party that marked the enlistment in this State in 1861, when the punishment of treason was the issue. Your war secretary, recently imported from Colorado, did not inspire that degree of confidence in the army essential to the 44 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WE LUNG. success of a great commander. The explanation is obvious. The reorganization of the land forces should begin at once, and none but Populists be permitted to enlist. Tphe events of the past few days have no doubt proved to you beyond cavil that you can not build your dynasty, my dear Duke, without complete possession of all the courts, appointive offices, and the army and navy, down to the private in the rear rank. There can be no established paternalism until Republicanism is extinguished. This proposition may be set down as an axiom, and your Assist- ant Governors, Webb, Doster, and Clemens, will no doubt cite you many historical references from the annals of the French Revolution to sustain this principle. The Republican officers of the National Guards should at once be court-martialed and shot, and every member of every company of the army most rigidly examined. If he does not possess the grip and sign of the glorious order that forms the foundation of the People's part}-, he should be discharged. At anj' moment it may be necessary to call the army and navy together again to resist the decisions of the plutocratic courts and other minions of the law. At such time it would be of first importance to have none but members of the' People's party on guard as soldiers of the dynasty. The war department under General Artz becomes the safeguard of your administration, and may be absolutely essential in permanently establishing your title as Diike of Iowa, Lewelling I. of Kansas. I notice, my dear Governor, that some of your senators, mis- understanding your official action in bringing the recent war to a close, have criticised your conduct. In a great revolution such as you are superintending there will arise mutinous officers from time to time. They are mere incidents and have marked all great movements. Others, more discreet, pound the enemy. Senator Leedy brought up the ancient topic of moving the capi- tal. This is always popular, and, as it is harmless, shows the wisdom of mature statesmanship. But this senator's mouth — like the militia — is not always under control, and its mechanical construction is such that a certain amount of action must take place before it comes to a stop. Hence he should not be held too strictly responsible. Senator Deunison labors under the same misfortune with his vocal organs, but his speeches do not inter- fere M'ith his making a State reputation as thephysical end of the Judiciary Committee. LETTERS TO GOJ'ERXOR I.E]\'ELLTNC. 45 If the goveruiiieut of the State were to he in the hands of the Populists in the future, then tlie propriety of moving the capital out of a country that jgives from 2,600 to 3,000 majority against the treason and anarchy of Populism and for the Republican party, becomes apparent. The sheriff in such a county is not the kind of a peace officer the Leedy crowd is looking for. A city of 40,000 inhabitants without a saloon, with forty churches and splendid schools, is not the best place to locate a capitol building for the disciples of fiat, repudiation, and Herr Most. In view, however, of the results ot the late war. Republicans should be considerate of the intemperate feelings of those who pursue the phantoms of Populism and the alluring promises of PefFer's "Way Ovit." Even the prayer of the spiritiial adviser of the Pop- ulistic majority of the Senate, brief as it was, convej-ed to the Lord the deep depression of Rev. Biddison's mind. He said: "May God have, mercy on our treason-infested State." What appears very singular in this ambiguous appeal is that the chap, lain should permit the higher court to determine who is guilty of treason. My dear Governor, let us review brief!}- the events of the week. The first act of the legal House on last Monday, February 13th, "befoh the wall, sail," was an effort to get the real question at issue before the Supreme Court. Mr. Chambers, chairman of the Elections Committee, recited the fact that one L. C. Gunn, of Labette Countj-, refused to recognize the summons of the legal House to appear as a witness in the contested case of John L. Huriiphre)-, of Labette County, and ofTered a resolution, as the sense of the House, that he be arrested for contempt. This reso- lution was passed, he was arrested, and his case is set for a hear- ing next Tuesday, FebVuary 21st. On Tuesday, the 14th instant, the legal House, presided over b}^ Speaker Douglass, in order to bring the question of the illegality of the Dunsmore House still further before the courts, passed a resolution ordering the arrest of Ben C. Rich, who, as acting clerk of the "rump" House, was disturbing the order and peace of the legal House. The attempt to arrest Mr. Rich on that day was the beginning of the war. Upon the adjournment of the legal House on the afternoon of Tuesday. Mr. Dunsmore's House took possession and locked the doors of the legislative hall. You will please follow me closely. Governor, as your memory does not seem to be of a stalwart -Ki LETTERS TO (rOJ'EA'XOR LEU'E/JJXC. character. On tlic aftt-riioou of Tuesday, after the attempt to arrest Ben Rich, a large uutnher of deputy sergeants-at-arms were sworn in hy both Houses. It was at this time that 5'ou, Governor, solicited au interview with Sheriff Wilkerson, which occurred between 3 and 4 p. M. of Tuesday, and during the conversation you suggested to Speaker Dunsmore, who had also been called into your executive office for consultation, that he had better make a written request of the sheriff to preserve the peace. This Mr. Dxmsmore did, then and there, and delivered tne letter in person to Mr. Wilkerson, who stated that he would make an early reply. The following are the letters : TopEK.A, K.\s., Febrtiary 14, 1893. J.M. JVilkerson, Sheriff of Sluxwnee County: Dear Sir, — I hereby call on you as sheriff of Shawnee County for suffi- cient force to preserve the peace and authority of the House of Representa- tives. I am very truly yours, J. JM. Dunsmore, Speaker of the House of Representatives. To which Mr. Wilkerson replied: -^ ToPEKA, Kas., February 14, 1893. Ho n. f. M. Dunsmore: Dear Sir, — Your communication calling on me as sheriff for sufficient force to preserve the peace and authority of the House over which you pre- side received, and in replj' will say, if there is a House of Representatives legallj' organized, it is clothed with the power to appoint a sergeant-at-arms, who has all power necessarj' to call to his assistance any number of citizens necessarj- to enforce the authority' with which he is invested by the House. Not wishing to decide which House is the legally organized body, I shall take no part as long as the peace and quiet of the citizens remains undis- turbed. Yours truly, J. M. Wilkerson. On the same day, Tuesday, the 14th, after the consultation with the Governor and Mr. Dunsmore, and after his reply to Mr. Dunsmore, at about 9 p. M., Sheriff Wilkerson received the fol- lowing letter from the Governor: ToPEKA, Kas., February 14. To folin M. tVilkerson, Slier iff of Sha7vnee County: Dear Sir,— Whereas, a body of armed and lawless men have this day attempted to arrest the chief clerk of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Ben C. Rich ; and whereas, there are rumors, which seem to be well founded, that such lawless body of men now contemplate a second attempt 10 arrest said Rich and otherwise to become a menace to the peace and order ot the State: now^ therefor;, I hereby demand of you that you proceed at once to provide such peace officers as may be necessary for the preservation of the peace and safety of the State, and that such officers be at once sta- tioned upon theCapitol grounds and in the corridors of the Capitol building, as may be necessary to prevent the entering of armed or disorderly men, LRTTRRS '/■(> (.lU'F.RXOA' IJ'Al'F.IJJNG. 47 ;ui(l that j-ou use every lawful means in your power to preserve the peace, prevent riot and all disorderly conduct, to the end that the House of Repre- sentatives may proceed undisturbed in the legitimate performance of its duty. Please advise nie at once if these demands will he complied with. Governor of Kansas. Regarding the above letter, Mr. Wilkersou saj's: My idea is that the Governor merel J' called on me for assistance so that he could boast of having done so, and contradicted the order before I had a chance to respond, and on the pretense that I had refused to assist him. I received the first note, asking for aid in protecting the [^Capitol, at 9 o'clock Tuesday night. At 10:30 of the same night Mr. Limeburner, from the Gov- ernor s office; came to my home in search of me, with a communication fron; '.he Governor I was not at home and he failed to find me that night. The next morning (Wednesday', the 15th) Mr. Limeburner was at my house by 7 o'clock in the morning and delivered the letter he intended me to have the night before The following is a copy of the letter : John M. U'ilkersoti, Sheriff Shawnee County: Dear Sir,— Since you have not seen fit to comply with my request to respond to a former communication of this evening, I hereby withdraw any demand for official assistance from you in preserving the peace in and about the corridors of the Capitol to-morrow morning. L,. D. I,eweli,ing, Topeka, February 14, 1893. Governor of Kansas. It was this refusal of the sheriff to become a partisan in the dispute between the two Houses that you, U13' dear sir, claimed was a refusal on the sheriff's part to do his duty in maintaining the peace. Upon this trick in the construction of the sheriff's answer j'ou issued your proclamation for the assembling of the tnilitia. At no time did Sheriff Wilkersou say he could not maintain peace. As soon as the sheriff learned that you had issued the proclamation calling out the militia, lie sent you the following letter : - Topeka, Kas., February rs, 1S93. To His Excellency, L. D. Levelling, Governor of the Slate ofA'ansas: Sir,— I as sheriff of Shawnee County, am charged with the duty of preserving the peace within the territorial limits of this county. I am advised that j-ou have called upon the military power of the State to presen-e the peace in this count}*. I wish to inform you that this action on your part IS without my consent or concurrence and is wholly unneces- sary as I have at no time intimated to 3'ou that I am unable to preserve the peace within this county. I now wish to inform you that I am fully able and prepared to enforce the laws and preserve peace and order, and it is my intention so to do. Very respectfully yours, J. M. Wilkerson, Sheriff of Shawnee Couniv, Kansas, 48 LFTTEh'S TO GOl'F.RXOR LEU'JUJ.TNG Before 12 o'clock GOVERXOR LEVELLING. 4l> It is the exclusive rig-Iit of each House of the Ik' i./'ir/'/jjxc. party, but you are not large enough to defy the law, aud when you do, officially or politically or personally, the trip-hammer of public sentiment will pulverize you. The story of the week, with all its exciting events, the grave dangers of a bloody conflict now happily passed, contains much that is humiliating to Kansas. The gathering of hundreds of armed men when there was no riot to be quelled, no disorder even, beyond the easy control of thecivil officers; the failure to intimidate, the retreat — are all historical facts over which the people are justly indignant. This chapter of a bloodless war to prop a rotten revolution, created to serve the political interests of a crowd of experimental politicians, would not be complete withoutgiving the terms of the surrender, which are as follows: ToTEKA, Februarj' 17, 1893. Firs/ . It being the understanding' that the Honse presided over by Mr. Dnnsmore has secured a hall in which to meet, the House presided over by Mr. Douglass shall remain in possession of Representative Hall, undis- turbed and \inmolested. Second : The Hoube presided over by Mr. Uunsniore shall in like manner be undisturbed and unmolested in the possession of the hall which it has secured, and may, if it desires, select a room in the State-House for its meetings, other than Representative Hall. Third : No arrests to be made by either House of members or officers of the other. Fourth : The militia to be immediately relieved, including the new recruits sworu in and the sheriiT's posse to be immediately disbanded. Fifth Militia companies now en »o«/c for Topeka to be immediately telegraphed to by the Governor to return to their homes. I.. Y>. Lewelling, Governor. Geo. X,. Douglass, D. W. Eastman, J. K. CUBBISON, Committee on the pat t of the Home presided o'l^er by Mr. Dougtass. The following additional memorandum was attached to the agreement: The memoranda this day signed by Governor Lewelling, George L. Douglass, D. W. Eastman, and J . K.Cubbison, as a committee of the House of Representatives presided over by Mr. Douglass, and hereto attached, is not to be construed as a recognition by either the Douglass or Dunsmore Honse of the legal organization or character of the other, or by the Governor or the Senate as a recognition of either of such Houses, and shall not be used in court or any legislative body as evidence for any person party, or body, and shall not be entered upon the journal or other record of either the Doug- lass House or the Dunsmore House or the Senate. Signed by I.. D. Lewelling, Governor, Geo. L. Douglass, D. W. Eastman, andj. K. Cubbison. I.ETTF.RS TO COl'EkNOR LEWELLlXi.. 51 Aud what, my clear Governor, has all this fuss and expense settled? Simply, I repeat, that the legal House has a right to the exclusive use of Representative Hall. The Senate continues to send its hills to the minority; you also continue to " recognize" it, and all pretended legislation is a useless waste of time and money. The public institutions of the State are menaced, the great exhibition of Kansas at the World's Fair will be lost, and the State disgraced, because a minority of fifty-eight is supported by you, defended by jou, as having the legal right to organize over sixty-seven. Representing onl)^ one-third of the voters of Kansas, elected as you were bj- Democratic votes, your assump- tion of supreme power is only equaled by your ignorance of the first principles of law and of a republican form of government. LETTERS TO GOIERNOR LEWELLLWG. TO QOVERNOR LEWELLING. Letter No. 12. ToPEKA, Kas., February 26, 1893. My dear Governor: Your comic administration has added one moreweekof history that amuses those who despise us and humil- iates those who love us. Your fantastic display of troops, whose presence was the only menace to the peace and good order of this community, summoned as they were to overcome the sheriff's legal right to maintain order, becomes more and more absurd the longer we consider its impropriety and your revolutionary intent. You no doubt owe your present good health to the fact that the State escaped a fatal collision between the deputy sheriff's and your forces. That Kansas was not further disgraced by bloodshed to sustain a minority filled with the solidified gall that claims 58 is greater than 64 is more due to the forbearance and patri- otism of the men you abuse in your recent semi-official address than to any appreciation of responsibility or control on your part of the excited conditions surrounding the week ending February i8th. How the troops of the State were marshaled to give legislative power to a reform party that feared to submit questions in dispute to the courts for adjustment is fully under- stood by an outraged people who are powerless to reply to the ridicule and contempt heaped upon Kansas throughout the nation. Ycur play is not a farce, because it imperils the credit and tarnishes the good name of the State, while the political clowns ti-avesty legislation. It is not a comedy, for that is bright, and witty, and entertaining. It is not a tragedy, because it is full of empty proclamations and weak bravado. Seven weeks have passed since you and your co-conspirators undertook to rob of their just representation the people who elected the majority of the House. Backed by your legal jugglers, Webb, Doster, and Clemens, strong in the power of a Populist Senate, since the loth day of January you have been determined to organize the House for Populistic purposes on a minority of fifty-six legal members LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 53 Two years ago there was a Republican Governor and a Repub- lican Senate, and your party had a majority in the House. What a mighty shout would have gone up from every Populist meeting since that time, if the Republicans had enunciated the infamous doctrine you have tried to force upon the State; namely, that the Governor and the Senate having recognized the minority of the House, therefore it is the legal House. This is your position and the argument of your Assistant Governors— Webb, Doster, and Clemens. Your windy orators all over Kansas would have sawed the unoffending air for hours to prove that such a course was dictated by corporate greed and monopolistic agencies. To-day you do this crime in the name of reform. INIy dear Governor, your friends increased your A-anity and raised false expectations l>y assuring the people, after your elec- tion, that you would be larger than your party. Is it possible that your party is no braver when facing a public duty, no stronger, no' more patriotic or faithful to the principles of justice, and represents no i!lore State pride than your wabbling course for the past seven weeks would indicate? Beginning with your iuaiigural address, where you missed your great opportunity to present some eN'idences of statesmanship, following that with your first address to the people, so full of errors of fact as to call from you a second explanatory one within a few days. This apology was so much worse than the first offense that you denied its authenticity after you saw it in cold print. Your proclama- tory administration then rested its case without further guberna- torial threats of violence until your war proclamation calling out the militia. On last Monday, February 20th, a Populist address was issued with }-our approval, which presents, in the usual ele- gant literary style of the gubernatorial ofiice, the deep chagrin and indignation you and your party felt over the just defeat vou suffered in 3'our first military campaign. I cannot forbear quoting from this last literary gem of the revolution. It says : when the Governor found himself confronted by the sheriff of Shawnee County and a huge horde of drunken, ruffianly deputies, said to be largely from Missouri, present, he also found that the militia of the State (on whom he had to rely Jwere to a man stained through and through with treason. The commanding officer w-as the first to make known his contempt for his official oath and that he would not obey orders from his superior officer. But the partisan sheriff, after involving himself in evasions and gross contradictions, perceiving that the Coveruor was helpless in the midst of a cowardly and disloyal militia, raised an array of deputies many of whom 54 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLINC. •were the most vicious and depraved characters, filled with rum and coutinu- allj' talking about hanging the Populist leaders. Backed up by this motley crew, the sheriff denies the Governor the powers conferred on him by the Constitution, and, under threat of bloodshed and an assault upon the State- House and the Governor's feeble forces, compels him to treat with the law- less and treason-infected Republican gang. That essential is "the preservation of the Populist House." To suppress this, to destroy it, to wipe it out of existence, was the das- tardly and far-reaching purpose of the Republicans when they precipitated the late insurrection. Could they have accomplished the suppression of that House, they would have thwarted all possibility of any reform legislation. They know that laws passed by the assistance of that House are valid. They know that the Supreme Court that would declare otherwise would have to reverse all respectable precedent, immolate itself to the basest partisan demands, and face a wave of public indignation unparalleled since the days when the notorious Judge Tresilian was followed to the scaffold by an out- rHged people, where they beat him with staves to make him ascend, and then exalted at his just but shocking execution. My dear Governor, let us proceed -with the interesting events of the revolution in the order of their occurrence. It is a source of congratulation that Chaplain Biddison's timely petition for your protection against assassination reached the throne of grace 50 promptly. You -will remember that the Dunsmore House pro- ceeded on Monday afternoon to organize for amateur experi- mental legislation in the "Cave of Gloom" in the south base- ment of the Capitol. It was on this same day that Senator Sterne introduced the following incendiary resolittion in the Senate : Whereas, It has been reported that a majority of this Senate would not submit to a decision of the Supreme Court of Kansas affecting the organiza- tion of the House of Representatives ; now, therefore, be it Ri'solved, That the Senate of the State of Kansas will cheerfully concur in the decision of s-aid court and recognize either House it may designate as the legal one. The resolution laid over under the rules until Tuesday, when, on motion of Senator Householder, it was laid on the table. On Wednesday, as soon as the Senate convened. Senator King (Pop- ulist) offered the following resolution : Whereas, It is reported and generally believed that the case now pend- ingin the .Supreme Court was broughtfor the express purpose of attempting to decide the legality of the organization and membership of the House of Representatives ; and Whereas, Article 125 of the Constitution reads as follows : ' Each House shall establish its own rules, and shall be judge of the elections, returns, and (jualificatious of its own members ;" therefore be it Kesolved^ By the Senate, that it is our judgment, after careful examina- LETTERS TO GOVERXOK LEWELLING. r,o tion of the Constitution and established precedents, that the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction whatever over the organization of the Legislature. Senator King moved that the rules be suspended and the reso- lutions considered at once. President pro tem. Householder ruled the motion in order. Senator Scott (Republican) offered the following resolution as a substiti:te for Senator King's resolution : Whereas, A report has in some manner gained circulation that this Senate would refuse to acknowledge the authority of the Supreme Court in the matter of the controversy in the House of Representatives now pending before that bodj'; and Whereas, vSaid report is an impeachment of the good sense and the patriotism of the members of this body; therefore be it Resolved, That we emphatically deny the truth of this report and declare that in this matter, as in all others in which legal points are involved, the Senate of the State of Kansas recognizes the authority of our Supreme Court and will loyally submit to its decision. It is altogether unnecessary for me to say to 30U that Senator Scott's sitbstitute, so manifestly in the interest of corporate monopolies, was prompth' voted down. I quote these resolutions to show how entirely you and other Populist leaders are in harmony in opposing the courts, when they may interfere with your partv supremacy. P'or fear, however, of becoming personal, and thereb}' disturbing our pleasant interchange, of Sabbath- morning reflections, I will not discuss the unrepublicanism of your secret oath-bound political organization, and the great importance to the Republic of its dying while quite yoting. Please repair the Republican end of your memory while we return to the first of the week. You know that Mr. L. G. Gunn was arrested by order of the Douglass legal House for refusing to obey a witness summons, and at once asked the Supreme Court to discharge him from arrest because of the illegality of the Douglass House, which for that reason had no right to arrest him. The case, j'ou will remember, came up on Tuesday, Febru- ary 2 1st, for trial. The court heard testimony on that day and Wednesday, and on Thursday the arguments were heard. Yes- terday the court presented its decision by Horton and Johnston ; Associate Allen, Populist, dissenting. All this has been published in this excellent daily newspaper, which it is my pleasure to make interesting and instructive to your administration. Dur- ing these days of suspense to the law-abiding and patriotic por- tion of the State, the rump end of your administration continued its humorous labors in the "Cave of Gloom," while the Senate 56 LETTERS TO GOl'ERNOR LE WELLING. listened to Mr. Leedy moving the capital of the State, with his wind power, out onto the prairies, where, as he magniloquently said, "it will be in touch with Providence." Of course the early settlers of this State ought to have thought a little wider and selected a spot nearer Providence than Topeka, but you see, Governor, we old Kansans have not had the privilege of living in other States all our lives, as you and other favored leaders of the new party have. However, there may be something in what Senator L,eedy says, although he would be the last man one would select as having exact information about Providence. I am sure you would have been greatly interested in the trial before the Supreme Court. The evidence presented some inter- esting phases of human nature. You may have observed, in trials, the fleeting tendency of the witness's memory when the question calls forth facts that the witness does not wish all this cold and unfeeling world to know. At times there was a back- wardness on the part of Mr. Lupfer's memory in coming forward that was quite embarrassing to him. He seemed to have lost a link oixt of it here and there, or dropped a stitch, so to speak, that gave his story a lop-sided appearance. When relating what occurred on the Populist side his forgetfulness was not so robust as it was about the Douglass side. However, the attorneys suc- ceeded in coaxing Mr. Lupfer to bring back large enough pieces of his shy and retreating memory to make a tolerably fair story. I have no doubt but what Mr. Lupfer's campaign utterances in "high C" are very satisfactory to himself, but, after going through a close cross-examination, he looked very much surprised and disappointed to find that his presumption and gall had failed to pass for statesmanship. There is something about the witness- stand- that punctures small frauds in such a cold-blooded way that.you sympathize with the collapse. The testimony of Mr. Ben C.Rich was another disaster to your cause. Ben's moustache is of that fierce variety that makes him look like one of the early buccaneers. His mind entered in a very cheerful manner into the spirit of proving the Dunsmore House altogether legal. When, however, the gentlemen who represented the side of law and order and the Douglass House turned their attention to Mr. Rich, his mind lost that vigor and tenacity that nuirked his answers in direct examination. His memory halted, and rested, and waited, and got sick in spots, in a wav that was very exasperating to him, no doubt. The lawyers LETTERS TO GOrERWOR LE WELLING. bl however, kindly helped him out, and mended his story audbraced up his thinking powers until he made a very clear case against himself and his party. Ben did not intend this result, and struggled hard to forget all the facts that proved the Dunsmore House to have been a deliberate conspiracy of the minority from the first to the last. Mydear Governor, I listened with careful attention to the pres- entation of your side of this House controversy before the Supreme Court. Your confidential friends, who are also your legal and political advisers, there off"ered the Populistic argu- ments and excuses for the conduct of 5'otir party during the past seven weeks. How weak and puerile and unjust the pleas were in behalf of your usurpation ! How defiantly your attorneys tried to bluff Justice with their cunning play of the foiir knaves, de facto, de jure, non-jurisdiction, and recognition! I waited with patience for the first argument based on right, honor, and justice. It did not come. Not one sentence was framed by your attorneys in this case demanding a recognition of the rights of the majorit}-. All speeches for your cause discussed the lack of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to decide the questions in- volved. Precedents were tortuied and hairs split to show that the recognition of the Dunsmore House of fifty-eight by yourself and the Senate made it a legal House. Your attorneys made no attempt to cover up or refute the fact that the Douglass House had sixty-four certified members and the Dunsmore House only fifty-eight on the day of organization. The rights of the citizens of Kansas represented by the majority of that House were totally ignored. "We have the Senate and the Governor, and without them you cannot do legislative business; therefore the Dunsmore House is legal," was the sum and siibstance of the argument presented by the ablest attorneys of your party. Judge Doster, who has constituted a large part of your kitchen cabinet during the progress of the revolution, said in his argument: " If any aggregation or body of men organize themselves into a House of Representatives and secure the recognition of the Senate and the Governor, they are the House of Representatives, though none of them were elected or were even voted for at the election. The courts must accept their acts as legal, and are powerless to inquire into their organization." Doster,andClemens, and Allen, and Hagan offered the whole »auge of legal technicalities to sus- tain lawlessness and force. On the other hand, Messrs. Garver 58 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. Overmeyer, Long, and Rossington presented the case of the legal majority with rare ability. Their arguments were the constitu- tional rights of the people and against the lawlessness of force. They plead for the preservation of legal forms and precedents to protect society against anarchy. Their arguments were patriotic appeals for the principles upon which the Republic depends for perpetuity. It was the great legal contest between the anarch}' and lawlessness that underlies the Populist party and the legal rights of those opposing that party. The sun rose bright and beautiful on Saturday morning, February 25tli. The decision of the Supreme judges was to be announced at 9 A. M. Long before the hour arrived the court- room was crowded to its utmost capacitj^ The judges took their seats and Chief Justice Horton delivered one of the greatest, most comprehensive, and soundest legal opinions upon the great issues involved that was ever handed down by the Supreme bench of this or any other State. Associatejustice Johnston joined in the opin- ion, while Associatejustice Allen delivered a dissenting opinion, accepting the Populistic theories of Doster, Clemens, and Webb. The anxiety of the people concerning this decision was very great. Many dispatches were received asking for the opinion, and a fervent '"Thank God, the law governs in Kansas!" went up from honest, earnest, patriotic citizens in every count}'. And now, my dear Governor, what of the future? If you and your party purpose resistance to the highest legal tribunal of the State, there is most serious trouble in store for all concerned. I do not believe this reckless, treasonable course will, under the circumstances, be pursued by you or your party. If the Douglass House is recognized by you, by the Dunsmore House, and the Senate, you will even at this late hour be entitled to the thanks of a people who have felt the outrage and injustice of the dis-* graceful proceedings of the past seven weeks. Obedience to the mandates of the court by the Dunsmore House will be met by the majority in a manly and chivalric spirit in the adjustment of the committees and minor offices for legislative work. In closing this talk over the eventful week, I hope, Governor, that we may be able to record in our next letter to you that the revolution has been laid away in the Historical Society's rooms as a relic, and that we may all join hands for the future growth and glory of Kansas. Our political differences we will cheerfully refer in 1894 to that great jury, the people. LETTERS TO GOTE AW OR LEWELLLXG. 5!) TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. Letter No. 13. TOHEK.A., Kas., March 5, 1S93. My dear Governor : On this lovely Sunday morning, when the birds are gaily heralding the approach of spring, it is pleasant to know that your deeply religious mind rests from the carking cares of state, and that j'our soul finds peace in the contemplation of the loftier themes to which men turn in hours of tribulation. You are fortunate in possessing a piety that does not interfere with your politics, and politics that do not jeopardize your indi- vidual interests. These great elements of character, combined with a profound ignorance of our State and of the people among whom you have resided for so short a time, eminently fit you to be the leader of "jingo" reform. In turning over the pages of that Book so appropriate for our perusal on this day, you will find in the following reference to the Dunsmore House a reproof, by inference, which, I may add parenthetically, appears to be along the line of the decision of the Supreme Court: The wicked are overthrown, and are not : but the House of the righteous shall stand. — Proverbs xii. 7. Another quotation from the same source offers an explanation as to why our people are filled with lametitations and wear the badge of mourning: when the righteous are in aulliority, the people rejoice- but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. — Proverbs xxix. 2. The lack of rejoicing all over our great State is very apparent. My dear Governor, when I last had the pleasure of addressing you through this valuable repository of political trtith and wis- dom, the supreme jtidicial power of the State had announced with ;dl the force and power of excellent legal terms and phrases and citations, old and young, in judicial history, that 63 was greater than 58. You and your travesty upon political parties did not receive this judicial decision of a .self-evident truth with that bois- terous hilarity that greeted Bre'r Otis, Simpson, Peffer, and other leaders of fiat, when they announced in their public speeches all fiO LETTERS TO GO J 'ERA OR LEWELLING over Kansas that they would have their rights " by the ballot or by the bullet." I noticed that the senators who represent your party and misrepresent Kansas had much to say against the decision of the Supreme Court. Permit me to go back to the proceedings of the Senate on Monday, February 27th, and quote some sentiments uttered on that day at a time when the Populist members of the House were obeying the decision of the court. Upon resolutions in the Senate denouncing the decision of the Supreme Court, but urging the recognition of the Douglass House as a matter of expediency to secure needed legislation, the author of the resolution, Senator Landis, said (and we quote from the report of his speech in the Populist paper of this city, the daily Press) : ' when we met here we believed that we had elected a majority of the lower House, and we always will so believe. When we recognized the Duns, more House we did what the Constitution reqiiired us to do. We have passed every act that we had promised, and now we find a Supreme Court that w-pes out all that has been done and forces upon us a House that has no authority. Mr. Landis sent to the secretary to be read a quotation from a speech delivered by ex-Senator Ingalls at Atchison in 1880, in which he scores Chief Justice Horton unmercifully. Mr. Landis continued: "If the Santa Ke Railroad Companj' did not figure in politics as it does, there would have been no trouble in the vState If I had a ten-year-old boy who did not know more about justice than there is in that decision, I would disown him. Why do we submit ? We do it that the blind, insane, and destitute may be taken care of, and that the people's interests may not suffer." Senator Jumper, whose oratorical flights have loosened some of the stars, addressing the Republican minority, said: You have been rebellious, and have taken the initiatory steps in all these troubles since January loth. I expect to voteforthat resolution, but shall do so under protest. We are only preparing the way, when we bow to this rotten and damnable system, for a great revolution in the politics of this State. Senator Leedy, a man of business experience entitling him to sense, if not to patriotism, said : I despise the two judges that rendered such a decision, and I spit upon the decision. With this decision we will get the political hides of these judges, and when they are hung up to dry we will see them branded on both sides witl* a railroad brand. I e.xpect to see this usurper Horton, like Jeffreys, hunting the prisons of this country in which to hide himself from justice And now we come to the honest expression of a genuine anarchist who is too sincere to cover his treason to law with the LFTTRRS y\> (,()I7-:A>.V()A' /./■'.WR IJJ XC. (•)! evasions resorted to 1)y other members of his party. We (|uote the Press in full : Mr. Senn gave notice that he should vote against the rcsolatiou because It recognizes the Douglass House, and expressed tlie opinion that undue weight is given to the decision of the Supreme Court, and that " we are too afraid of the cry of anarchy." He said: "I am not an anarchist I am a believer in law. But I do not believe that everything we call law is law There is no greater curse upon any nation than too much law. The people are the law, and then there comes the Legislature. There is only one ques- tion in the whole matter, and that is justice. If the Supreme Court had thought it best to overstep their power because of justice, then it would be all right, but in the whole decision there was not a single iota of justice. •Shall we abide by it? I say. never; but let us appeal to the people.' You no doubt recall what you said 3'ourself, Governor, to the Kansas QaVj Journal reporter on Saturday. For fear the compli- cations of your administration with the lottery gamblers down at the mouth of the Kansas River may have further injured a some- what unreliable memory, I quote : 1 am just as strong as ever in the belief that the court has no jurisdic- tion concerning the recognition of either House. However if It comes to a question of right and expediency, it may be best to recognize the Douglass House. I will not take the responsibility of telling the Popuiist House to recognize the Douglass branch. If they want to do so, they will do 't of their own accord. I have not yet decided what course I will pursue, but I will act with the advice of the Populist caucus. You will notice, my dear Governor, that your judgment and your convictions were not in good working order on that day You did not acquiesce in the decision of the highest legal tri- bunal; 3-ou waited for the caucus to instruct your mind and con- science as to your official dttty. You then and there wrote your- self down as the little creature of a little caucus of little men, and not the big Governor of a big State. One of your Assistant Gov- ernors, who is ambitious to be known as the Herr Most of Kan- sas, Mr. Clemens, a confidential adviser of your stormy reign, said : It is an outrage, that those two men may declare their own dictum to be the law for aU others iii a whole great v^ate, and they themselves responsi- ble to uo one. Charles the First was beheaded for less than that. They may cut my head off, but I'll never yield. I could die to be free, but I'll never give it up. Among the representative men of the Dunsmore House sen- timents were expressed similar to these we have quoted from the senators. Take, for instance, the following from Mr. Dunsmore. speaker and leader of the " rump" House. He says: We recognize the jurisdiction of no court or tribunal except the Senate (i'2 LF/rrr ks yv) coii-kwok' li-ui-.ijjnc, and executive, and will submit to their wishes only. The fight has but just begun. Our appeal will be to the people, and the campaign will be opened at once. Your Secretary of State oifered a good deal of advice at the time, urging that the duty of the Populist members was to go homeatid not recognize the Douglass House. He also said: The dail J' papers have suppressed the facts, and only printed what was favorable to the corporations ; but that will be changed. This decision of this partisan Supreme Court has given me more power than I want ; they have said that I can make the next Legislature by simply issuing certificates to whom I please. I don't like so much power, but the people will have a say in this matter. Representative Daugherty, of Gear)' County, said: "I will abide by the decision, but d — n the decision!" and this expression was probably the general sentiment of a large majority of the Populists in the House and Senate. The reproof administered to the Supreme Court by United States Senator PefFer was very mild. He expressed regret that the court had not " seen its way clearly to decline to take jurisdiction." No tears. The other Poptilist United States senator from Kansas, Hon. John Martin, although he had expressed himself to more than a dozen promi- nent citizens before going to Washington, including the Gov- ernor and Chief Justice, that the Douglass House was beyond all question the legal House, had an opinion telegraphed, from which we take the following bit of political demagog}' unworthy a United States senator: I am not at all astonished at the finding of the Supreme Court — not that I believe the decision correct, for, on the contrary, I believe it to be radically wrongs In my judgment, the opinion delivered by Judge Allen is clearly the law in the case, and it is substantially sustained by decisions of the Supreme Courts of Indiana and Ohio, and in many similar cases. But, unfortunately, the Supreme Court judges are men with like infirmities with other people, and when political questions are involved their decisions in nine cases out of ten are made to meet the demands of political conditions, instead of being a clean-cut and fair exposition of the law of the case. You see, my dear Governor, we are pasting bits of history together at this time that wilMje useful hereafter. You and your party will want to get away from this record after the people have had time to take a good look at it and to realize which way your crew was heading the ship of state. Yoti don't want law, unless it suits you; you don't want courts, unless their decisions are in favor of Populistic interpretations of the law and the Constitution; and, above all, you don't want the majority to rule, unless you are the majoritv. I see that your "General" Artz, whose battles LETTEkS TO (.;()\'lik\()R LhlWELUNC. (« prior to the recent war were fought in a Colorado court against disbarment for perjury has been giving ovX the administration war policy. When I remember the hasty exit of your war secre- tary from our neighboring State, and his rapid promotion after a few months' residence in Kansas, I am reminded of the aged, moss-covered story of the boy who urged his father to come west: "Come west, dad; d — d mean men get office out here." We take the following from the General's interview : Men are drilling'all over Kansas to-da3'. Not with guns, — they haven't got them yet,— but they are being drilled in the facings and marching, and they will be drilled with the guns when they are ready for them. The law does not prevent the organization of an unlimited number of military com- panies, who can arm themselves independent of the State, and this is being done to-day ; the people are in earnest. My dear Governor, this would be a good day for you to shut off the stream of place-hunters, advisers, fixers, and revolutionary idiots, and retire to some quiet place where you can take a large think all by yourself. Don't you see that the law-abiding, peace- loving citizens of Kansas have no occasion to go into military companies and be armed and drilled? What will they do this for? In what coiinty is there necessity for armed men? What does this fellow Artz mean by this sort of inflammatory nonsense about "the people" being in earnest? Who are "the people" ? Does he speak for the 150,000 Republicans? does he speak for the 50,000 Democrats? or has he even authority to talk that sort of treason- able rot for the 110,000 Populist voters? This kind of villain- ous talk is quoted all over the country to show that property and life are not safe in Kansas. I believe. Governor, that if you suc- ceed in having a private interview with yourself, you will see the importance of asking the Governor of Colorado to send a requi- sition for Artz. There is another subject. I want to talk a little to you about this morning. Governor, that seems to me to be important to all the people, except possibl}'^ the l.irge number of loafers who attach themselves to the successful party for the same reason that there are camp-followers. What this and every other Western State needs to make it prosperous is a constant increase in popu- lation, and development of resources by incoming capital. Kan- sas has unlimited salt beds, lead deposits, coal fields, water power, and only a part of her rich soil is producing crops. Let us turii from revolution and the drilling of men to building up the business interests of the State. Let tis make the Kansas 64 LRTTERS TO GOl'ERNOR LEWELLING. exhibit at the World's Fair the starting point. We want home- seekers to come to ovir State, bringing with them capital to assist ill the work of making a great and prosperous State. Many of lis have been here for more than thirty years, and this must always be home to ns. The government of the State is not for the office-holders, but for the mass of the people, who pay the taxes, and they ask for such a condition of peace and good order that the tens of thousands of Eastern people seeking homes will not be frightened away from Kansas because of the contention going on in our midst. The State is denied capital to-day because of the unsettled condition of our politics. Men refuse to send their money here to develop enterprises necessary to give life and" vigor to every community, because political war and crankism and anarchy and openly expressed defiance of the courts menace all investment, and as long as these conditions exist times will grow more stringent and property go down in value. There is not a bank or loan company in the State, doing business with outside capitalists, that has not had dozens of letters refusing to place money in Kansas for two years past, or demanding a return as soon as possible of all they have invested in this State. This is no exaggeration. It means wreck and ruin to thousands of people who are in debt. The way out is not by fiat money or anj' other legislative schemes urgedby bankrupt politicians or exper- imental economists. The way out is by developing the State, increasing our population and wealth, raising the standard of our credit, and increasing the demand for our lands and lots at improved legitimate values. This is the real statesmanship demanded in Kansas to-day. It is to these higher, broader, and better considerations I wish to call your attention. Governor Lew- elling. You are the head of the State. People and capital are moving out. You can help, more, than any other man, to stop this movement and turn the tide towards Kansas and give to this grand State, so rich in spleaidid possibilities, new life. To do this we must get rid of the political charlatans who want to help the State by pulling it to pieces. Your party is one of demolition and revenge upon all who have not taken the mystic oath. You belong to an organization built upon the prejudice of one class of citizens against another. It can only live upon keeping alive this hostility and continuing a war upon all interests not recognized in your membership. It was born behind locked doors and darkened windows. It ought LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 65 not to live, because it is not American and it is not republican. For three years these doctrines have been preached in Kansas, and as a result we see men to-day ready to defy the courts, gneer at their decisions, and openly avow their treason, who three years ago could not have done so. To-day the business interests of the State are prostrated because of threatened legislation against capital. The opening of the Cherokee Strip will take thousands from our State. Our name in the East and all aver the West is a reproach. You, sir, at the head of the State for^ two years, can* i not go on as you have begun, without spreading ruin and disas- ter beyond present computation. You have it in your power to serve your adopted State with great honor, if you are large enough to guide the turbulent elements of your party and send the wreckers to the rear. What Kansas needs to-day is not mili- tary organizations to fight her own citizens, not agitators exag- gerating the calamities of our people, not. the medicine of cheap political quacks who promise prosperity by legislation, but honest effort to pay debts with honest money, the advertisement of our advantages as a State, and, once more,i unitedly as one people, going forward and by our own confidence in our State building up the same sentiment abroad. This is the way out for an intelligent, independent, and industrious people., .,.; i., -t . •.. My dear Governor, drop "jingo" politics and give, the State, as business administration, and in doing so make a place- of high honor for yourself. 66 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. TO GOVERNOR LBWELLING. Letter No. 14. ToPEKA, Kas., March 12, 1893. 3Iy dear Governor: It is with more than ordinary pleasure that I congratulate you and the State upon the close of the legis- lative session that has brought so much grief to your party and such infinite harm to Kansas. You have made a record that, unfortunately, cannot die. The melancholy hours of retrospec- tion have come, the saddest (to the bombastes furioso in politics) of all the year. As we sit here, this bright, sunny morning, turning over the pages of recent history, how boldly accusing the many blunders of your brief politico-military reign stand out from among your weak attempts to be a leader and the founder of a new revolution. How distinct in this look back- ward are the acts of statesmanship you failed to perform, the sentiments of patriotism you forgot to utter, and the just rebuke of lawlessness that died, in your soul before it was born. In the minds of men who wear the purple of power, the poignant regrets for opportunities lost, for bad advice followed, and! for inherent weakness displayed when strength was most needed, outweigh all the glory and blandishments of place. You remember that in yjur inaugural address delivered just before you took the solemn oath of your high office on January 9th, an address that sugar-coated the deep-seated principles of anarchy which lie at the base of your party, you stated, in referring to the victory that elevated you, "that conscience is in the saddle." What, my dear Governor, has become of that horse and rider? Conscience never tried to ride that sort of a bronco before, and it was thrown in less than twenty-four hours. You also stated, in that remarkable appeal to the imagination of j^our party, that The grandeur of civilization shall be emphasized by the dawn of a new era, in which the people shall reigu. And, if found necessary, they will expand the powers of the government to solve the enigmas of the times. The people are greater than the law and the statutes, and when a nation sets its heart on doing a great and good thing it can find a legal way to do it. The old may for a time stand in the way of the new, bvit the old must yield. * * The lines rttay waver, but victory is to the new and the true. * '•' The State is greater than party, but the citizen is greater than the State. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. b7 In your peroration, Governor, you tell of a dream you have had of the future, in which you "behold the abolition of poverty." These sentiments, which were kindly loaned you by Mr. Bellamy, belong to the vealy utterances that roused enthusiasm at the Populist picnics and form a large part of the unsubstantial struct- ure of your moonshine politics. By the unthinking these gush- ing platitudes are accepted as the wise axioms of the "new way." The whole structure is based upon the false theory that the peo- ple do not rule this republic. They do rule ; and wherever they do not, it is their fault, anJ not the fault of our form of government. The other false political principle you enunciate is that the people are greater than the law and greater than the State. My dear Governor, the people — not "my people," not the "plain people," but aix the people — are the State, and as lo3'al citizens it is due from them that they at all times be ready to sacrifice property and life for the State's defense and preservation. This is the true relation of the citizen to the State. The laws are the crystallization of the principles of justice and equity to protect the rights and interests of all, from the humblest to the highest, placed upon the statute-books by the will of the people, and, until repealed, must command your respect and obedience, or the foundation of this republican form of government is gone. This lack of the proper interpretation of the sanctity of law forms the basis of Communism, Socialism, and Anarchy, the disciples of which have flocked to j-our new party, hoping that the revolution you and your leaders have advocated would bring paternalism, and thus the freedom absolving them from the duties and respon- sibilities of citizenship. But, my dear sir, your position on the 9th of January on this important pivotal question of the citizen's attitude towards established law was not a new one. On the 5th day of last October, at Ilolton, Kas., in a speech during your can- vass for Governor, you said: When anj' people is confronted by the state of affairs which now exists in America, there are but two ways in which they can free themselves. They may do it peacefully, by means of the ballot-box, or they may rise in their might and overthrow the whole by force of arms. If one method fails, the other must be resorted to. But the first method need not fail. Let the peo- ple act unitedly for their common salvation, and the thing is done. Other- wise anarchy must come. ]\Iy dear Governor, as we look back over the past sixty days and note the temper and sentiments and intent of your various proclamations, this same spirit of defiance to law and determina- 68 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. tion to overthrow legal opposition by force of arms is apparent. You did not, you will remember, decide whether you would obey the mandate of the Supreme Court or not until your caucus decided for you what your dut^^ was to your oath and to the peo- ple of Kansas. Fortunately, you did not have the courage to carry out the wish and will of your party leaders, and Kansas was saved the disgrace of a bloody riot. It must not be forgotten that your utterances are no more treasonable than those of the members of your party. Jerry Simpson, the idolized clown of your aggregation, said from his seat in Congress, April 15, 1892: Private property' in land is doomed. Property in land is as indefensible as property in man. Judge Doster, your First Assistant Governor, said in a speech last year: We have got to give up the individual competitive system. It is coming, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. The antagonism must logic- ally continue to grow ever more intense and irreconcilable, until the work- ers who will then include the entire people, shall own the entire capital, and private ownership of the means of production shall have ceased. Hon. John G. Otis, of this city, who is one of the ablest and most thoroughly conscientious men in your party, elected as your congressman for the two years just expired, said in Topeka. August 20, 1892 : Great wrongs have been perpetrated by plutocracy against the people. They will be righted soon by the ballot or by the bullet. Unless the govern- ment takes hold and the people rule, nothing can avert a war in this coun- try more terrible than the world has ever known. Senator William A. PefFer, elected United States senator from Kansas for six 3'ears in January, 1891, said in a speech at Wichita, September 15, 1891 : I told the people of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania that they had fastened on our homes an indebtedness which, unless there is a change in our financial system, we can never paj'. We can't pay without money. We want money ! and we mean to turn our tongues into bludgeons, our t)lows itito muskets, and our ballots into bullets. I told ttieni we were not repudi- ators, but that we jnust have money from the government to pay our debts. As you know I could quote a volume of similar treasonable utterances from the leaders of your party if desired. What I offer in evidence above is to show that you are all imbued with the same revolutionary spirit. You are no worse than j'our party. Governor, and, unfortunately for the State, you are no better. The lowest prejudices of the human heart have been appealed to and every device of language used to fire the hearts J JITTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLIXG. G!) of farmers and laboring men against men of other professions. Your party has been built upon class prejudice, by exaggerating conditions and misfortunes, and arousing intense and bitter hostility to the party that has been in power in this State unin- terruptedly for thirty years. These teachings culminated in the effort of the minority, backed by you and your power and that of the Senate, to control the lower House, The disgraceful scenes of the week ending February i8th, in which you undertook to use the military power to support the usurpation of your party, were but the logical sequences of your teachings. Later on, the long hours of heated discussion in caucus as to whether or not the decision of the Supreme Court should be respected, the willingness of the Populist majority of the Senate to join a rebellion against the court, and your own lack of patriotism and courage to express an opinion without the consent of the caucus, were most humiliating examples to Kansas of the growth and influence of your anarchistic teachings. And now, my dear Governor, as we look back over the past three years, and more particularly as we examine closely the past two months of history here at the capital, and remember the large promises in your platforms and speeches, we ask: What is there in the record to commend your party to the confi- dence of the people? What have the members of Congress done but to make themselves ridiculous before the country by intro- ducing bills that never reached serious consideration even by a committee? Here in Klansas, what has the Populist party done in three 3'ears, for the school districts, for the counties, for the State, or for the homes of the people ? In what way have you given one man or woman more labor or better pay, where have you lessened taxes, reduced expenses, created a new enterprise, or drawn a single new home-seeker to the State? Have you reduced the rate of interest or made it easier for a man to pay a mortgage? In what way has the Populist party since it was born added to the growth and prosperity of the State or the happiness of the people? What improvement in morals, what assistance in education or benevolence, has your party aff"orded ? On the other hand, with this political craze you have brought unrest, dissatis- faction, and the hostility and rancor of embittered prejudices between neighbors and friends. You have raised false expecta- tions as to financial relief by legislation, prevented hundreds of thousands of dollars from coming to Kansas, caused capitalists to 70 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. demand the immediate payment of immense sums of money due and coming due on mortgages, stopped the development of the State, and paralyzed business that should be more prosperous here than in any other State in the Union because of our great crops. Your party, by its dismal wails of calamity, has kept thousands of home-seekers away from our State ; but, more than all this, you have sown broadcast the seeds of disloyalty to the laws, a contempt for the courts, and an unsound idea of citizenship. Here, in the record of your party in the Legislature, it is shown that you have whittled down the salaries of laboring men in the public institutions and have stood ready to cripple the public service while seeking to create new offices with which to satisfy an army of place-hunters. You have cried aloud against the corruption of the Republican party that has administered the affairs of the State with ability and fidelity to the people's inter- ests. In an administration only sixty days old you have brought more disgrace upon the good name of the State, and greater scandals regarding "boodling" corruption, than the State has known since it was born, the first child of the first Republican administration in 1861. My dear Governor, look over the indictment and tell the world why your party should live. Your party of 100,000 voters came into power b}' the aid of 60,000 Democratic votes. Over 150,000 Republican voters placed their protest against your fiat principles and your misrepresentation of Kansas. Without Democratic help, my dear sir, you and all the other Populist State officers would, in company with a large majority of the members your party elected to the Senate and House, be still holding secret meetings to denounce the white slavery of farmers of Kansas and the awful corruption of the old parties. The record of your maladmiuistratioai is before the world. The broken pledges of your party to the people can not be covered up. We go to the voters of Kansas for their verdict. I believe they will say to j'ou, my idear Governor, in tones that will arouse even your self- complacency, that 64 is greater than 58, and that treason in Kansas is as dangerous in 1893 as it was in South Carolina in 1861. My dear Governor, did you hear the great Republican shout that went up from the representatives of the law-and-order party all day and until nearly midnight on Frida)-? Did these earnest, patriotic speeches, representing the fire and vigor and principles of Republicanism, reach the executive chamber? The Republi- LETTERS TO COI'ERXOR LE'lVELLIiXG, 71 can League delegates, fresh from the people, came here to assure the gallant Republicans of the Senate and House that their splendid fight for constitutional principles and the supremacy of law was appreciated by a grateful people. Your party stands challenged to meet Republican soldiers in the valleys and on the prairies to discuss the failures and treason of Populism. The case is made up. It now goes to the jury — the people. Repub. licans may be proud of the record of their senators and repre- sentatives. The issues of the campaign of 1893 and 1894 are plain and distinct, and I believe the verdict will be an endorse- ment of that loyalty to State and country, that defense of law an^ order, characteristic of the intelligence and patriotism of the people of Kansas. My dear Governor, I have endeavored to faithfully chronicle the progress and results of your young administration. I have given the revolutionary' features of j'our party close and accurate observation during the past three years. As Senator Jumper, the Duncan of Pumpkin of this Legislature, has remarked with much vernal iusistenc}-, " the time has come for us farmers to sow our oats," and much as I regret to close this correspondence, which has been a source of great pleasure to me -and no doubt of unusual profit to you, I must with this letter say good-bye. I hope that when you have repaired the fortifications surrounding the State-House, and secured a new spinal column for your new administration, and feel that j'ou can trust General Artz in his gorgeous new uniform with the care of the Gatling gun, you will come out to Highland Park and have a good country dinner with me. I promise you no questions shall be asked about your next military campaign, nor of the relation of Close and Little to Pete Kline. If the Legislature had not, amid the plaudits of the mul- titude, written sine die over its tombstone last night, I should, with that freedom which may be assumed by an old friend, have urged you to create a new office — namely. Keeper of the Admin- istration Conscience ; and then I know you would have pardoned me for asking the first and possibly the only favor of your Duke- ship, the appointment to this newly created office of that great and good Populist who exposed the villainies m the old Repub- lican party last year in his masterful manner. You no doubt guess the name of the patriot I refer to for this responsible office — tke Hon, James F. Legate. Yoii can almost hear the shouts of the multitude in the forum saying : "How just ! how appropri- 72 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WE LUNG, fite! lyOi^g live Citizen I^egate! All hail to the Duke of Iowa, ,J<,^welliug I,, of Kansas!" Don't wait for a further and more jprmal invitation, but come out, Governor, and we will throw ,;a,side the responsibilities of state and go down to the classic , ,'^akarusa,^ and, while w^aitiug for a nibble from the shy and ,f^luctant catfish, talk over, as great men do at such times, the 4iffic^ulties we both have in directing an unregenerate and kick- ing world. Not Sockleis, LETTERS TO c;0]-ERyOR LEWELLIXG 78 BRIEF CHRONOIvOGICAL HKSTORY OF THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE OF 1893. Monday, January 9.— Loralne D. jewelling inaugurated Gov- ernor. Representative Hall finely decorated. Jno. W. Breiden- thal, chairman of People's party State Committee, presided at inaugural ceremonies. Retiring Governor L. U. Humphrey delivered a short and eloquent address, closing by introducing "my honored and worthy successor." After the inaugural address of Governor Lewelling, the oath of office was adminis- tered by Chief Justice Horton. Percy Daniels, of Crawford County, was sworn in as Lieutenant-Governor; Stephen H. Allen, of Linn County, as Associate Justice of Supreme Court; R. S. Osborn, of Rooks County, as Secretary of State; Van B. Prather, of Crawford County, as Auditor; W. H. Biddle, of Butler County, as Treasurer; Jno. T. Little, of Johnson County, as Attor- ney-General ; H. N.Gaines, of Saline County, as Superintendent of Public Instruction. At 7:30 P.M. an immense audience met in Representative Hall to hold a People's party love-feast. Speeches were made by Mrs. Lease, Jerry Simpson, Rev. Todd, Mrs. Diggs, Judge Doster, Associate Justice Allen, and G. C. Clemens. Caucus of Republican members was held. For Speaker, Douglass received 31 votes, Hoch 26, Cubbison 4. Mr. Douglass was declared the nominee. Frank L. Brown was nominated for chief clerk, C. C. Clevenger for sergeant-at-arms. The three Democrats of the House, Chambers, Meagher, and Rosenthal, decide not to go into either Republican or Populist caucuses. Tuesday , January 10. — At 10 o'clock the Republican members of the House, 63 in number, headed by Hon. J. M. Simpson, chairmain of the Republican State Central Committee, entered Representative Hall. The Democratic members, Meagher, Cham- bers, and Rosenthal, were present, but not acting with either side. Mr. Stubbs, who was wrongly counted in, was present, but didi not participate in the proceedings. The Populist members were all in the hall by 12:30. Hall, galleries, and all available space crowded by citizens from all over Kansas. At 12:40 Secretary of State Osborn appeared with the roll of members. He called the members to order and stated that the law made it his duty to lay before the House of Representatives a list of members as ascertained from the Secretary's office, and that he had no right to assume the authority of a presiding officer, and that he would not so act except by unanimous con- sent. Mr. iDouglass, Republican caucus nominee for Speaker, 74 LETTERS TO COl'ERXOR LEWELUKG. objected to the Secretary of State acting as a presiding officer Mr. Duusmore, who had [been nominated for Speaker by the Populists, claimed that the Secretary of State had the right to act as a presiding officer until it was determined who composed the constitutional majority. After some discussion by both parties, the Republicans occupying the south side and the Pop- ulists the north side of the Hall of Representatives, Secretary of State Osborn stated that he was in the hall in the ministerial capacity of Secretary of State, to lay the roll before the House, and when he was assured that the House had a presiding officer to receive the roll, he would present it. At the close of this state- ment Mr. Osborn left the hall. Mr. Semple, Populist, walked hurriedly up to the Speaker's desk and took possession ot the gavel. Mr. Douglass moved that Mr. Cubbison act as temporary Speaker. The motion was carried with a rush, and Mr. Cubbison was at the side of Mr. Semple within a moment after he had grasped the gavel. Calling the House to order, without an instant's delay the Republicans made Major Remington tempo- rary chief clerk, and C. C. Clevenger was elected sergeant-at- arms. The rules of the last House were adopted, and Represent- ative Warner furnished a certified roll of the members from the Secretary of State's office, from which the temporary clerk pro- ceeded, amidst great noise and confusion, to call the roll. All this was done so quickly as to momentarily daze the Populists, who had expected to control the organization through the Sec- retary of State. Members were sworn in and Geo. L. Douglass elected Speaker, while the Populists formed a temporary organ- ization by electing -vV. H. Ryan temporary Speaker and A. H. Lupfer temporary chief clerk. Secretary of State Osborn ap- peared and gave the roll to Mr. Ryan. The Populists pro- ceeded to elect Mr. J. M. Dunsmore permanent Speaker, Ben C. Rich chief clerk, and Leroy P\ Dick sergeant-at-arms. Both Speakers occupied the same desk, and two sets of officers were doing duty as clerk and assistant. Amidst the greatest confusion and uproar, the roll of Secretary of State Osborn was changed by Ben C. Rich upon the order of Speaker Dunsmore. Mr. Rich dropped the ten Republican certificated members from the roll and substituted the ten Populists who contested their seats. This action was prior to the first roll-call, before the organiza- tion was perfected, and these ten citizens, without evidence of election, took the oath and acted as bonajide members up to the time the Supreme Court decided the Douglass House to be the legal House. Committees were sent to the Governor from both bodies, announcing the organization of the House. P'rom the beginning the Populists had but 58 certificated members as shown by the roll of the Populist Secretary of State, and the Republicans had 63, there being also l Independent and 3 Democrats, making in all 125 constitutional members of the House. After the organization of both Houses in this manner, little business was attempted, except the notification of the Sen- ate by the Populists that the House was organized and ready for LETTERS TO GOVEkWOR LEWELLIXC. 7.1 business. The two Houses remained in session all night, the officers remaining at their posts. While the excitement was intense and great earnestness was manifested on both fides, there was no violence, and good humor prevailed throughout the night. Both sides were fed by friends, sandwiches, pies, and coffee being provided. The Senate, Lieutenant-Governor Daniels presiding, com- posed of 25 Populists and 15 Republicans, was organized by electing Populists to every subordinate position. Senator King, of Cowley County, was elected President /ro tem. Wednesday , January w. — A Conference Committee was agreed upon, consisting of the following: Republicans, Chairman J. M. Simpson, of the State Committee, Eugene F. Ware, Cyrus Lefand, J. R. Burton, and Col. R. W. Blue; Democrats, Chairman W. C. Jones, Tully Scott, John Hannon, J. W. Orr, and Fred Bentley; Populists, Chairman Breidenthal, of the State Committee, Jerry Simpson, JudgeDoster, and Col. W. A. Harris- This committee remained in session until late Thursday night, trying to arrive at a satisfactory basis of sfettlement of the legis- lative differences, but without reaching any mutual conclusion. A committee of prominent members of both sides, aided by prominent leaders, held a meeting during the day and agreed upon terms for a recess of both Houses, the terms being that the situation should remain unchanged, both sides to be allowed to take their places on the following day without opposition. At 2 o'clock p. M. motions were made and carried on each side for a recess until 9 A. Jr. Thursday. The members had been in the hall for twentv-six hours. Efforts continued during the day for a solution of the problem. A committee of citizens, consisting of Senator Perkins, ex-Governor Humphrej^, Col. D. R. Anthony, General Bradford, ex-State Senator Schilling, and Major J. K. Hudson,waited upon the Governor to urge him to use his influence to bring about the settlement of the differences. An address detailing the factsof the organization of the House was presented to the Governor, signed by the sixty-four Republican members constituting the Douglass House. It was shown clearly that the Populist or Dimsmore House had but fifty-eight legal members, and that sixty-four certificated members organized the Douglass House which entitled it to recognition as the legal House. The Senate refused to recognize the chief clerks of both Houses. Thursdayy January \i. — The three Democratic members of the Hause, Meagher, Rosenthal, and Chambers, addressed Speaker Douglass and gave their reasons for recognizing him as the Speaker of the legal House amidst cheers of Republicans. Gov- ernor Lewelling addressed a message to "J. M. Dunsmore, Speaker of the House of Representatives," thus formally recog- nizing the minority of fifty-eight as the legal House, amidst great cheering from the Populists. In the Senate the Populists, on motion of Householder, endeavored to drop the investigation of the organization of the House, which had been begun by a committee of nine senators. 76 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. Friday, January 13. — Governor Lewelling asked for a cou- ference with a committee of Republican members, consisting of Hoch, Cubbison, Lobdell, Atherton, Seaton, and Remington, which conference was without result. Jerr}' Simpson, who was on the floor of the House, said to Chairman Jones, of the Demo- cratic State Committee, " We want nothing more to do with your crowd," to which Col. Jones replied, " We are quite ready to quit you." The Dunsmore Hoiise was recognized in the morning session by the Senate, after a heated discussion and ag'ainst the protests of Republicans. Senator Taylor, Populist, of Wyan- dotte, and Senator O'Bryan, Democrat, of Wichita, also made pro- tests against the recognition of the minority House. Great mass-meeting at the Grand Opera House to protest against the revolutionary methods of the Populists, which was addressed by David Overmeyer, W. H. Rossiugton, Douglass, Cubbison, A. A. Harris, Joseph Lowe, Joe Ady, and Col. D. R. Anthony. Popu- lists held a mass-meeting addressed by Legate, Artz, Clemens,. Judge Allen, and others, in defense of the Populist House. Re- publican, Populist, and Democratic Conference Committees, after a session of fourteen hours, failed to agree upon a plan of com- promise or settlement. Saturday , January 14. — Rumors were current that, owing to the recognition of the Dunsmore House by the Governor and the Senate, an effort would be made by the Populists to forciDlj' eject Speaker Douglass and of&cers of the legal House. Shortly after both Houses had convened, Speaker Douglass rose and said: Gentlemen of the Hojtse: Allow yourselves no uneasiness. The Almighty has wisely reserved the powers of creation to himself alone. All the powers on earth — senates and governors included— canuut make sixty-three men out of fifty-eight [cheers]; and in every free representative body in the world the majority governs. [Renewed cheering.] The principle of self- government is on trial in Kansas to-day as it was once years ago. But it . triumphed then and it will triumph now. [Loud applause.] The friends of the Constitution and the laws will soon stand as one man in Kansas, regard- less of parties The constitutional House of Representatives, with sixtj- seven lawful members, is here and read5- for business; and here it will remain, unterrified and unawed. [Great applause.] What is the further pleasure of the House ? To this Mr. Dunsmore made a spirited reply, closing by saying: We will find strictly lawful methods to accomplish oiir ends. I earn- estly pray that before reassembling some scheme may be devised by which our troubles may be settled. Mr. Cobun, Populist, of Barton County, moved that the House adjourn until 4 P. M., at which time both Houses should come together in secret session, free from all outside influence, and endeavor to settle the differences. This proposition was agreed to, and the two Houses met in conference, but failed to reach an amicable settlement. The Republican members issued an address to the people of the State, fully and clearly setting forth the position and claims of the legal majority. The Senate adopted a concurrent resolution, which formally recognized the Dunsmore House. Monday, January 16. — The two Houses met at 4 p. m. Com- mittees appointed by both Houses to confer, consisting of LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. Ti Warner, Seaton, and Troutman, Republicans, and Cobun, Camp- bell, and R}-an, Populists. At 5:20 the meeting adjourned to 8 p. M., to await the report of the committee. Republicans held caucus on State printer, and nominated Geo. W. Crane. In the Populist caucus Mr. Edwin H. Snow received the nomination. Governor Lewelling, in an interview, defended the Dunsmore organization. Tuesday, January 17. — The joint committee of the two Houses reported that, after a long and dispassionate discussion of the situation, they had failed to agree upon a method of settlement. Populists failed to meet to vote on a State printer. The Repub- licans met in joint session and cast 79 votes for Geo. W. Crane. In the Senate the Governor's message was received. Populist Chaplain Todd, of the House, thanked God that there was a stalwart Spartan band ready to do its 'duty, and implored the Almighty to give the other side that breadth of vision and charity for others that would enable them to see and do the right. Wednesday, January 18. — Governor Lewelling issued an address showing the Populist side of the questions involved in the organization of the Dunsmore House, to which the Repub- licans, through Speaker Douglass and iSpeaker pro tcin. Hoch, replied. Republicans again ballot, for State printer, Geo. W. Crane receiving 79 votes. Senatorial caucus held by Republicans resulting in Perkins 32, Ady 30, Lucien Baker 11. In the Senate, committees were announced by President Daniels, Republicans, disclosed the fact that the law had not been complied with by the Populists in their contest cases against Republicans. The double House continues to do business without change. Thursday, January 19. — In the Republican senatorial caucus no vote was taken. No change in the position of the two Houses. Both, by agreement, take a recess from day to day, awaiting some compromise or a settlement of the questions in the Supreme Court. No change in vote' for State printer. The Senate again discusses the contest cases. Senator Leedy introduces a bill abolishing the Supreme Court Commissioners. In their stead he divides the State into five districts, and sug- gests an appellate judge for each district. Friday, January 20. — Senator Perkins returned to "Washing- ton. Populist House unseated seven Republicans, which, how- ever, has no effect on the legal House. No change in the position of the two Houses. Vote on State piinter remains the same. The Populist majority of the Senate determine to go on with contest cases against Republican members, regardless of the fact that the law was not complied with. Saturday , January 21. — Mrs. Lease spent the greater part of the day canvassing members against Judge John Martin for the Senate. Populists introduced a large number of bills in the Dunsmore House. Short session by the Douglass House, adjourn- ing until Monday at 4 p. m. Populists adjourned till 2 p. m. Mon- day. In the Senate the Populists take the position that no minority reports should appear in the journal, except by consent 78 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. of the Senate, which means that Republicans will not be per- mitted to print, in protests and minority reports, the character of the Legislation that passes through Populist committees, or that may be passed by the Populist majority of the Senate. Adjourned until 2 P. M. Monday. Governor Le welling issues another proclamation through the Kansas City Mail. Mondays January 23. — Republican caucus for United States senator resulted in the nomination of Hon. J. W. Ady. Populist caucus took nine ballots without nominating a candidate. Mitchell of Reno, a Populist, who was defeated by Mr. Dix, became convinced that it was his duty to take a seat he was not elected to. Populists unseat Harry Richter of Morris and Mr. Elting of Ness. The Senate provides each member with a clerk. No change in the situation in the House or in the vote for State printer.. Tuesday, January 24. — Joseph W. Ady, Republican, receives 77 votes in both Houses for United States senator, and B. W. Perkins i. Populists vote as follows : Frank Doster 24, John Martin 15, John W. Breidenthal 25, M. W. Cobun 11, J. D. McCleverty 2, S. S. King 4. Democrats vote as follows : J. D. McCleverty 2, Ed. O'Bryan 2, B. P. Waggener i. Republicans hold another caucus on State printer, and nominate J. K. Hudson, and decide to vote in joint convention on to-morrow for J. W, Ady for United States senator. Populists held a caucus for United States senator, the fourteenth ballot resulting in the nomination of John Martin by the following vote : John Martin 44, Frank Doster 43, A wrangle ensued over the result, and, after hearing speeches from both candidates, another ballot was had at 3 A. M., Martin receiving 49 votes and Doster 35. In the House the Republicans find, upon investigation, that the charges on which the Populists unseated seven Republican members were groundless. Wednesday, January 25. — ^Joint convention for election of United States senator assembled at 12 o'clock, presided over by the President of the Senate, who recognized the Dunsmore House. Judge Martin received 82 Populist votes (10 of which were from fiat members without certificates of election), 3 Democratic and i Independent Republican, 86 in all. Seven Populists refused to vote for Martin because he was a Democrat. Seventy-seven Republican members holding certificates of election and two Democrats did not participate in the election. Judge Martin received 76 votes of members holding certificates of election. The vote in detaii.. The senators who voted for John Martin were : Armstrong, Baldwin, Boiling, Cook, Dennison, Dillard, Dumbauld, Forney, Helm, Helmick, Householder, Jumper, King, Landis, Leeds, Leedy, O'Bryan, Reed, Reiley, Rodgers, Shearer, Smith, Taylor, True. The sixty-two members of the House who voted for Martin were: Barnes, Benefiel, Bone, Brown of Pratt, Brown of Grant LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 78 Burgard, Bucklin, Caster, Chappell, Clark, Cobun, Daugherty, Dolan, Doubleday, Dunsmore, Everly, Garrison, Gest, Goodvin, Graham, Green, Gleason, Grissom, Helm, Hill, Howard of Doniphan, Howard of Shawnee, Helstrom, Humphrey, Kelly of Dickinson, Kenton, Kerr, Lupfer, McCliman, McKinnie, McCon- key, Mitchell, Morrison of Gray, Morrison of Labette, Morris, Moss, Newman, Noble, Pancake, Pritchard, Rosenthal, Rawson, Reploglie, Ryan, Semple, Sekavec, Shellabarger, Tren, Tucker, Watson, Wagoner, White, Whittington, Wilson, Woodworth, Yearick. The Populists who voted for John Martin, and who did not hold certificates of election, are Morrison of Gray, Brown of Grant, Goodvin of Ness, Helstrom of McPherson, White of Morris, Gleason of Greenwood, Shellabarger of Jackson, Howard of Doniphan, Howard of Shawnee, and Mitchell of Reno. Barnett of Jewell voted for Fred J. Close; McAleny of Wyan- dotte voted for Frank Doster; Rice of Coffey voted for W S. Hanna; Wright of Edwards voted for S. H. Snider; Campbell of Stafford voted for Cobun ; Ruble of Sedgwick TOted for Cobun ; and Senator Senn voted for Cobun. After the vote of the Senate had been announced, and before that of the House had been declared, Senator Baker, from the Republican side, asked the privilege of voting as a legal member of the Legislature. President Daniels ruled that the vote was closed, and would not allow Senator Baker's name to be again called. Mr. Ben C. Rich, the Dunsmore clerk, then gave the result of the House vote, and President Daniels announced that John Martin, having received the majority of the votes of the joint assembly, is duly declared elected to the United States Senate. As soon as the Populist election was over, Senator Baker offered a resolution reciting the fact that the election of a United States Senator had been participated in by persons not legally members, and therefore moved that Geo. L. Douglass be elected President of the joint assembly, and that the legal members pro- ceed to elect a United States Senator. Senator Brown was elected secretary. Upon a call of the roll, seventj'-seven certifi- cated members voted for Jos. W. Ady, being one more than was received by Judge Martin. There being no legal quorum present, the joint convention adjourned to meet again at 12 o'clock on Thursday. No change in the vote on State printer. Middle-of- the-road Populists very indignant over the election of a straight Democrat to the U. S. Senate. Thursday, January 2(i. — Republicans meet in joint assembly; seventy-eight Republicans present, lacking three of a quorum ; it was resolved to forward a formal and emphatic protest against the election of Judge Martin as LTnited States senator by the aid of an illegal House and with only seventy-six certificated mem- bers voting for him. Populist majority confirm S. W. Chase warden of the Penitentiarj-. Friday, January 27. — Gen. Weaver, late People's party candi- date for President, asked to address the House. E. H. Snow re- 80 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. elected State printer, eighty-three certificated members voting for him. The irregularity of the organization of the Dunsmore House which assisted in electing Mr. Snow casts doubt upon his election being strictly legal. Campbell, of Stafford, Populist, protested against the delays, and urges Populists to submit the questions to the courts. Populists in the Senate endeavor to keep resolutions that do not pass outof the journal, which would also prevent any expression of Republicans not satisfactory to the Populists from becoming part of the official record. Saturday , January 28. — No change in the attitude of the two Houses. The Populists are determined, if possible, to keep out of the courts. Speaker Dunsmore said: "There is no reason why we should go into the Supreme Court. Having been rec- ognized by the Governor and Senate, we are the legal House." This is the sentiment and position of the Populists regarding the differences between the two Houses. In the committee of con- ference of members Mr. Campbell said further discussion was useless. Col. Warner, Republican, then offered the following resolution : Resolved, That we make up a case by consent and take it to the Supreme Court, testing the legality of the respective Houses. The motion was lost. Ayes, Seatou, Troutman, and Warner; nays, Ryan, Campbell, and Cobun. The statement is signed by Alexander Warner, John Seaton, and James Troutman. Monday, January 30.— Both Houses resume business as usual late in the afternoon. The feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction over the foolish attitude continues to grow more intense on both sides. Speaker Douglass made a spirited speech, reiterating the firm determination of the Republicans to stand for their consti- tutional rights. Tuesday, January 31. — The important event of the day in the House was the reading of the correspondence between Mr. Duns- more and Speaker Douglass, which presents the claims of each side. We give it in full : MR. dunsmorE'S letter. House of REPRESENiATrvES. Tanuary 30, 1893. Hon. Geo. L. Douglass. My dear Sir, — As, by the election of a Unitea States senator and State printer, the political reasons for obstruction in the House of Representa- tives no longer exist, I can conceive of no justifiable excuse for yout» refusal to recognize the authority of the Executive, the Senate, and the House of Representatives as now constituted; as a goo'd lawyer, you are doubtless aware of the fact (if you have taken the trouble to inform your- self in relation to the facts and have consulted the journals of the House) that the present status between the executive and the legislative depart- ments cannot be disturbed or annulled by the authority of any other tribunal, unless such tribunal should attempt to exercise a power not granted by the Constitution and the law ; and that the only possible reason for continued obstruction now existing, either to j'our party or personal to yourself, is the hope that, by legal quibbling, the law's delay, and the favors of a partisan court, the Republican party, or at least its managers and representatives of railroad a«nd other corporate interests, may prevent the legislation that the people demand at our hands. Every well-informed man in Kansas is aware that the railroads and other corporate managers in this State are behind you, promoting and directing the action of your party to block the wheels of legislation, even LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEIVELLING. 81 going so far, I am informed by good authority, as to advance the pay you and other Republicans receive through one of the banks of this city, closely connected with certain railroad interests. If, as you profess, you desire the legislation required by the debt- burdened people of Kansas, is it not about time that you give evidence of that fact by recognizing the executive and legislative authorities now work- ing in harmony? The experience of the last session should convince you that the legislation required can only be obtained by political union between the House of Representatives and the SenBte. Upon this union depends, in a great measure, the possibility of legislation in favor of the World's Fair, and many public institutions throughout the State, and espe- cially along the line of railroad control. Two years ago it was the Republican Senate against the opposition House. Many now desire a Republican House against an opposition Senate. In either case the result must be the same. As but a few committees have been appointed by me, opportunities still exist for an adjustment of the present trouble in a manner favorable to all concerned ; and to that end I would be pleased to receive and consider any proposition you may deem proper to make, either verbally or in writing, that does not bring into ques- tion the integrity of the Legislature as uow organized and the acts of the Executive in relation thereto. If no such adjustment can be made, we vnW be under the necessity of promptly proceeding to business without the valuable aid and advice of yourself and political friends, and let the people of Kansas judge between us. With assurance of my personal regard, I am very truly j'ours, J. 11. DuxsMORE, Speaker. THE REPLY OF SPEAKER DOUGLASS. Speaker Douglass then read his reply to Mr. Dunsmore, as follows : House of Representatives, Topeka, January 31, 1893. Hon. J. M. Dunsyiiore: Dear Sir,— I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday, and iu reply thereto I beg leave to say : On the loth day of this month, after the majority of the duly elected members of the House of Representatives had organized the House and elected a Speaker and other officers, a minority of fift3'-eight members-elect proceeded to organize another body, which also calls itself the House of Representatives. As these fifty-eight members-elect were five less than a quorum and absolutely powerless to perform any act, the official roll was obtained, and there in the broad daylight, before the ej'es of hundreds, the names of ten members chosen by the people were scratched out and in their stead were inserted the names of ten other persons who were not elected, and some of whom had been defeated at the polls by majorities of Irom 500 to 1,000 votes. This was done by Ben C. Rich, without any adjudication of the contests by any tribunal whatsoever ; and, upon the call of this forged roll, and with the aid of these ten persons (whose only claim to seats was that they had served notice of a contest upon the members whose election had been regularly ascertained and certified by the proper officers), the body over which you preside was organized. The majority at its organization chose me as its Speaker, and of the members who participated in that day's proceedings, sixty-four voted for me as Speaker, and three others on the 12th day of January took their seats in the lawful House of Representatives and have since uniformly adhered, and still do adhere, to it as the only House of Representatives known to the Constitution and the laws. If the proceedings by means of which the body over which you preside was orsjanized should ever be acquiesced in by the people of Kansas, it would be the end of regular, orderly, and constitutional government in this commonwealth. The fact that the Governor and a majority of the Senate have so far suc- cumbed to the pressure of partisan considerations as to countenance such a proceeding, in no wise changes the fact, except as it intensifies the obligation and emphasizes the duty of all law-abiding citizens to protest against it. Such countenance by the Executive and the Senate cannot anni- hilate or destroy the legal and constitutional House of Representatives chosen by the people to do the people's will. The powers of the Executive 82 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. and the Senate are many and great, but the power to perform miracles Is not one of them; and, despite all assertions to the contrary, it remains true that they are powerless to either create a majority out of a minority, or to destroy by their fiat the constitutional and lawful body of the representa- tives of the people. ' ' I take issue with your assumption that the courts have no power to determine whether an alleged act of the Legislature was ever in fact passed by the Legislature of the State or by some other body. The prime duty of the courts, where the validity of a statute is called in question, is to ascer- tain whether the constitutional requirements have been observed in its passage; and if they find that, instead of such observance, the Constitution has been trampled under foot, and that the alleged act has not been passed by the lawfu' House, but by a usurping body, it is the highest duty of the courts to so declare. Such declaration, far from being an evidence of parti- sanship, would be a mark of that inte^'rity, fidelity, and devotion to duty which characterizes the American judiciary. It is true that the constitutional House of Representatives cannot legis- late without the concurrence of the Senate, and it is equally true that the minority body over which you preside cannot efiectively legislate even with such concurrence. It is also apparent to every thinking man that any attempt to so legis- late must, in the course of a few weeks' time, come under the final review of the courts; and, if the determination by the courts of the questions involved should be in accordance with what I have no doubt to be the law, it will ultimately necessitate an extra session of the Legislature, with the attendant expense and burden upon the people. Under such circumstances, it would seem to be the part of wisdom for men desirous of the public good to make up a case for the highest court at the earliest possible moment, and set the matter at rest within a few days' time. The law will in the end prevail. No men areas yet above the law in Kansas, however much they may desire to be; and the law-abiding people of our State will in the long run sustain the public servant who, regardless of temporary and partisan considerations, respects and obeys the law. Regard for law is the bulwark of free institutions. If the law be defective, as some of our statutes unfortunately are, it is our duty as legislators not to override and overthrow the law, but to patriotically set about remedying its defects. Your intimation that, in defending the rights of the constitutional body of which I am the Speaker, I may be influenced by personal motives, and that I desire to prevent legislation demanded by the people, is an unworthy imputation which I must leave those who know me best to answer. In like manner I notice, but pass without comment, the unworthj^ reflection upon the integrity and character of the Democratic and Republican members oi the lawful House of Representatives involved in your assertion that in this struggle for law and order they are prompted and directed by the railroads and other corporations. You will yourself recognize the peculiar impro- priety of this when I recall to you the fact that, on the 12th day of this nionth, after conferring with many of the members of the House, I ofl!"ered (in event of the then proposed adjustment of our difficulties) to give not only a large number of leading committees to the members of the People's party, but also to give them the chairmanship and full control of the railroad committee. I have always been ready, and still am, to confer with yourself or any member with a view to securing an honorable adjustment of the present difficulties, to the end that legislation may proceed; but any adjustment ■which involves assent to the extraordinary and revolutionarj; methods whereby the body over which you preside was organized, is and will remain an impossibility. The members of the lawful House of Representatives purpose to main- tain to the end the laws and Constitution of Kansas. They are willing to negotiate upon matters of less moment, but they will never sacrifice their obligations to the State and the people they represent. World's Fair bills and other legislation are as much desired by them as by yourself; but beyond and above all else their duty is to preserve, to the full limit of their power, the principle of constitutional liberty which is now at stake. Let there be no misunderstanding, therefore, as to their position. With the best of personal feeling, I beg leave to assure you that the constitu- LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 83 tional House of Representatives is here to perform the high duties entrusted to it by the people, and here it will remain. Very respectfully yours, Geo. L,. Douglass, Speaker. Wednesday, February i. — Both Houses continue as heretofore giving attention to routine matters of no special importance. Thursday, February 2. — The first bill to pass the Douglass House was the World's Fair bill. Speaker Douglass's bill for the purity of elections was also passed. The double House continues. Friday, February 3. — Greenlee of Reno offered a strong ?rotest against the revolutionary obstruction by the minority, he Judiciary Committee in the Senate reported a joint resolu- tion to submit the question of intending suffrage to women. The Douglass House adjourned to Monday at 4 p. M. Saturday, February 4. — The Populist House was in session two hours, and adjourned to Monday at 3 p. m. Monday, February 6. — Short and ttneventful sessions in the House and Senate. Tuesday, February 7. — Usual routine business in both Houses and Senate. The situation unchanged between the Douglass and Dunsmore Houses. Wednesday, February 8. — The Dunsmore House takes up the legislative appropriation bill. Thursday, February 9. — Seatou of Atchison introduces reso- lutions giving Populists an opportunity to take their seats in the legal House up to February 2ist, after which d .te they will be declared vacant. The Populist Revision Committee report anew journal, changing the status of the fiat members. At first thej' were claimed and voted as (5o«« fide members; this new report gives them the privileges of members "pending proper determi- nation of their claims." Friday, February 10. — An investigation of Biddle's bond by Col. Warner's resolution. The original journal of the Populist House being doctored by the Revision Committee. Tariff question in the Senate. No change in the status of the two Houses. The Douglass House adjourned to Monday at 4 p. M. Saturday, February 11. — The Populist House in session, dis- cussing interest rates. Monday, February 13. — Mr. Chambers, of the Election Com- mittee, reported that L. C. Gunn, of Linn County, refused to obey a subpoena of the legal House, and asked resolution that the sergeant-at-arms be required to issue his warrant for the arrest of Mr. Gunn for contempt. The resolution passed, and Mr. Clevenger, sergeaut-at-arms, proceeded at once to arrest Mr. Gunn. Tuesday, February 14. — -The following resolution for the arrest of Ben C. Rich, chief clerk of the Dunsmore House, was introduced by Mr. Hoch and carried: Whereas, One Ben C. Rich, for a number of daj'slast past, and during the present session of this, the House of Representatives, and in the pres- ence of said House, has continually interrupted the regular proceedings of the House by loud and boisterous language and unlavi-ful and unusual noises without legal excuse or justification, and without claim or pretense that the same was a part of or connected with the proceeding of the House 84 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WE LUNG. of Representatives, and such conduct has been and still is being indulged and persisted in by said Ben C. Rich^in open, malicious, and willful defiance and derision of the rules and authority of the House of Representatives ; and Whereas, Such conduct has greatly interrupted aud interfered with the transaction of public business by this House, and has impeded and still impedes necessary legislation in the interest of the people of the State of Kansas, thereby bringing the authority and dignity of the House of Rep- resentatives into disrepute ; therefore be it Resolved, That by the said action and conduct of the said Ben C. Rich, he has been and is guilty of contempt of this House, and the Speaker is hereby authorized and directed to cause said Ben C. Rich to be forthwith arrested by the sergeaut-at-arms and brought before the bar of this House, to show cause, if any he have, why he should not be punished for such contempt, and that said Ben C. Rich be held in custody by said sergeant-at-arms, sub- ject to the further order of the House of Repre sentatives. The assistant sergeants-at-arms ot" the House, Jordan, Young, and Clogston, started out for Rich. He was found coining to the State-House guarded by a number of Populists, among whom were Willits, Breidenthal, Scott, and Ryan. At the corner of Ninth Street and Kansas Avenue the officers attempted to arrest Mr. Rich, but the force surrounding him was too strong, and, after an exchange of blows and a general scuffle, the effort ended in a failure. Mr. Rich was escorted to the Dunsmore House in triumph, where he was protected from arrest by a strong guard of Populists, among whom were Hank Lindsay, Cal Brewer, J. F. Willits, Frank Herald, and many others. After the Dunsmore House had been in session a short time, Gest of Jefferson introduced the following resolution, which passed: Whereas, An attempt has been made to arrest the chief clerk of this House by an organized mob calling themselves the Republican House ot Representatives, but which we believe to be in reality the Santa Fe Railroad Company ; therefore be it Resolved, That we, the legally organized and constitutional House of Representatives, proclaim to the State of Kansas that the mob was foiled, and that our flag is still there. The excitement now became very great on both sides, and it was apparent that the complications of the past five weeks were about to culminate. During the afternoon a large number of sergeants-at-arms were sworn in by each side. After adjourn- ment in the afternoon, the Populists took possession of Repre- sentative Hall and locked the doors, refusing to admit any one. Governor Lewelling was in consultation with prominent Popu- lists, many of whom advised calling out the militia to maintain the Dunsmore House. The Governor sent for Sheriff Wilkersou and asked him to protect the Dunsmore House in their right to Representative Hall ; this Mr. "Wilkerson refused to do. Mr. Dunsmore asked the same of Sheriff Wilkerson, who replied to him, and also to the Governor, that he could take no partisan part, but that he was amply able, without the aid of the militia, to maintain the peace in this city and county. The correspond- ence between the Governor and the sheriff, containing the facts in the transaction, will be found in full in Letter No. ii in this volume. The situation at this time was critical. Late at night the Governor, ignoring the position of the sheriff, who is the peace officer, issued a proclamation calling out the militia. Many citizens began to come to the capital from all parts of the LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLIKG. 8-5 State. Everj' expre-ssion of the Governor, Speaker Duusniore, Judge Webb, Doster, Cleinens, Willits, and other leaders in the House and Senate, foreshadowed armed resistance to the legal House. In the Senate, after a stormy session, H, H. Artz was con- firmed adjutant-general. Wednesday^ February 15. — The revolutionary methods of sup- porting the minority House may be said to have culminated this day. The militia had been ordered out by the Governor to defend the Dunsmore House. Several hundred deputy sheriffs, including many of the best citizens of Topeka and of various counties of the State, had been sworn in by Sheriff Wilkerson to preset ve the peace. The door-keeper of the House, Mr. Miller, found himself confronted by armed men, who refused to permit him to pass to the Hall of Representatives to assume his regular duties. This was reported to the Republican members, who assembled at the Copeland Hotel. Upon consultation, it was decided that only the members of the legal House should form in line, with Speaker Douglass and Speaker ^ro teni. Hoch at the head of the column, and in this order the members entered the Capitol, and at the foot of the main stairway leading to Representative Hall they were met by a number of armed men, who said they were there by order of Adjutant-General A*rtz,.and that no persons would be permitted to pass. Speaker Douglass stated that, as Speaker of the House, in company with legal members, the authority of General Artz was not recognized, and ordered the guards to stand aside. This they refused to do, and the order to go forward was given by Speaker Douglass, and, although the guard resisted, the members went up the stairwav, at the top of which other armed gtiards, with their guns pointed at the approaching members, ordered them to stop. They did not stop, but pushed aside the guards. The first door, leading to the southeast cloak-room, was forced open, and the doors to the hall thus reached. It required the use of a sledge-hammer (with which Speaker Douglass had provided himself before start- ing to the hall) to gain admittance. Assisted by ISIr. Hoch, Mr. Swan, LIr. Troutman, and other members, the doors were soon broken open. The Populist guards, fifteen or twenty in number, in charge of the hall inside, made a very hastj^ retreat. The possession of the hall was thus secured by the legal House, and held until the Supreme Court decided that it had a right to remain there. An incident that may have changed the result of this entrance into the hall occurred just as the column so gallantly led by Douglass and Hoch reached the upper landing of the stairway. While the Populist guards stood with guns and pistols pointed at the members approaching, Mr. J. Ware Butter- field, who had forced his way into the hall from the stairway at the west end and hurried across the hall and through the doors, came upon the scene, loudly calling out to the guards, " For God's sake, don't shoot ! don't shed innocent blood ! " As none but Populists were supposed to be in the hall, the guards naturally hesitated and turned towards Mr. Butterfield; before 86 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. they could turn again, the rapidly advancing members were upon them, and the possibility of using their weapons, if they intended to do so, had passed, and the members were in the hall. Slight as the circumstance was, it may have saved the bloodshed that was so imminent for forty-eight hours or more during the greatest excitement. Provisions were sent in to the members. Mr. Cubbison offered a resolution for the arrest of Populists who resisted the arrest of Ben. C. Rich. Mr. Greenlee offered resolutions condemning the Governor for aiding as a partisan the revolutionary methods of the minority House. At 7:30 P. M. Governor Lewelling entered Representative Hall, was escorted to the Speaker's desk, and said : Gentlemen: No man aiiKsng you can deprecate the j>resent situation •which exists here to-day mo-re than 1 do. There is no desire on the part of your Executive to institute any forcible proceedings here i:i this hall ft the present time or at any other time. I earnestly entreat you, as citizens of the State of Kansas, as men of integrity and honor, as I know you are, to consider carefully and cautiously the conditions which exist and the possibilities which may arise in the future. _ Under the present condition, there is only one course to be pursued. _ It is impossiblethat there should be any receding on the part of your Executive from the position held to-day, but I desire to ask you, as citizens, that you consider as carefully as vou maj' do, if there may not be a way for an amicable solution of these difficulties. I earnestly entreat you, as citizens, not to make it necessary for me to call upon the military arm of the government to enter and take possession of this Representative Hall. There has been some talk about bringing the conditions which exist to a conclusion through the courts. It has been said repeatedly, by men who are on your side, that as soon as bills were passed they would be brought into the courts, and thus a solution of this difficulty should be had. That act has already been done; a bill has been passed bj' the House of Representatives and signed. If there is a method of solution of this difficulty in the courts, that method of solution is at hand ; and I appeal to you, as citizens, whether it would not be better to rest vour cause upon that basis, and rest upon that solution, rather than to continue to retain this hall. I urge you, as fellow- citizens, that you now surrender this hall to the legal authorities of the Sta1 e. I would dreprecate exceedinglv to have the military enter this Hall of Representatives ; I do not want anything of that kind, and I ask you, gentle- men, if you will not be willing to surrender this hall— or, at least, those of you who are not members of the House of Representatives ? Mr. Hoch, of Marion County, was then recognized by the Chair, and spoke as follows : Governor, pardon me— one word. I appreciate your coming not as Governor of this .State, but as a citizen of tliis State, and I am sure I voice the sentiments of every man within the sound of my voice when I say there is no man upon this floor who has ever desired anything else than a fair, honorable, and amicable settlement of this unfortunate difficulty. I wish, however, Governor, to ask you in fairness if— pending this decision of the courts, which I trust will be reached within a few days— if it would not be fair, if any side abandons this hall, that both sides abandon it until this decision is reached. Could there be objection upon either side to that state of affairs? I appeal to you as the Governor of chis commonwealth, elected by the suffrages of the noblest and grandest people, in my judgme.it, on the face of the earth, elected to preside over the grandest State in this Union ; I appeal to you as wzr Governor, in this critical crisis that has come upon us to-day, that if we surrender this hall, pending the decision of this matter in the courts, if it would not be fair that all parties surrender this hall during the pendency of this contest? The Governor replied: I am not here, of course, to enter into any political discussion, or a LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING 87 discussion of these questions. I only ask this : you gentlemen have stated between yourselves, and it has come to my ears repeatedl}% that only one thing was wanting, and that was that the House of Representatives should pass a bill, that you might carrj' it into the courts ; now, if that has been your wish prior to this time, is there any reason why you should continue to hold this hall, when you have that opportunity before you? I ask you, gentlemen, that you shall surrender this hall into my keeping to-night; that you vacate this hall and leave it in my care ; I ask fthat you do that ; I ask it as citizens, as countrymen — many of you personally known to me, many of you my own personal friends ! There can no harm come from it ; I ask, therefore, that you vacate this hall, surrender it to me, if you choose, and then let the process that you see fit to pursue, follow. That is all I have to say gentlemen, further than to add that, as the matter now stands, it becomes my duty to use some method, which I almost shrink from naming, to secure possession of the hall. I trust there will be no occasion for any- thing of the kind. Mr. Hocti, again addressing the Governor, said ; Pardon me ; the proposition that was made was not i'ntended to disturb the policy that has been pursued here for more than five weeks. If both sides abandon this hall, wouldn't it be right that the state of affairs which has existed here for five weeks should be continued ? The Governor replied : It is not for me to enter into any contest. There are several militia companies here to-da}', called to do what I deem it my duty to order, and which I shrink from more than I can tell. I ask you to consider the situation. Mr. Greenlee, of Reno County, asked: Would you regard the decision of the Supreme Court as the final settle- ment of this difficulty ? But the Governor refused to answer Mr. Greenlee's question* and left the chair. Ex-Governor Osborn, representing a committee of citizens, counselled peace, and urged that if the militia came, the members should calmly surrender. His speech was not endorsed by the members. On the contrary, the House determined to resist until driven out at the point of the bayonet by overwhelming numbers. Colonel Hughes, who was commanding the militia, at 10:30 came into the House in the full uniform of a colonel and was introduced by the Speaker. He said : I was ordered by Governor Lewelling to take command of the militia called out here to-day. I did so at once. When I asked him for orders, he told me that I must surround the State-House with my men, protect the property of the State, and remove from Representative Hall all men who are not recogjiized by Mr. Dunsmore and himself as members of the Legislature. I then told him he would have to look for some other officer. [Prolonged cheering.] I am still in command, and I am going to stay there until I am relieved. I may be relieved, but I can saj- to you that j-ou" need have no fear to-night. No one will attempt to molest you. If I am relieved, mj^ regiment will go with me. The applause was deafening and three tremendous cheers were offered ior Colonel Hughes. About II o'clock a restraining order was issued by Judge Hazen, of the District Court of Shawnee County, against the fur- ther payment of money by State Treasurer Biddle, under an act passed by the Senate and Dunsmore House, for legislative expenses. The Treasurer's force had worked all night to enable him to pay the money out before the restraining order could be served upon him, as it was well known that a test case would be 88 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. made. The decision of Judge Hazen iu this case is published in this volume. The threats made by the Governor were not carried out, and the legal House remained in session all night. Thursday, February i6. — Conference between the Governor and the legal House. Governor Lewelling proposed, iu a mes- sage delivered by bis private secretary to the House, that he withdraw all militia and not allow the Republican House and employees to be interfered with, provided that all proceedings against Ben C. Rich be dropped, and that Populist members and employees should not be disturbed ; this agreement to remain in force during balance of the session. In presenting this proposi- tion, Mr. Close said: "If you don't accept it, I lear the conse- quences within the next hour. I, for one, have shed all the blood I care to, and I don't believe that any of you are anxious to do more — at least, the older ones, who have been through bloody times." After discussion, a committee was appointed to present a counter-proposition to the Governor. In half an hour the committee reported : First. To dismiss all contempt proceedings heretofore commenced. Second. The body presided over by Hon. J. M. Duusmore to arrest Frank Iv. Brown, chief clerk of this House," and the body presided over by Hon. George L. Douglass to arrest Beu C. Rich, chief clerk of the body presided over by Hon. J. M. Dunsmore, both of said arrests to be upon the charge of contempt and to be made immediately, and the respective parties to apply to the Supreme Court for release by habeas corpus, both of said cases to be prosecuted upon the sole question of the legalitj' of the respective Houses. Ikird. The Governor to discharge and dismiss the State militia and provisional guards. Fourth. The sheriflf of Shavi^nee County to dismiss all special deputy sheriffs. Fifth. The House of Representatives presided over by Hon. George L. Douglass to have exclusive, free, and undisputed possession of Represent- ative Hall, with all appurtenances, rooms, and approaches. Sixth. This agreement to remain in force until the Supreme Court shall have decided the issue in controversy. Seventh. In order to avoid misunderstanding in the future, that the agreement of these resolutions or plan of action shall be ratified by the sig- natures of each of the presiding officers of both contending bodies and the Governor. The report was adopted, and a committee submitted the prop- osition to the Governor, who staled that he would take it under consideration until 9 a. m. the next day (Friday). Mr. Gunn, arrested for contempt of authority of the House, applied to the Supreme Court for a writ of habeas corpus, which was granted, and the trial set for hearing Friday. Sherifif Wilkerson continues to increase his force. Col. Hughes relieved of his command. Members of the Douglass House remain in session all night. Friday, February 17.— Peace declared upon the following terms : LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR. ToPEKA, February 17, 189^. First. It being the understanding that the House presided over by Mr. Dunsmore has secured a hall in which to meet, the House presided over by Mr. Douglass shall remain in possession of Representative Hall, undisturbed and unmolested. Second. The House presided over by Mr. Dunsmore shall in like manner LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 8!) be undisturbed and unmolested in the possession of the hall which it has secured, and may, if it desires, select a room in the State-House for its meetings, other than Representative Hall. Third. No arrests to be made by either House of members or officers of the other. Fourth. The militia to be immediately relieved, including the new recruits sworn in, and the sheriff's posse to be immediatel3- disbanded. Fifth. Militia companies now en route for Topeka to b>; immediatel}' telegraphed to by the Governor to return to their homes. Iv. D. I,EWELLING, Govertior. Geo. L Dougl.\ss, D. W. Eastman, J. K. CUBBISON, Committee on the part of the House presided over by Mr. Douglass. The followiug additional memorandum was attached to the agreement : - The memoranda this day signed by Governor Lewelling, George L- Douglass, D. W. Eastman, andj. K Cubbison, as a committee of the House of Representatives presided over by Mr. Douglass, and hereto attached, is not to be construed as a recognition by either the Douglass or Dunsmore House of the legal organization or character of the other, or by the Governor or the Senate as a recognition of either of such Houses, and shall not be used in court or anj' legislative body as evidence for any person, party, or body, and shall not be entered upon the journal or other record of either the Douglass House or the Duusinore House or the Senate. (Signed) I<. D. jewelling. Governor. Geo. L. Douglass. D. W. Eastman, J. K. Cubbison, Committee on the part of the Hotise presided over by Mr. Douglass . Upon the adoption of the treat}-, the House adjourned until Saturday at lo o'clock. The termination of the contest was greeted with pleasure b)' Republicans, Democrats, and Populists, although the expressions of chagrin by the Populists in having to meet elsewhere than in Representative Hall were unmistak- able. That a bloody riot was averted is recognized to be almost a miracle. In the Senate, Mr. Leedy, of Coflfe}' County, offered the follow- ing resolution: Whereas, The people of Shawnee County are organizing under the sheriff of said county for the purpose of defying and overthrowing the authority of the State; be it Resolved, By the Senate of the State of Kansas, that a committee of five be appointed to consider the advisability of removing the State capital, with instructions to report within ten days. Saturday, February i8. — The legal House met in Representa- tive Hall at lo A. M. and adjourned until 4 p. m. Monday. The members were worn out with loss of sleep and the excitement of the week, and needed rest. Judge Hazen renders a decision in the case of the State Treasurer, which is printed in full in this volume. But little business was done in the Senate during the "wah." 3/otiday, February 20. — The legal House called to order at 4 p. M. The Populist House, having had the basement corridor of the south wing fitted up with temporary desks, etc., was called to order at 4 o'clock by Mr. Semple, Speaker pro tern, of the Dunsmore House. The Senate was fully occupied with routine business. Mr. R. B. Welch, who was in command of the 600 ser- 90 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. geants-at-arms sworn in by the Douglass House, was relieved from duty. The Gunn habeas corpus case begins this day in the Supreme Court. Tuesday, February 21. — The legal House and Senate in ses- sion. The Dunsmore House in the basement grinding out legis- lation with great diligence, regardless of the fact that it has no legal existence. Wednesday, February 22. — The Populist senators indicate their hostility to Topeka by passing resolutions to move the capital, Their course in this matter does not even secure serious atten- tion. The Dunsmore "rump"' House passes a maximum freight bill. The Senate discussed the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to decide which is the legal House. Populists all deny that the court has jurisdiction. Examination of witnesses in the Gunn case occupied the entire day in the Supreme Court. THE POPULIST SIDE. The following address was sent out as the Populist statement of facts and argument for the present attitude of that party, and it has the endorsement of Governor Lewelling : Now that comparative peace reigns about the State Capitol, and Repub- licans are clamorous in their boasting and aijfect to believe they have gained their point, it will be well to make inquiry and note the facts. Such inquiry will establish the fact that the Populists have never lost sight of the one great essential in this contest and come out of this imbroglio secure in its possession. That essential is the " preservation of the Populist House." To suppress this, to destroy it, to wipe it out of existence, was the dastardlj' and far-reaching purpose of the Republicans when they precipitated the late insurrection. Could they have accomplished the suppression of that House, they would have thwarted all possibility of any reform legislation. They know that laws passed by the assistance of that House are valid. They know that the Supreme Court that would declare otherwise woiild have to reverse all respectable precedent, immolate itself to the basest partisan demands, and face a wave of public indignation unparalleled since the days of the notorious Judge Tresilian was followed to the scaffold by an outraged people, where they beat him with staves to make him ascend, and then exulted at his just but shocking execution. Corporate greed is determined to prevent the enactment of the reform measures of the Populists. No Supreme Court in theje days of suspicion and imputations against the integrity of courts cares to assume that respon- sibility of declaring those laws void. One happy solution presented itself to the nefarious and atrocious scheniers, and that was the extinction and suppression of the Populist House. They did not merely intend to prevent it from meeting in Representative Hall, but they intended to prevent it from meeting anywhere — to deprive it of existence, so that no official acts could flow from it. Their first of a series of contemplated steps to this end was the attempted arrest of the chief clerk of the Populist House. This was to be followed by the arrest of a sufficient number of Populist members in order to break the quorum of the Populist House. Resistance by the Populists to the execution of this Republican scheme precipitated the armed Republican insurrection. Now that peace has been declared, it should be borne well in mind that the Populists have carried their point, and have wrung from the Republicans a solemn pledge to cease all further attempts to molest or attempt the extinction of the Populist House. The compulsory vacation of Representa- tive Hall may not be pleasant to the personal feelings of Populists, but it is the price Populists pay for believing that Republicans possessed a particle of loyalty or respect for law cr official oaths. When the Governor found himself confronted by the sheriff of Shawnee County and a huge horde of drunken ruffianly deputies, said to be largely from Missouri, pr.esent, he LETTERS TO GOVERXOR LE WELLING. 91 llso found that the militia of the State on whom he had to rely were to a man stained through with treason. The commanding officer was the first to make known his contempt for his official oath, and that he would not obey orders from his superior officer. Hence, when it is said that the Gov- ernor has made terms with a power which a short time ago he termed a lawless body, we frankly admit it, and say that he did it just as the Union men at Ft. Sumter recognized Jeff Davis, or the loyal people of Lawrence recognized Quantrell. The disloyaltj' of the present militia tells the whole tale. Good Republi- can authorities privatelv admit that for the past two years the militia has been weeded out, recruited, and doctored to this end. The knowledge of this fact explains the nefarious conduct of the Shawnee County sheriff. The Con- stitution of this State says : " The Governor shall'be commander-in-chief, and shall have power to call out the militia to execute the laws, to suppress insurrection, and to repel invasion." But the partisan sheriff, after involving himself in evasions and gross contradictions, perceiving that the Governor was helpless in the midst of a cowardly and disloyal militia, raised an army of deputies, many of whom ■were the most vicious and depraved characters, filled with rum and continu- ally talking about hanging the Populist leaders. Backed up by this motley crew, the sheriff denies the Governor the powers conferred on him by the Constitution, and, under threat of bloodshed and an assault upon the State- House and the Governor's feeble forces, compels him to treat with the law- less and treason-infected Republican gang. Although treating in the face of such adverse circumstances, the Popu- lists have not surrendered one iota that is essential. So far as Representa- tive Hall is concerned, many Populists and Populist papers advised weeks ago that the Populists vacate Representative Hall and retire o where they are now going Had they done so. Populist legislation would be much further advanced than it is now. Bevond the indignity, the vacating of Representa- tive Hall amounts to nothing, and the unmasking of Republican treason, perjury, and general lawlessness richly compensates the Populists for all the indignities th<='y have suffered. What the Populists must not surrender is the Populist House. This is vital. Whether the Republicans have really abandoned their intention to forcibly strangle the Populist House remains to be seen. The chief reliance of the Republicans is the trea?on-infected militia. Kansas Republicans applauded when a Pennsylvania militiaman was hung up bj' the thumbs and subjected to harsh and cruel treatment because he had spoken disrepectfully of a cruel-hearted man of wealth, but now we see those same Kansas Republicans applauding Kansas officers and privates because they violate their oath of enlistment, disobey their officers, and encourage a county sheriff in open violation of law, backed up by a legion of cut-throat scoundrels from Kansas City, St. Joseph, and St. Louis. Thursday, February 23. — Both the legal and the " rump " House and the Senate at work. Arguments in the Gunn case before the Supreme Court occupied the day. Deep interest felt in the progress of the Gunn case, which is expected to solve the question as to the legality of the Douglass House. Friday, February 24. — The interest in the legislative proceed- ings is overshadowed by the Gunn case in the Supreme Court. A decision will be given Saturday. The Douglass House compli- ments Colonel Htighes. Saturday, February 25. — The decision of the Supreme Court in favor of the legality of the Douglass House was the important event of the day. Populists held long caucuses discussing the course of action to be adopted. Some advised prompt recogni- tion of the mandate of the court, while others favored an appeal to the United States Supreme Court, or open and defiant opposi- tion. The Douglass House adjourned till Monday, 4. p. M. Monday, February 27. — Populists continue to caucus and to 92 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. discuss the situation. Speaker Dunsmore said they would go into the Douglass House only under protest. The Senate and the Governor submit to the decision of the court with protests. The Dunsmore House decide at a late hour. to go in a body and take their seats in the legal House on Tuesday morning. Business unimportant in both House and Senate. Tuesday., February 28. — The House was called to order at 10 A. M. by Speaker Douglass. Promptly at that hour the Pop- ulists of the Dunsmore House, headed by Sergeant-at-arms Dix bearing the American flag, followed by Speaker Dunsmore and Speaker /ro /^w. Semple, appeared in the hall and took their seats on the north side. The House now consists of 66 Repub- licans, 54 Populists, and 3 Democrats, as follows: Republicans — Allen, L. B. Pearson; Anderson, John G. Johnson; Atchison, John Seaton and M. K. Nichols; Bourbon, H. J. Butler; Brown, W. W. Price: Chase, R. H. Chandler; Ctiautauqua, M. B. Chrisman; Cherokee, Alex. War- ner; Cheyenne, L. S. Willits; Coffey, T. C. Ballinger; Cowley, F. G Powers; Doniphan, James A. Campbell; Douglass, N. Simmons and N. Bishoff Fin- ney, W. R. Ford and M. W. Sutton; Gove, R. D. Anderson; Grant, Peter Bow- ers; Gray, Ora B. Douglass; Greeley, W. M. Glenn; Greenwood, E. W. Clay- comb; Hamilton, Alfred Pratt: Harvej-, John E. Frazer; Hodgeman, T. C. Bowie; Jackson, Nick Kline and J. P". Pomeroy; Jefferson, C. H. Phinuej'; Johnson, N. Zimmerman; Kearny, F. M. Kelley; Kiowa, J. W.Davis: Miami, J. W. Remington; Montgomery, F. M. Benefiel; Morris, H. E. Ricliter; Ness, R. O. Elting; Pottawatomie, A. J. Axelton; Rawlins, Samuel Way; Reno, J. F. Greenlee and J. W. Dix; Republic, S. M. Foster; Riley, Wm. Knipe; Rooks, J. ,S. Shaw; Rush, S. I. Hale; Russell, O. L. Atherton; Sedgwick, George L. Douglass; Seward, H. V. Nichols; Shawnee, A. C. Sherman, James A. Trout- man, and W. B. Swan; Sumner, William Hobson; Wallace, W. D. Harris: Wichita, W. J. Chubbuck; Wilson, Jacob Lamb; Woodson, J. H. Baver; Wyan- dotte, J. K. Cubbison; Lane, C. E. Lobdell; Marion, E. W. Hcch; Trego, A. H. Blair; Logan, John F. Coulter; Lyon, D. W. Eastman; Leavenworth, H. C. F. Hackbusch and McCown Hunt; Marshall, William Raemer; McPhersou, C.J- Stromquist; Linn, J. R. Clark; Meade, James Wilson (Independent). Popuhs/s — Lewis H. Gest, Jefferson; J.J. McAlenej', Wyandotte; A. A. Bur- gard, Wyandotte; R. H. Semple, Franklin; J. A. Clark, Bourbon; Hugh Bone, Crawford; W. H. Ryan, Crawford; C. L. W^alters, Cherokee; J. L.Humphrey. Labette; P. A. Morrison, Labette: J. M. Dunsmore, Neosho; James Graham, Osage; Thos. Chappell, Osage; R. D. McCliman, Nemaha; P. Daughtrty, Geary; Joseph Tren, Wabaunsee; Chas. Moss, Lyon; G. W. Crumley, Elk; Ed, Green, Cowley; M. P. Kelley, Dickinson; A. A. Newman, Clay; D. M. Watson, Washington; S. O. Everly, Cloud; Geo. McConkey, Ottawa; P. H. Dolan, .Saline; H. W. Ruble, Sedgwick; F. G. Rawson, .Sedgwick; J. M. Doubleday, Sumner; George H. Coulson, Harper; T. S. Benefiel, Kingman; William Gar rison, Barber; William Campbell, Stafford; M. W. Cobun, Barton; W. M. Ken- ton, Rice; Joseph Sekavec, Ellsworth; A. N. Whittiugton, Lincoln; George H. McKinnie, Mitchell; S.W. Hill, Osborne; E.E. Barnett, Jewell; J. M.Helm. Smith; P. C. Wagoner, Phillips; B. F. Replogle, Ellis: A. H. Lupfer, Pawnee, J. G. Wright, Edwards; B. F. Morris, Clark; Levi Pritchard, Graham, W. L; Kerr, Nort in; Dan Caster, Norton; W.J. Barnes, Sheridan; J A Bucklin. Thomas; F. E- Yearick; Sherman; J. F. Pancake, Scott; T. M. Grissom, Stan- ton; A. H. Drew, .Stevens. Democrats— Thotao.?. G. Chambers, Comanche; Stephen G. Meagher, Leav- enworth; Joseph Rosenthal, Haskell The eleven names added to the roll when the Dunsmore House was organized on January loth, and who have been acting with that body up to this date, were as follows : J. W. Howard, of Doniphan County; D. M. Howard, of Shawnee County, Ed. Shellabarger, of Jackson County; O. M. Rice, of Coffey County: I. N. Goodvin, of Ness County: H Helstrom, of McPherson County : F.B.Brown; of Grant County: W. H. Mitchell, of Reno County; W. H. White, of Morris County; J. W. Hair, of Kiowa County; John Morrison, of Gray County. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 93 W. E. Brown, of Pratt County, and C. M. Noble, of Butler County, Populists, who held certificates of election at the organi- zation of the House, were unseated becattse they were posmasters at that time. Two other certificated members, C. A. Woodworth, of Atchison County, and J. W. Tucker, of Linn County, were unseated for irregularities in their election, proven by an open and public examination of the facts by the Election Committee. These fifteen members of the Dunsmore House were not given seats to-day. Mr. Douglass introduced the following resolution to forestall the Populist movement for an extra session : Resolved, That in additiou to making all necessary appropriations, it is the duty of this Legislature, First . To pass a law providing for the election of railroad commis- sioners by the people, enlarging their powers, jDroviding for the enforce- ment of their decision, and, so far as possible, abolishing all unjust discrimi- nations in rates and in the furnishing of cars. - Secottd. To pass a mortgage law providing for reasonable right of re- demption, and, impossible, lessening the expense of foreclosure proceedings. Third. To pass a law providing for the complete revision of the general statutes of the State. Fourth. To pass a law making needed amendments to the statutes relating to assessment and taxation. Fifth . To pass a law for the preservation of the purity of the ballot and regulating the canvass of votes so as to provide against error in the count- ing, canvassing, and declaring the result of the same. Sixth. To pass a law regulating the weighing and screening of coal at the mines. Seventh. To pass a law providing for the weekly payment of wages whenever flie same can berequired without manifest injustice to employers. Eighth. To provide for an appellate court, the judge of which shall be elected by the people. Niuth. To provide for the apportionment of the State into congressional districts. Tenth. To submit such amendments to the Constitution as may be ol the most pressing necessity, and the adoption of which by the people can be reasonably anticipated. And we pledge ourselves to labor earnestlj-, patientlj', and unitedly to promote these and other needed measures of legislation. In the Senate, the Populist majorit}- exhaust their vocabulary of abuse against the Supreme Court and its decision, agreeing, however, with greet reluctance, to recognize the Douglass House. At ID minutes past 3 p. M. on February 2Sth, forty-four daj'S after the meeting of the Legislature, the Senate recognized the legal Hotise presided over by Geo. L. Douglass. Chief Clerk Brown, of the House, appeared at that hour with a message, and was recognized. Wednesday, March i. — The female suffrage resolution submit- ting the qttestion lO the people passed the House. Mr. Douglass's resoltition to give the people the legislation promised before adjournment passed. The Populists in the Senate continue to move the capital Thursday, 3/arch 2. — The Senate and House both pass the World's Fair bill. The Senate passes the maximum freight bill. Republican members of the Senate protest against the misrep- resentation of their sentiments by Associate Justice Allen in his dissenting opinion in the Gunn case. This protest is printed with Justice Allen's opinion. Friday, ISIarch 3. — The House discusses the Greenlee railroad 91 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING, bill. The Senate passed the weekly pay bill. A resolution by Sen- ator Baker introduced to create a committee to investigate charges of "boodle" for legislative purposes. Saturday, March 4. — Republicans refuse to entertain a motion to adjourn until the business of the session is finished. The House passes the Greenlee railroad bill. The Senate passed the appellate court bill providing for five judges ; however, it failed to pass the House. Monday, March 6. — Pay of the Dunsmore House and employ- ees the subject of long discussion in the House. The wording of the bill was finally changed to read " State-House employees," and passed both Houses with some modifications, the principal one being the leaving out of Ben C. Rich's name from the list of employees. The Senate refused the Greenlee railroad bill, and the House refused the maximum rate bill of the Senate, thus defeating all railroad legislation. Tuesday, March 7. — The House passed the gold contract bill. The session lasts until midnight and many bills are omnibused. The House passed a redemption law by which the defendant may redeem any real property sold under execution within eighteen months, and will in the meantime be entitled to possession of the property. Wednesday, March 8. — The Senate and House unable to agree on the legislative appropriation bill. The Australian bal- lot bill lost in the House by a vote of 60 to 50. Many other measures considered. It was also a busy day in the Senate. The fee and salary bill was defeated in the Senate for lack of three votes. Thursday, IMarch 9. — Speaker Douglass's radical bill to pre- vent corruption in elections passed. The general revenue bill passed both Houses. It provides that a tax levy of three and five-tenths mills shall be made each year and two-tenths of a mill for paying interest. This is the same levy as made by the last Legislature. Both Houses worked late and hard to secure an adjournment. Friday, 3/arch 10. — The bill to pa}' the expenses of the Duns- more House was the subject of much discussion in the House. The following is the vote : The members who voted for the bill were: Messrs. Bayer, Barnes, Benefiel of Kingman, Benefiel of Montgomery, Bone, Blair, Burgard, Bucklin, Campbell of Staff"ord, Caster. Clir"sman, Chambers, Chappell, Chubbuck, Clark of Bourbon, Claycomb, Coulsou, Cobun, Coulter, Crumlc)?, Daughert}', Dix, Drew.Dolan, Douglass of Gray, Doubleday, Dunsmore, Eastman, Everly, Gar- rison, Gest, Graham, Green, Grissom, Ilackbusch, Hill, Hoch, Humphrey, Kelley of Dickinson, Kenton, Kerr, Lamb, Lobdell, Lupfer, McAleney, McClimau, McKinnie, McConkey, Morrison, Morris, Moss, Newman, Pancake, Pearson, Pritchard, Rawson, Remington, Replogle, Rosenthal, Ryan, Ruble, Seaton, Semple, Sekavec, Shaw, Sutton, Swan, Tren, vValters, Watson, Wagoner, Way, Whittington, Willits, Wilson, Yearick. Total, 76. The members voting against the bill (all Republicans) were: LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING 95 Messrs. Anderson, Atherton, Axelton, Ballinger, Bishoff, Bowers, Bowie, Butler, Campbell of Doniphan, Chandler, Clark of Linn, Cubbison, Elting^, Foster, Frazier, Greenlee, Glenn, Hale, Hob- son, Hopkins, Hunt, Johnson, Kelley of Kearny, Kline, Knipe, Nichols of Seward, Phinney, Powers, Pratt, Price, Pomeroy, Rae- mer, Richter, Sherman, Simmons, Stromquist, Troutman, War- ner, Zimmerman, and Mr. Speaker Douglass. Total, 40. The Senate refused to confirm all but one of the police com- missioners of Kansas City, Kansas. Mr. Pray was confirtned,and Cunningham and Mitchell, charged by the same as being the friends of Pete Kline, the lottery dealer, were refused confirma- tion. Total appropriations for the biennial period ending June 30, 1893, exclusive of deficiency appropriations, were $2,510,242; deficiency, $350,000. Total appropriations passed upon by this Legislature for the biennial period ending June 30, 1895, are, in- cluding deficiencies, $2,545,000. Saturday, March 11.— The Legislature passed the last bill at I A. M. Sunday morning. Long and busy sessions in both Houses. Mr. Taylor's gambling and lottery bills were killed in the House, and the House holds the Senate responsible for the defeatof the railroad bin. All the necessary appropriation bills were pa-sed. Monday, March 13. — The formal adjournment of the House and Senate occurred at 9:45 p. M. Some of the most important measures were killed, among them the following : The bill to empower railroad commissioners to fix maximum freight rates, to abolish discriminations, and to provide for election of railroad commissioners by the people, passed by the House, but killed by the Senate, because the Senate was not will- ing to agree to the provision for the election of commissioners by the people. The appellate court bill, passed by the House and killed by the Senate in the face of the recommendation of its own con- ference committee, because the Senate would not consent to allow the judges to be elected by the people. The congressional apportionment bill, passed by the House, but killed by the refusal of the Senate to act upon it The anti-lottery and anti-gambling bills, killed by refusal of the Senate to take up for consideration the House amendments. ONLY ONE CONSTITUTIONAI, AMENDMENT. The Legislature passed only one joint resolution for the sub- mission to the people of a proposition to amend the Constitution. They are to vote at the next general election on the question of giving equal suffrage to women. ONLY ONE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE. It is the first Legislature that has not appointed a half-dozen investigating committees of one kind or another. The only investigating committee now out is instructed to investigate the charges of the Topeka G7///«/ against James F. Legate, Fred J. Close, and John T. Little. 96 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF KANSAS I' PON THH CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF KANSAS. Organized at the Capitol January io, 1893, and Generai^IvY Known as the Douglass House. The following is the complete oral opinion, as revised, deliv- ered by Chief Justice Horton on Saturday, February 25, 1S93 : The court is under obligations to the able counsel in present- ing the case we are called to pass on this morning, both for their masterly arguments and the research of the authorities upon the questions involved. Yesterday the members of the court con- sumed nearly the entire day in consultation and discussing, so far as time would permit, all the material questions in the case. This morning I come here to announce my own views, and shall now do so on the matters presented, and will, at the conclusion, state the opinions of the other members of the court. Before commencing, I should say that as yet no written opin- ion has been prepared. We have not had time. After we had finished our consultations, I penciled down some notes last even- ing at my home. The stenographer has copied them and I will refer to them, together with the authorities, in expressing my views. Later the opinion of the court will be prepared, and the views of the justices ftilly stated. HOW THE CASE ORIGINATED. On the 15th of February of the present year, L. C. Gunn was arrested by C. C. Clevenger, and soon thereafter he presented his petition to one of the justices of this court, asking to be dis- charged from arrest and restraint upon the ground that Cleven- ger had no authority to arrest or detain him. He alleged that Clevenger was acting as the sergeant-at-armsof an alleged House of Representatives that had no authority to act as a House. The warrant issued to Clevenger as sergeant-at-arms for the arrest of Gunn was signed by Douglass as Speaker and attested by Brown LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 97 as chief clerk, and was attached to the application. Subsequently a return was filed by Clevenger as sergeant-at-arms, justifying the arrest of Gunn and alleging that his detention was lawful upon the ground that he (Clevenger) was the sergeant-at- anns of the constitutional House of Representatives of the State of Kansas, duly organized by the election of George L. Douglass as Speaker, Frank L. Brown as chief clerk, with other officers, and that Gunn refused to obey a subpcenapersonally served upon him to appear before the Committee on Elections and testify as a witness in a proper investigation then pending before such com- mittee of the House. To that return certain exceptions have been filed by the petitioner, who has associated with him counsel rep- resenting the Governor of the State. Upon the allegations of the pleadings thus framed, this court has a proper matter before it to hear and determine judicially. The Constitution of the State gives this court original jurisdiction in habeas corpus, and this is a proceeding of that character. THE QUESTION AT ISSUE. The liberty of a citizen is in controversy. But the statute of this State provides that no court or judge shall inquire into the legality of any judgment or process whereby a partyisin custody, or discharge him, when the term of commitment has not expired, in the following case, among others : Third: For any contempt of any court, officer, or body having authorit}' to commit. Therefore, we have before us, necessary for our determination, the question whether the body or the House wdiicli authorized Clevenger as sergeant-at-arms to arrest and detain Gunn had any legal or constitutional authority so to do. If there were one Hoixse only, or the proceedings of one House only, to consider, our duty in this manner wo\ild be plain and easy. But it appears from the journals presented to us that on January lo, 1893, the day appointed for the organization of the House of Representa- tives of the State of Kansas, there met and attempted to organize at the Capitol, in Representative Hall, two Houses, which since that time have acted separately and independent of each other. THE IvAW AFFECTING ORGANIZATION. We will ex-amine briefl}' the organization or attempted organi- zation of these two alleged Houses. Before doing so, however, it is best to understand how a House of Representatives may be legally organized. Judge McCrary, in his work upon Elections, in Section 509, saj-s: It is to be observed in the outset that when a number of persons come together claiming' to be members of a legislative body, those persons who hold the usual credentials of membership are alone entitled lo participate in that organization, for it is, as we have had occasion several times to repeat, a well-settled rule that where there has been an authorized election for an office, the certificate of election, which is sanctioned by law or usage, is the prima fade written title to that office. Judge McCrary, the writer of these words, occupied for many 98 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWEI^LING. years a seat in tlie House of Representatives at Washington, He was chairman for many years in that body of the Committee upon Elections. Subsequently, he was a member of President Hayes's cabinet, and later life was the honored judge of the United States Circuit Court for the Eighth Circuit, embracing Kansas. His book is a standard work, both from his ability and experi- ence, and acknowledged to be the leading authority in this country upon the questions therein discussed. But again: We have what is known as a standard work on parliamentary or legislative practice. It is found in almost everj' public library, is examined and referred to by every legislative assembly and by every congressional body, and is " Cushing's Law and Practice of Legislative Assemblies." Section 229 of that work reads : The right toassurae the functions of a membe*- in the first instance, and to participate in the preliminary proceedings and organization, depends wholly and exclusively upon the returns or certificates of election. And in Section 240 it is said : The' principles of parliamentary law applicable to the question are perfectly simple and plain, founded in the very nature of things, established by the uniform practice and authority of Parliament, confirmed by reason and analogy. These principles are as follows : First: That every person duly returned is a member, whether legally elected or not, until his election is set aside. Second: That no person who is not duly returned is a member, although legally elected, until his election is established. Third: That conflicting claimants, both in form legally returned (that would be where two persons had certificates;, are neither of them entitled to be considered as members until the question between them has been settled. Fourth: That those members who are duly returned, and they alone (the members whose rights are to be determined being excluded), constitute the judicial tribunal for the decision of all questions of this nature. Upon this question of certificates, I cite the case which was referred to on yesterday. It is the case in the United States Sen- ate from Montana, and is the latest utterance of the highest leg- islative body in this land. In the report of the majority of the committee it is said : Themajority of the committee are of opinion that if this body of persons had lawful and constitutional certificates of their election, that title is a good title against all the world, governing their associates in that body, gov- erning the Senate, governing everybody who has a lawful duty to determine who are lawfully elected representatives, until there can be an adjudication by the House itself to the contrary, and that nobody can be heard to say. and that no authority can be permitted to inquire into or determine the actual facts of the election as against that title. — 51 Cong., 1st Session, Cong. Record, I 'of. 21, Pari T,d, 2906-2910. The majority of the committee were all Republican members of the United States Senate; but Senator Gra}-, from Delaware, one of the most distinguished lawyers and Democrats of that body, made a minority report, and in such report admitted the rule proclaimed by the majority of the committee concerning certificates of election issued to members of a IvCgislature. In his report he said: I may say, for the minority of the committee, that we accept as a postulate the proposition laid down by the Senator from Massachusetts, and do not differ at all, in considering' this case, from liim iu the position that we should seek here, in the first j)!ace, to discover the lawful body clothed with LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 99 legislative power who has chosen a senator, and that to determine whether it be such lawful body, we shall be bound in the tirst instance by the fact that such body is composed of members who hold credentials from an officer oi board clotiaed with authority in the premises to make such credentials. This subject has also received the recent attention of the Supreme Court of Nebraska in a case in which the opinion was handed down as late as the 17th of January of the present year, upon a matter involving the certificate of the election of a metnber of the Legislature. The court said : It is contemplatert that each House of the Legislature shall be organized bj' the persons who are prima facie members thereof. It requires no argument to prove the disastrous consequences of a differ- ent construction of the Consiitutiou. — State vs. Van Camp [Manuscript). I may add that the scenes which have occurred in this Capitol during the past two weeks are sufficient justification for the view of the Supreme Court of Nebraska. But more than this: Our own statutes clearly provide that the Legislature — that the vSenate and the House of Representatives, when they convene — shall, in the first instance, be constituted only of those members who have certificates of election. They provide that after an election is held in November, speed}' steps shall be taken for the returns of the county canvassing boards; then the clerks of these boards shall make returns to the State board of canvassers; and then, after a certain length of time, the State board of canvassers shall make an examination of these returns and issue certificates to the persons appearing to be elected. More than this: The State of Kansas has been in existence for over thirty years. It is recognized everywhere that practice and usage are to be con- sidered upon questions of this character. It has been the univer- sal practice and usage of the legislative Houses of Kansas to be organized by the admission, in the first instance, of persons holding certificates of election. This has been the universal practice in Kansas. Now, against this, what can be said, and what authorities are brought? That MAINE CASK. A case is cited from INIaine, and, in my view, with the excep- tion of a few words in the opinion, I concur in all that is said by the Supreme Court of Maine. In that State the retitrns were made to the State canvassing board. Under the authority of the Constitution, the State officials submitted certain qtiestions to the Sttpreme Court as to their duty concerning the canvass of those returns. The Supreme Court of Maine gave advice, which, in substance, was that the State board shotild canvass those returns as they appeared upon their face; that Uiey were ministerial offi- cers onl}-,andhad no authority whatever to go back of the returns, or to hear and act upon other evidence. In violation of the Con- stitution of that State, in violation of the statutes of the State, and contrary to the express advice of the Supreme Court of the State, the board of canvassers refused to accept the returns duly filed with them. Under such a condition of affairs, the Supreme Court of IMaine ruled that those rcttirns were better evidence 100 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. than the fraudulent certificates issued by the State board of can- vassers in violation of the Constitution, in violation of the statutes, and contrary to the advice of the Supreme Court. NOT A PARAI.I,EI, CASK AT ALL. In this case no such condition of affairs appears. There has been offered in evidence the certified list of members who appear to have been elected. Accompanying that certificate is a state- ment of the returns on file in the office of the Secretary of State, •with a statement of how many votes each member received. Here let me say, that while there has been much discussion about what fraudulent canvassing boards might do, and what frauds canvassing boards might commit, there has not been presented in this case any evidence showing that the returns of election on file in the office of the Secretary of State could have been canvassed in any manner other than they were can- vassed. There have been other cases in this court, growing out of certificates of election, and in all the cases presented to this court there has been no showing of bad faith, or fraudulent action, or of improper conduct on the part of any one of the State or county canvassing boards. In one case, it appealed that Joseph Rosenthal had been found elected by the board of canvassers in Haskell Countj^ That board did its duty; that board did no wrong; but the clerk of that board, intentionally or unintention- ally, I care not which, sent an erroneous return to the State board of canvassers, but that mistake was not attempted to be corrected . until after the State board had finally adjourned. That board stated that it could not meet again and canvass the later or the subsequent return. This court, in accordance with all the authorities, sustained the State board of canvassers in their action, and if any one had the right to complain of that decision, it was Joseph Rosenthal. And 5-et Joseph Rosenthal, after he had heard the decision of this court delivered, presented to the Chief Justice of this court a letter, stating that he was convinced that the de- cision of this court was the law, and that he respected the court for its decision. The dunsmore journal. But more than this: There has been presented here what is known as the revised journal of the Dunsmore House. I judge that the journal has been carefully prepared, and that it is at- tempted to fully state what occurred according to the views of the parties or of the body under whose order it was prepared and which has approved it, and yet the journal day after day seems to recognize that only certified members have the authority to act. Let me read : " The call of the roll was re- ceived from the Secretary of State, and the following members were present and answered to their names," and it gives the names of fifty-eight. " The following members were present and did not respond to the call of the roll," fifty-seven. Then it says, " total number of members present, 115," being more than LETTERS TO COl'ERNOR LE WELLING. lOl a constitutional qnoruni. Therefore this journal at that place only counts the members who appear upon the roll of the Secre- tary of State. It says the number was 115, " fifty-eight voting, answering the call, and fift5'-seven not answering the call." It then states, " the following named contestants for seats were present," but does not include them in the quorum or in the number of 115. It says they numbered ten. Again : On the second day of the meeting of what is known as the Dunsmore House, I read : " The House met pursuant to adjournment, Speaker Dunsmore in the chair. The roll was called and the following named members answered to their names," and the number is fifty-seven. That is all that answered. Then it says, "the following members were present, but did not answer to the roll-call," and they were sixteen ; and then it says, "the whole ntimber of members present was seventy-three," — sixteen and fifty-seven, — being ten more than a constitutional quorum, and every day of this journal the same record is kept up until after the report of the Committee on Elections and certain other persons were admitted. So that not only do the authorities hold that the persons having the certificates of elec- tion are the ones to participate in the organization of the House of Representatives, but the revised journal of the Dunsmore House shows that its members recognized that principle, if this revision is correct. I know that Mr. Rich has made some different statements. I know that a certain journal presented here, of the same bod}-, reads differently. I am now accepting the revised journal as the true statement of the condition of affairs in the Dunsmore House. Of course, the petitioner cannot object to that journal. So I say, not only do the authorities, parlia- mentary and legislative, sustain the theory that the persons having certificates are the ones to organize, not only does the practice and the usage prevailing in Kansas since its organiza- tion and admission as a State sustain that rule, but the newly prepared journal of the Dunsmore House recognizes this and states, not that the contestants were voting, not that the con- testants appeared for the purpose of being counted, but excludes them all the time, until after they were admitted upon a report of the election committee, and it counts only those who answered to the roll-call, and then counts a few who did not answer. It seems that while ten contestants are marked in the Duns- more journal as present, but not voting, ten names on the certi- fied roll are wholly omitted. Any rightful reason for such omission does not appear. I cannot perceive any valid reason for such omission, even if ten certified members had their seats con- tested. Every person duly returned to a House of Representa- tives, and having a certificate, is a member thereof, whether elected or not, whether eligible or not, until his election is set aside. And this must be set aside by the House, not by the indi- vidual members before organization, not by any one memljer, not by any contestant, not by any mob. Before organization, a few members properly elected, meeting in caucus or otherwise 10-2 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. can not pass upon the "elections, returns, and qualifications" of the members of the House, to be thereafter organized. If one member, before organization, can object to any other member duly returned and having a certificate, then all members can be objected to, and there could be no one left to organize any House. In McCrary on Elections (2d Ed.) , Section 204, the law is thus stated : Where two or more persons claim the same office, and where a judicial investigation is required to settle the contest upon the merits, it is often necessary to determine which of the claimants shall be permitted to qualify and to exercise the functions of the office pending such investigation. If the office were to remain vacant pending the contest, it might frequently happen that the greater part of the term would expire before it could be filled ; and thus theinterests of the people might suffer for the want of a public officer. Besides, if the mere institution of a contest were deemed suffi- cient to prevent the swearing in of theperson holding the usual credentials, it is easy to see that very great and serious injustice might be done. If this were the rule, it would only be necessary for an evil-disposed person to con- test the right of his successful rival, and to protract the contest as long as possible, in order to deprive the latter of his office for at least a part of the term. And this might be done by a contest having little or no merit on his side, for it would be impossible to discover, in advance of an investigation, the absence of merit. And again, if the party holding the ordinary creden- tials to an office could be kept out of the office by the mere institution of a contest, the organization of^ a legislative body— such, for example, as the House of Representatives of the United .States — might be altogether pre- vented, by instituting contests against a majority of the members, or, what is more to be apprehended, the relative strength of political parties in such a body might be changed, by instituting contests against members of one or the other of such parties. These considerations have made it necessary to adopt and to adhere to the rule, that the person holding the ordinary cre- dentials shall be qualified and allowed to act pending a contest and until a decision can be had on the merits. A UNIVERS.M, PRACTICE. Now, why shotlld not this principle be followed? Why should not this rule, which is universal throughout the States of this Union and which is accepted and adopted by Congress, be fol- lowed in the State of Kansas ? It has history to sustain it ; it has the wisdom of long years of legislative experience to stistain it; it has reason to sustain it. And let me here remark that in every State of this Union where, throtigh political excitement or per- sonal contests, a different rule has been adopted, disturbance and violence and almost bloodshed have always occurred. You take Alabama, where they attempted to hold two independent Houses, and disastrotts consequences followed, until public opinion com- pelled those two bodies to meet together and act in harmony. You take Montana, where they attempted to disregard this well- settled rule, and distttrbance and conflict occtirred. You take Maine, where the State boards of canvassers refused to canvass the returns on file in the office of the Secretary of State as required by the Constitution, and bloodshed seemed at times imminent, but public opinion in that State compelled those two separate bodies to unite and act together for the benefit of the State, and not for the benefit of any party. You take the State of Kansas for the past three or four weeks, and will any one say to me or to yott that the variation of this well-settled rule or this LETTERS TO COl'EE!i\OR LEWELLEWG. 108 recognized practice of all legislative assemblies has conduced to the peace, to the quiet, and to the good order of the citizens of Kansas, or to the peace and good order of the legislative assembly of the State ? Then why not, if this co^irt has the power, — and I will come to that hereafter, — why not, if this court has the power, say that it will recognize, if it can do so, that House which has followed the usual and ordinary practice of all legislative assem- blies in organizing ? HOW A QUORUM WAS SECURED. The journal of the Dunsmore House states the number of persons who were present and answered to the roll-call, and then states how many persons were present who did not answer and the quorum is made up — how? By counting the persons who answered to the roll-call. That is right — sometimes fifty- five, sometimes fifty-seven, and sometimes fifty-eight; and then by counting in addition, as the journal says, persons upon the roll who were present but did not vote. Can this be done? THE REED RULE. I know that very much is said about the prevailing practice in Washington in the House of Representatives under what is known as the Reed rtfle, and many persons who have not taken time to examine this question have said that under the Reed rule in any assembly, or in any Legislature, or in any convention, if persons are present and do not vote or answer to their names, the Speaker or the clerk may count them in order to make a quorum. It would seem to me that what is known as the Duns- more House, or the persons who prepared this revised journal, acted upon this theory, because in no other way could they count a quorum. But an examination of what is known as the Reed rule permits no such thing whatever to be done. The Reed rule was a subiect of investigation before the Supreme Court of the United States upon what is known as the Tariff Bill. It is reported in United States vs. Ballin, 144 U. S., page i. It appears from that decision that before the Speaker or the clerk counted any one present, not voting, that (the House of Representatives had expressly adopted a rule upon that question, and that rule is as follows • On the demand of any member, or at the suggestion of the Speaker, names of members sufficient to make a quorum in the hall of the House who do not vote shall be noted by the clerk and recorded in the journal, and reported to the Spepker with the names of the members voting, and be counted and an- nounced in determining the presence of a quorum to do business. The Supretne Court says that after the House adopts such a rtile, under the authority of the House itself, the Speaker may order persons present and not voting to be counted to constitute a quorum, but that court did not hold, in the absence of an ex- press rule, that the Speaker or the clerk, or any other person, could assume that those persons present in a House, who do not answer to their names on the roll-call, or who do not vote, shall, . 104 LETTERS TO GO J 'EN NOR LE WELLING. for the j^urpose of a ([uoruui, be counted as present. Therefore the co^intingof such votes in the record or journal of the Duns- more House has no foundation to rest upon. There is no pre- tense that such a rule as the Reed rule was adopted by either of the Houses. There is no pretense that the Speaker of the Duns- more House had any authority from the House to do what was done in this case. But more than that : The persons who were called and counted as present and voting, in order to constitute a quorum in the Dunsmore House, were never members of the Dunsmore House, never recognized Mr. Dunsmore as Speaker, and, according to the evidence of Mr. Dunsmore, each one of the bodies or Houses, after it organized, acted separately and had nothing whatever to do with the other. Speaker Reed never called, in order to constitute a quorum, the name of any person in the House of Representatives who refused to consider and recognize him as Speaker of that House. Even under such a rule as was adopted by Congress, he would not call the name of any person who had not recognized that body as the constitu- tional body, the legal House. ORGANIZATION OF THE DOUGI^ASS HOUSE. Let us now take up the organization of the two alleged Houses, first the Douglass House. There can be no reasonable question but that George L. Douglass, the Speaker who signed the war- rant of arrest, and Frank L. Brown, who attested the warrant as chief clerk, and C. C. Clevenger, the sergeant-at-arms, who made the arrest we are now investigating, were elected to their several positions by sixty-four members of the House of Representatives holding certificates of election, and that a majority of the one- hundred and twenty-five members voting for them held certifi- cates in accordance with the returns on file in the office of the Secretary of State. Mr. Justice Brewer, in delivering the opinion in United States vs. Ballin, said : The question, therefore, is as to the validity of this rule, and not what methods the Speaker may of his own motion resort to for determining' the presence of a quorum, nor what matters the Speaker or clerk may of their own volition place upon the journal. Neither do the advantages or disad- vantages, the wisdom or folly, of such a rule present any matters for j udicial consideration. With the courts the question is only one of power. The Constitution empowers each House to determine its rules of proceeding's. * * =:: The Constitution provides that " a majority of each [House] shall constitute a quorum to do business." In other words, when a majority are present the House is in a position to do business. Its capacity to transact business is then established, created by the mere presence of a majority, and does not depend upon the disposition or assent or action of any single member or fraction of the majority present. All that the Constitution requires is the presence of a majorit}-, and when that majority are present the power of the House arises. The Constitution of our State ordains that a majority of each House shall constitute a quorum. The House of Representatives consists of one hundred and twenty-five members; sixty-three is a majority and a quorum. When a majority or quorum are present the House can do business; not otherwise. A quorum LETTERS TO GO VERA OR LEWELLING. lOo possesses all the powers of the whole bod}-; a majority of which tiuorum must, of course, govern. If less than sixt}^-three members are present in the House, there is no quorum. The bod}- may adjoiirn from day to day, but can not elect officers, transact business, or admit new members. Less than a quorum can not "judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications" of the members of the House. A major part of the whole of a house is necessary to constitute a quorum, and a majority of the quorum, of course, as I have said, may act; but if the major part withdraw so as to leave no quorum, the power of the minority to act ceases. (Brow7i vs. District of Columbia, 127 U. S. 579.) Then, under the usual forms of law, under the universal prac- tice adopted in this State, and in all the legislative bodies of all the States of the Union, the Douglass House was organized by a legal and constitutional majority, as evidenced by the certificates of election. NO IRREGUI.ARITY. There has been some contention that there were irregularities in the organization of the Douglass House. Now, what was the irregularity, if any? The statute of this State provides that when the House of Representatives convenes, the Secretar}' of State shall lay before it a roll. Of what? A roll of the certi- fied members of the House according to the returns in his office. Upon the day that the House of Representatives met. Secretary of State Osborn went into the hall about an hour and twenty minutes after the members had assembled, with a roll ; the statute says he might have brought that in and left it. There seems to have been a contention there as to whether he should preside, and the Secretary of State, probably desiring no trouble with these conflicting interests, stepped out. All that Secretary Osborn had was a certified list of members from his office. When he stepped out, a member presented another. Somebody has said that that was dated the day before; it was a duplicate of the other roll. Secretary Osborn read his roll in this court and it was compared in the presence of the court with the roll certified the day before. There was no difference between those rolls. The provision requiring the Secretary of State to lay the list before the members is only directory. It does not prevent a legislative body from organizing. Of course, there might have been a little more formality about this matter; there might have been a little more order; there might have been less excitement; but when Secretary Osborn withdrew, another roll was pro- duced, a roll which everybody admits was a duplicate of his roll ; the House organized upon that roll. I have said that Speaker Douglass and the other officers re- ceived more than a majority of the duly certified members of the House. The Speaker of the House known as the Dunsmore House received no votes from the sixty-four members. There does not seem to be any reasonable contention about that. How many Mr, Dansmore did receive it is impossible to tell, because im LETTERS TO aO]E.RXOR LEWELLIMi. liis was a viva voce vote. Now, after there was a temporary organization of the Douglass House, Joseph Rosenthal, of Haskell County, was voted in as a member in the place of A. \V. Stubbs. On January I2th, Joseph Rosenthal, Stephen Meagher, and T. G, Chambers, all Democrats, appeared in the Douglass House, filed their oaths of office, and recognized the Douglass House as the legal House of Representatives of the State of Kansas. At this time, both Meagher and Chambers held certificates of election; the returns in the office of the Secretary of State showed that they were elected; therefore, since January 12th the Douglass House has been composed of sixty-six members with certificates of election, and also Joseph Rosenthal, who was admitted after its temporary organization, makingsixty-seven members — more than a majority of the House and more than a quorum as defined by the Constitution of the State. Under these circumstances, why was not the Douglass House a legally organized House of Representatives on the loth and i ith days of January, 1893? In this connection, it is significant that the Governor did not recognize the Dunsmore House until Jan- uary 12th, the third day of the session, and the Senate did not formally recognize the Dunsmore House until January 14th, the fifth day of the session. If the Douglass House was organized on the loth of January, and was in session on the i ith day of January, before either House had been recognized, why was not that House at that time the properly organized House? The Constitution says that the Legislature shall consist of a House of Representa- tives and a Senate. On the loth theGovernor had not recognized the Dunsmore House; on the nth the Governor had not recog- nized the Dunsmore House; neither had the Senate recognized either House; neither had the Governor recognized either House. Now it is conceded that a House of Representatives has other duties than mere legislative ones. Before it sends its com- munication to the Governor, before it sends its communication to the Senate, if it legally meets and organizes,is it not aHouse ? Has it not the right to protect itself? Has it not the right to issue sub- poenas? Has it not the right to examine those things which per- tain solely and exclusively to the House itself? Supposing in this case there was no recognition of the Dunsmore House by the Governor or the Senate, and the Douglass House had issued its warrant upon proper resolutions, could it be said the Douglass House was not the constitutional House because it had not re- ceived recognition from the Governor, or because it had not yet received recognition from the Senate? Up to this time, every- body admits that there might be some little delay about such things; it often occurs in legislative experience that one body is organized some days before the other. There may be conflicting interests about organization, sometimes in the Senate, but more often, of course, in the lower House. Now, the point I desire to make is this — and it seems to me conclusive and unanswerable — that if the Douglass House had a constitutional majority of the certified members upon the loth and nth days of January, then LETTFRS TO G01'/:h'i\0R LEWEIJJNG. 107 luring those two days it was the House, it was the legal House, it was the constitutional House, and had the right to do all those things necessary, outside of legislative matters, for its protection, for preventing disturbance, for purging itself of illegal members. It had the right then to punish parties for contempt, if they dis- obe3-ed its orders. Let us take an illustration : One hundred and twenty- five members of the Legislature meet together, and there is no conflict. They organize the House and the Senate is delayed in its organization and the Governor delays in answering its com- munications ; has not that House during the time of this delay all rights of the legal and constitutional House of Representatives? Has it not the right, the moment it is legally organized, to require order -within its body? Has it not the right, the very minute it is organized, to say to any person within its hall, who attempts to insult its Speaker or disturb a member, "We will lay hands on you, because inhering in this body is the power of its own protection"? It was decided in State vs. Hillyer, 2 Kas. iS, that : There is no coustitutional inhibitiou of the session of one branch of the Legislature when the other is not in session ; and, Senible, the separate action of one body may be valid in the absence or non-organization of the other. Then if the Douglass House was legally organized, and had a coustitutional majority, as I understand the law, it had the right to keep a journal before the Governor recognized it; it had the rightto keep a journal before the Senate recognized it. The journal of a legislative body commences at its very organization. The journal of a legislative House does not commence with the recognition from the Governor; it does not commence with the recognition from the Senate. If the Douglass House was legally and constitutionally organized, and was legally and constitu- tionally in session, is not the journal of the Douglass House, made on the loth and nth days of Jantiary, binding and con- clusive upon this court? This court has said that a journal properly made by the Legislature is such evidence. [Division oj Ho'cvard County, 15 Kas. 194.) I am uowtalking about the journal of the Douglass House made on the loth and nth days of Jan- uary, before any recognition of either body; before the recog- nition from the Senate or Governor of the House. Either we must say that the House of Representatives depends for its exist- ence upon recognition from the Governor, or depends for its existence upon recognition from the Senate, or depends for its existence upon the recognition from both of these, or else we must say that thejourual kept by the body that is organized is the conclusive journal to this court up to the time of the recog- nition of the other House. Then it seems to me that thus far in the case there ought to be no disagreement. Now, the Dotiglass House having been legally organized and having made a journal for a day or two before any recognition of either House, it seems that this journal for those days must be received as evidence for all it recites. As the Douglass House has continued in existence ever since los f.ETTERS TO GOITER NOR LEWEI.LINC. it was legally and coustitutiouall}' organized, its journal must import absolute verity, not only for the two days before recog- nition of the Uunsmore House, but during all of the time of its existence, unless it has in some way been ousted, destroyed, or dissolved. Clearly, if its legislative journal is good for January loth and nth, it is good for all time, if the Douglass House was legally organized and continued during the days of its journal to be a legal and constitutional House. At this time, without going extensively in the transactions of the two bodies, it is sufficient to say that the Douglass House has always met in the Hall of Representatives in the Capitol, where it has been usual and customary, since the erection of that hall, for the House of Representatives to meet and transact business. It is true that another body, called the Dunsmore House, with fifty. eight members having certificates, met in a portion of the same hall, and hence there were two alleged Houses in the same hall doing or attempting to do business. The two alleged Houses are the real cause of the contention now before us. If there were not, there would not be any trouble in this case, and there probably would not be this case for the court to hear and decide at this time. It is also clear that, so far as it could do business, it has carried on business. THE court's JURISDICTION. At this point it is urged with great ability and zeal that this court has no jurisdiction to pass upon the question of the legality of either of these two Houses — as it appears that there were two alleged Houses. Its right to do so is denied by the petitioner and by the able counsel who represent the Governor. As was said by Chief Justice Marshall in Cohens vs. Virginia, " It is most true that this court will not take jurisdiction if it should not ; but it is equally true that it must take jurisdiction if it should." The judiciary cannot, as the Legislature may, avoid a measure because it approaches the confines of the Constitution. We can- not pass it by because it is doubtful ; because it is unpleasant. With whatever doubts or with whatever difficulties a case may be attended, we must decide it as best we can if it be brought before us. We have no more right to decline to exercise the jurisdic- tion thus given, than to usurp that which is not given. Let us see what the authorities are upon this point. I read again from the able work of Judge McCrary. He says : The cases in which the official acts or votes of members of a legislative body who are such de facto only, and not de. jure, have been held valid, are all cases in which there has been no question as to the legality of the body in which they sat. They are cases in which the body admitting such persons was, in doing so, acting within its admitted jurisdiction, and in such cases the courts will not inquire into the title of such members to their seats. The courts in such cases will go no further than to inquire as to the legal status and the authority of the body; as a whole; but where there are two bodies each claiming to be the Legislature, then the court whose duty it is to respect and execute the acts of such Legislature must of necessity decide which is the Legislature. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 109 Then again : Under the Constitution of Maine, the IvCgisla- ture could propound questions to the Supreme Court of that State, and in a certain case the}' did propound questions, and this is what the Supreme Court of Maine said : When different bodies of men, each claiming- to be and to exercise the functions of the legislative department of the State, appear, each asserting their title to be regarded as the law-givers for the people, it is the obvious duty of the judicial department, which must inevitably at no distant day take up the question and pass upon the validity of the laws that may be en- acted by the respective claimants to legislative authority, to inquire and ascertain for themselves, with or without questions presented by the claim- ants, which of them lawfully represent the people from whom they derive their power. There can be but one lawful Legislature, and the court must know for itself whose enactmentsit will recognizeas laws of binding force, when brought judicially before it. In a thousand ways it becomes essen- tial that the court should forthwith ascertain and take judicial cognizance of the question, " Which is the true Legislature? " Now, in the 71st Maine, in a case concerning an office, — not upon questions submitted, but upon a case concerning an office which was brotight before the court in the regular way, — the court repeats the identical language used in the advice given ttpon the former occasion. • If it is the obvious duty of the judicial department to pass upon the claims of two legislative bodies or assemblies, then it is also the duty of the judicial department to pass upon the legality of two different Houses, both claiming to be the House of Repre- sentatives. It has been said that there are some views the other way, and a case from Pennsylvania is cited and a case from Georgia is cited. In the Pennsylvania case, the exact question as to the division of the Legistature was not before the court. If the court intended to say in that case that an injunction would not be granted against the supreme Legislature, this court would readily concur with it. If it intended to go further than that, this court then calls the attention of counsel to the fact that upon political questions, as they are denominated in Pennsylvania and Georgia and some other States, this court has heretofore differed from the courts of those States. THE MARTIN CASE. In the case which involved the late Governor Martin, the qtiestion was raised whether he could be compelled by writ of this court to organize a county in this State. Governor Martin had been advised that under the decisions of Georgia and Penn- sylvania and other States this court had no authority whatever by writ of mandamus or other pioceedings to give him advice or direct him in a ministerial matter. He came before this court saying that the court had no authority, under the decisions of several States, to inquire into any matter against him as Gov- ernor. This court examined the matter patiently and carefully. There were no politics in that case . The Governor believed his duty was one way, and this cotirt, after examining the matter, said that the rule laid down in Pennsylvania and Georgia, and in other States, was not the best rule and was not the one which 110 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. should be recognized. We referred directly to Pennsj-lvania and Georgia decisions upon this question. The latter were to the effect that the court can not compel the Governor to perform a ministerial act, that it can not touch anywhere his domain of duties of any kind or character. It is true dissenting opinions were filed in some of those cases, but it is the majority of the court that always rules. A majority of the court in Pennsylvania and Georgia held that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court had any right to inquire about a dutj^ of the Governor con- cerning any matter, whether ministerial, discretionar}-, or any- thing else. In the case of Blartiti vs. Ingram, fotind in the 3Sth Kansas on page 641, the decisions are cited. They are all gone over, and in a most learned and able opinion by Mr. Justice Valentine this whole question is examined, and, so far as that particular question was concerned, was then settled. This court differed from the Supreme Courts of the States of Pennsylvania and Georgia, and although the Governor of this State said, "You have no right to give me advice," and although it was said the Governor was beyond the powei; of this court, and that we should hesitate before we attempted to enforce his duties, this court unanimously went upon the discharge of its duties in the best way it could, and in response to the suggestion that the Governor would not obey, the cour.t^aid : It is said that if the Governor opposes theorder or judgment of the court, it cannot be enforcedj for, it is said, he has entire control of the militia. But are the courts to anticipate that the Governor will not perform his duties? Should not the courts rather presume that when a controversy is determined by the courts, the only tribunals authorized by the Constitution or the stat- utes to construe the laws and determine controversies by way of judicial determination, that the Governor, as the chief executive officer of the State, would see that such determination should be carried into full effect? Such would be his duty, and no one should suppose that he woiild fail to perform his duty when his duty is made manifest by jiidicial determination of the courts. Nodepartment should ever cease to'perform its functions for fear some other department may render its acts nug-atory, or for fear that its acts may in some manner affect the conduct or the status of some other department. In this case, we are not called upon to make any oraer con- cerning the Governor; in this case, we are not called upon to make any order concerning the State Senate ; we are simply called upon to exercise our' judicial determination as to which is the legally organized and constitutional House of Representa- tives. There can be no conflict; there should be no conflict. The court is answerable to the people of this State ; the Gov- ernor is answerable to the people of this State; the House is answerable to the people of this State. But again: In 1S79 the House of Representatives of this State associated with itself some persons above the number of one hundred and twenty-five. An act was passed by the Legis- lature; it was passed by what was called the House; it was passed by the Senate and approved by the Governor ; it was published in the State paper; and yet, when that act of the Legislature came before this court for examination, it said "that the House of Representatives had no lawful authority to pass LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. Ill the act," and it wiped it out of existence. There was no conflict between the Governor and the Senate or the House in doing this thing. Supposing the Legislature of 1S79 had passed every act by votes of that character, and they had been proclaimed and published, this court's duty would have been to have declared every such act void. de;fines the power of the court. It is said that we cannot find a line in the Constitution giving this court authority to pass upon this question of organization. It is the acknowledged power of this court to finallj' pass upon every act of the Legislature. It is the acknowledged power of this court to declare acts of the Legislature void. In the case in the 20th Kansas, the Francis case, there was nothing upon the face of the act to show but what it was a legal enact- ment. It was properly signed ; it was properly enrolled; it was properly published ; but this court went into the House of Representatives and examined its journals and ascertained that the House was not a constitutional body, and it stamped the so-called act out of existence. It had the power to do it, and that decision has been recognized ever since. Now it is said that the court cannot inquire by quo zvarranto into the right of membership of these respective bodies. This court said that, and I delivered the opinion in the Tomlinson case in the 20th Kansas, 692 ; but when this court has the ulti- mate right and dut)- to pass upon acts of the Legislature, it has also the right to pass upon the organization of the Legislature, or either or both Houses ; although it has no right whatever, after the Legislature is organized, to deal with any question con- cerning "the qualifications or the elections or the returns of the members." But it is claimed that the Douglass House has been destroyed or ousted by the recognition of the Dunsmore House from the Governor and the Senate. The Governor did not recognize the Dunsmore House until January 12th, the third day of the session, and I gather from the journals that the Senate did not formally recognize the Dunsmore House until the 14th day of Januar5^ the fifth day of the session. It is true it appears that the secretary of the Senate went to the Dunsmore House and presented some communications before that date, but he explains that it was not by order of the Senate", but because some of the senators asked him to do so. recognition by The governor and senate does not create A HOUSE. Now, the conclusion I have reached is that, taking the journals before us, the House that the Governor recognized consisted of fifty-eight members — not a constitutional quorum, not a consti- tutional majority ; the House that the Senate recognized con- sisted of fifty-eight members — not a constitutional quorum, not a 112 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. constitutional majority. It has been said that as the Governor must act in this matter, that as the Senate must act in this mat- ter, should not their actions be final and co-nclusive ? That seems to be one theory. If that is the correct view, the court's connec- tion with the case would be very brief. All we would have to do would be to ask: "What did the Governor do? What did the Senate do.?" I admit that for certain purposes recogni- tion from the the Governor should be considered ; I admit that for certain purposes recognition from the Senate should be considered. All departments of the government should pay all proper respect to the acts of all other depart- ments. The Governor, overwhelmed witli business, perplexed with the duties surrounding him, not having time to inves- tigate, recognizes a body which is not a constitutional body. The Senate passed a resolution to investigate, but, examining the journal, I cannot find any report upon that resolution. They recognize a body not a constitutional body. Is such a recogni- tion final? Is it conclusive? Does it bind this court? Is the end of the duty of this court to simply inquire what are the records in the office of the Governor and the State Senate? I admit that if, after such recognition, the Douglass House had voluntarily departed from that room and had gone their several ways to their homes, and that body of fifty-eight members had increased its membership in any way it pleased, by lawyers, by doctors, by anybodj^, and they had gone on and continued busi- ness without interference and without challenge, such recognition would have some weight. But that is not the case presented here. It even appears that in the State Senate there were able and distinguished members outside of what iscalled the minority party, who seem to think that recognition of the Dunsmore House by the Senate was not proper under all the circumstances. I find in the journal the name of Senator Taylor, of Wyandotte County; I find the name of Senator O'Bryan ; I find the name of Senator Dillard. If I read the journal correctly, these men seem to differ from the majority and not to agree upon recogni- tion at the time it was made. But the Constitution ordains that it takes a majority of each House to constitute a quorum. The Governor cannot recognize as a House a body which has no quorum, which is not a consti- tutional House. The Governor cannot create a House out of an unorganized or unconstitutional body, at his own will. He cannot abolish or destroy, by his order, any legal or constitu- tional House of Representatives. The Senate cannot_ create or abolish a House of Representatives. It cannot recognize an un- organized or an unconstitutional body as a legal-or constitutional House. Neither the Governor nor the Senate together can_ cre- ate, at their own will, a legal or constitutional House. Neither can they both abolish or destroy a legal or constitutional House. The House of Representatives is a bod}' authorized by the Con- stitution of tlie State, and for certain purposes is independent and sei)arute from the Senate or the Governor. Each House keeps LETTERS TO GOJ'ERNOR LEWELLING. 113 and publishes its own journal, each House establishes its own rules, and each-House is the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members. The legislative power of this State is vested in a House of Representatives and Senate, not in the Governor and Senate alone. IN NO sense; a de; facto house. But again : It is claimed that the Dunsmore House has be- come a de facto House by the recognition from the Senate, the Governor, the executive officets, and others. As I said a moment ago, if the House known as the Dunsmore House had full ana unlimited possession of the Hall of Representatives and the rival party had ceased its existence, the question of a de facto Legis- lature would have strong force in this case. There often comes a time in the conduct of all bodies and officers when, on account of public interests, irregiilarities and even wrongs are cured. But here is a valid and constitutional House attempting to carry on business. Every day of its session, so far as its journals show, the Doviglass House challenged the rightfulness of the Dunsmore House; it challenged the action of the Governor; it challenged the action of the State Senate; and the very first act of the Sen- ate and the Dunsmore House was seized by a court of this State and throttled out of existence. Although the temporary order of injunction was Hiade b}' the District Court of Shawnee County, until it is reversed or vacated by proper proceedings in this court, it is as valid and binding between the parties as the order of the Supreme Court of the State. This court must t»ake knowledge of all the usual and ordinary incidents which are transacted around it, and it is unnecessary to say that the challenge has been so successful that various bodies have divided upon this question, and there has been no acqui- escence and no general agreement among the people that th« Dunsmore House is a valid House. ANOTHER IRRELEVANT REFERENCE. We were referred to a case from Georgia. If we had a case of that kind before us, the question of a de facto government would be very strong. After going over all the matters connected with it, the court, among other things, says: In this case there was a hot dispute over the matter. Men honestly dif- fered as to the truth of the case, and the decision was made. It -has been acted upon for two j'ears by the people, by the executive, and by this court, until it has become an accomplished fact. — Railroad vs. Little, 65 Ga. 370. Whenever an act of the Legislature is brought into this court, which is not a violation of the Constitution, which has been acted upon by the people of the State for two years, and which has been acted upon by this court as a completed and binding enactment, a de facto law organization may come into existence. When such a case comes, we will decide. But there is no such case presented by the journals ; there is no such case presented by the argument; there is no such case -8— Ill LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. for us to pass upon. The Duusmorc House never had but fifty- eight constitutional members. It never had the legal power to create any more members. It therefore never had the legal power to enlarge its existence. So long as there is a legal and constitutional House of Representatives carrying on business in the identical hall where it is usual and customary for its business to be transacted, it seems to me that this question of z. de facto House of Representatives has not arisen to that dignity or acqui- escence worthy of serious consideration. Is it possible that a body consisting of less than a quorum, less than a majority, can be a constitiitional House of Represent- atives under any circumstances, whether by recognition or otherwise? It is necessary that a majority of members elected to each House, voting in the affirmative, shall be necessary to pass any bill or joint rule. No act, not having received a constitutional majority of the votes of the members of the House, can ever become a law. It is immaterial what the Senate may do, what the Governor may do. A constitutional majority of the votes of the House of Representatives is necessary for legislative action in any case. In the case oiThe State of Kansas vs. Board of Commissioners of Ford County, 12 Kas. 441, it was ruled that: Where the Legislature has seemiug-ly recognized the existence of a countj' organization of a certain county by passing an act providing for the holding of terms of the district court therein, but where such county, up to the time of such seeming recognition, never had any organization, de f^cto or otherwise, such recognition does not have the efifect to create an organization. THE DOUGLASS HOUSE THE LEGAL ONE. From all that we have said our conclusion is, and must imper- atively be, that the House known as the Douglass House is the legal and constitutional House of Representatives of the State of Kansas, and being such House, it has the power to compel witnesses to appear and testify before it or one of its committees in election contests arising in that bodj'. It has full power to pun- ish for contempt any witness who refuses to appear when person- ally subpoenaed in an election contest or other proper proceedings pending before that body. It has also the power to protect itself from disorder, disturbance, or violence. . A QUESTION ABOVE PARTY AND PARTISANSHIP. It has been suggested that we should hesitate to give an opin- ion in this case upon the legality of either of the contending bodies claiming to be the House of Representatives because un- pleasant complications might arise therefrom; and it has been even suggested that the Governor and the Senate will not find their way clear, after what has passed, to communicate and act with the legal House known as the Douglass House, and there- f'^re, as a result, that appropriations may fail; that the Governor's o.lkc, and all the other departments of the government, iuclud- LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 115 ing the judiciary, will have uo funds with which to transact pub- lic business. More unfortunate still, it has been suggested that the educational, charitable, and penal institutions of the State will be closed and the inmates discharged for want of money with which to operate them. I trust that such will not be the result. I assume that the Governor of the State is honest and patriotic ; I assume that the members of both Houses and the Senate are honest and actuated by worthy motives; and I trust that in the end there may be some way, as in Alabama, as in Maine, by which the legal bodies and the Governor can act har- moniously and unitedly. The questions involved in this case are above partisanship ; they concern the public; they concern the State, and party and partisanship should be wholly disregarded by each and by all. Let the mistakes of the past be corrected, and the unfortunate differences pass, without further comment, into oblivion. Let mutual concessions prevail, and then, per- haps, amicable relations between the belligerent and discordant elements may be restored. " He serves his party best who serves his country most." The gravity of the subject I fully understand. Certainly no constitutional or public question can be more solemn than that arising from the present contention respecting the organization of the House of Representatives. While I deplore the occasion which compels us to hear and determine this case, I feel con- strained by the imperative command of the Constitution, and by my own conscientious discharge of public duty, to declare these views irrespective of policy or expediencj'. Entertaining the views I do, I cannot consent to rob the highest judicial tribunal of this State of its constitutional rights, nor can I consent to exalt the executive or the Senate of the State above the demands of justice, of safety, or the welfare of the people. THE inevitabi^e; resui,t of the populists' method CLEARI^Y SHOWN, y But if all the unfortunate circumstances should arise which have been predicted, disastrous and fearful as they :nay bej we believe the consequences will be more unfortunate to the people of this State and put all the people in greater peril if this court should, by a majority of its members, declare and proclaim that the refusal of the Governor or the Senate, or of both, to recognize the constitutional House of Representatives wipes the House out of existence, when it is attempting to carry on its duties in a legal and lawful way — wipes out the House and takes from the people its most popular branch of the Legislature, that body which is closest and dearest to their hearts. If the action of the Governor and the Senate can do that now, then two years ago ^Governor Humphrey and the Senate, which was almost unani- 'mously of his own political party, might have recognized a minor- ity of the other House, and with such recognition could have re- elected Senator John J. Ingalls to the United States Senate and defeated Senator Peffer, and could have then carried on all busi- 116 LETTERS TO GOVE Ry OR LE WELLING. ness under the rule of recognition. If the present Governor and Senate may do this now, another Governor and another Senate may follow the example, and hereafter, ior all time, with the sanction of this court, the Legislature will be composed of the Governor and one House, recognizing and communicating with some other body, whether lawfully elected or not. The election of the second body will then be useless, unnecessary, abortive. Under such a practice we would have two Houses in name, but one only in fact. The one subservient to those that recognized it, but not independent and not representing fully all the people. Either we would have such an anomalous condition of affairs, or else at every organization of the Legislature, or of either House, we would have at the Capitol of the State the clash of resounding arms and the contention of armed forces. In such a case force, and force only, would rule, and not law. At such a conditicwi I stand appalled, and if a contrary doctrine than here announced be maintained, such a condition of affairs will follow. I commend to all who question the supremacy of the law, or the duty of complete obedience to the mandates of the court, the words and actions of the old Spartan. When Agesilaus, a Spar- tan general, renowned for all time, was, after years of desperate effort, upon the very threshold of success over his ancient enemy the Persians, he was suddenly recalled to Sparta to the defenseof that nation against 'the threatened assault of new enemies, but recently friends. Upon the instant he answered, obedient to call of country, and, leaving a field of operations pregnant with vic- tory,he returned to meet the call of duty. He sent this message : Agesilaus to (he Ephori, greeting: We have reduced part of Asia, put the barbarians to flight, and made great preparations for the war in Ionia ; but as 5'ou order me to return, I am not far behind this letter, andwould anticipate it if possible. I received the command not for myself, but for my country and its allies. I know that a general does not deserve or really fulfill the duties of that name but when he suffers himself to be guided by the laws and the Ephori and obeys the magistrates. And by this obedience, the historian declares, he demonstrated the truth of what was said: " That at Sparta the laws ruled men, and. not men the laws." Ill conclusion, speaking for myself alone, and not for my brothers on the bench, I adopt substantially the language of Chief Justice Agnew, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, when, with a courage and firmness worthy of John Hampden, in attempting to uphold the dignity and independence of his court, he said : On no ground of the Constitution, law, public justice, State policy, or sound reason can I discover any exemption of any officer in the State, high or low, from the common duty all citizens owe to ihe due administration of justice. I cannot abnegate a power entrusted to me by the people, and will return to them my commission, unsullied by any dereliction ofdutj", rather than to abase this court and pay obeisance at "the shrine of unwar- ranted power or unconstitutional authority. The Chief Justice then stated that Mr Justice Johnston fully concurred in what he said, but that Mr, Justice Allen dissented. LETTERS TO (;OrERyOR LE WELLING. 117 DISSENTING OPINION OF ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ALLEN. The following is a full statement of Associate Justice Alien, given orally, dissenting from the decision of Chief Justice Horton and Associate Jtistice Johnston. This opinion, as here given, has been revised by Justice Allen since it was delivered on February The questions involved m this case are perhaps of greater magnitude than those which have ever been involved in any con- troversy heretofore occurring in this court. It involves the con- stitutional powers rights, and duties that are distributed by the fundamental law among the several departments of the govern- ment. In our State, as in all other States, we have three great coordinate branches of government — the executive, the legisla- tive, and the judicial; each in its sphere is supreme; each is accountable to the people, and to the people alone, for its acts; neither can encroach upon the powers crranted to the other; neither can perlorm those duties which are entrusted by the Con- stitution to the other. In what I say in this case, I may premise that I speak merely from first impression. In my judgment, no opportunity has been afforded this court to fairly consider, as a court of last resort should consider, the great constitutional questions which are presented for our consideration. As stated by the Chief Justice, the judges of the court spent nearly the entire day of yesterday in consultation. The examination which we have been able to make, since the hearing in this case, of the authorities cited by the very learned and able counsel on both sides has been of the most cursory character. It must be apparent to any lawyer that the careful digesting and careful criticism of all the cases that have been decided by courts of last resort have been impracti- cable, impossible to be performed by the judges of this court; and what I now say, I reserve the right hereafter, when I shall prepare and file an opinion in this case, to correct any error that I may make in the opinion now expressed. HE AIvSO REVIEWS THE FACTS. This case is brought by a citizen of this State who is restrained of his liberty by one C. C. Clevenger, claiming to act as the ser- geant-at-arms of the House of Representatives, It was conceded on the hearing that if he were the sergeant-at-arms, armed with a warrant signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, that this detention is legal. This petitioner now asks this court 118 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. to discharge him from that restraint because of a waut of power in the Speaker, or the gentleman who, acting as Speaker, issued the warrant. Upon an inquiry so arising it became the duty of this court to pass upon the power of George L. Douglass to issue this warrant. - The court in a collateral proceeding is now called on to decide a question of right between two contending bodies, each claiming to be the House of Representatives of this State — and right here I may say that the very statement of this question in connection with an admission which was made by the counsel on the part of the respondents shows the peculiarity of the posi- tion that this court takes when it assumes to determine for its- self the questions that are so presented. It was conceded on the argument of this case that this court would not have the power, in an action brought directly by one of these contending bodies against the other, to decide and determine this controversy and to oust the wrongful body from the possession of the office of the House of Representatives and to place the rightful body in pos- session of the office. Then the power of this court at this junc- ture is but advisory ; it then has no power to go into the full merits of this contraversy and to decide it according to the very right of the matter. Controversies of this kind have arisen in times past, and it is to be feared that they may arise in times to come. It is necessary that the public duties should be performed; it is necessary that power should reside somewhere to speedily settle controversies arising between contending claimants to the right to exercise the duties of the House of Representatives. QUESTIONS The; court's jurisdiction. Has the Constitution invested this court with the power to hear and determine controversies of this character ? It was cou- ce(?ed on the argument and in the remark of the Chief Justice that the Constitution has not reposed that power in this court. Then I ask: Can this court in a collateral action do that which it cannot in a direct proceeding? It may be said that these questions must be settled ; it may be said that this court is now in an action of which it has unquestioned jurisdiction, called upon to decide this very question. The answer to this is, that this court has already been aided by a decision. We have not here before us a case of dual organization of the Legislature ; we have not here before us a case as in Maine, if I catch the facts of that case correctly — I have not examined it critically ; we have not a case of two Houses and two Senates, each claiming to constitute the IvCgislature, and that is what is necessary to make up a Legislature ; but we have in this case two Houses disputing each other's rights, and a Senate concurring with one of these Houses.- Section i of Article II. of the Constitution reads : " The legislative power of this State shall be vested in a House of Representatives and a Senate." Section 3 of Article I. of the Constitution reads: "The supreme executive power of the State shall be vested in a Governor, who shall see that the laws . are faithfully executed." The statute requires the Governor to LF/fTPlRS ro GOVERNOR LE WE LUNG. 119 do various things with reference to the matter of laws. He must, wheu the Ivegislature convenes, communicate to it such information as he deems necessary. He miist transmit what is known as a message to the two bodies. In transmitting that message, he must of necessity ascertain what is the House of Representatives. In the very beginning of the procedure of any Legislature, the Governor must of necessity find and determine what body of men compose the Senate. And in the performance of that duty, the Governor of the State of Kansas is responsible to the people of the State, and to no one else. The Constitution, the laws, and the people by their suffrages, have vested in him the power to investigate and determine, so far as his duties are concerned, what body is the House of Representatives. It must be conceded that no duty rests on this court in the inception of the proceedings of a legislative body to inquire and determine what body is the Legislature. But that duty does devolve upon the executive. We have also another body, the State Senate, also deriving its powers from the limitations of the Constitution, also deriving its powers and authority from the people who have selected the members. Upon that Senate the duty rests just as carefully as any duty that can rest upon this court. In the dis- charge of the duties devolving upon them, the senators are just as supreme, their heads rise just as high and no higher than the heads of the members of this court. That Senate in the dis- charge of its duties must communicate with the executive depart- ment of this government ; it must communicate with its con- current branch of the law-making department of this govern- ment; and where there are two contending bodies, each claiming to be the House of Representatives of this State, in the very nature of things the Senate must hear and determine the question as to which of these bodies is the House of Representatives. Possibly it may be digressing somewhat from a strict considera- tion of the legal questions in the case, and I hope I shall be pardoned for referring to the fact that I was in the Senate at the time of the discussion of the resolution recognizing the Duns- more House of Representatives. It is my good fortune to be acquainted with many of the senators, and among them men affiliated with the Republican party, lawyers of great learning and ability, whose opinions are entitled to great respect. In the discussion of that resolution from the Republican side, it was conceded by several of these learned and distinguished senators that if the Governor of this State had recognized the Dunsmore House as the legal House of Representatives, and if that resolu- tion should be passed by the Senate of the State of Kansas, that the whole question was concluded, that that was an ultimate and final judgment and decision of the power which under the Con- stitution and law of this State was authorized to hear and finally decide the question as to which of these conflicting bodies was the lawful House of Representatives. The opinions of these senators, it seems to me, are entitled to great respect. In many of the States, and under many Constitutions, the higher branch no LETTERS TO COrEk'XOR LEWELIJXG. of the legislative department, as usually coustituted, is the court of last resort. For inauy years the Senate of the State of Ne\v York was the ultimate court of appeals for the determination o) all law questions in that State. The House of Lords has foi centuries been the highest tribunal in England for the deter- mination of legal controversies. I do not knowthat at this time an\ such tribunal exists in any of the States, but when it is assumed that the Senate of this State is a body whose decision and deter- mination may be brushed aside as though it were not, and when it is assumed that the Executive of this State, the representative of all the people of this State, acting within the line of his duty, acting in the exercise of his discretion as the chief of the execu- tive department of the government, is not to be respected, and his deter:nination not only is not conclusive, but is not entitled to the respect of this tribunal, I am forced to enter my dissent and non-concurrence from any such expression of opinion. CRITICISES THE TRIAL. I shall not enter into an extended discussion of the facts grow- ing out of the organization of these Houses. In my judgment, much of the evidence which was introduced on the trial of this case was wholly irrelevant, and was such as this court should not have received. As to the exact boundaries and the definite rviles which should be laid down by this court for the determination of these questions, I do not desire to express any opinion, but shall reserve the whole subject for consideration when I file a formal opinion in the case. It appears from the journals of both of these Houses that a valid controversy existed, a bona fide controversj' existed, as to the rights of certain members to sit in that body. Much has been said by the Chief Justice with reference to the right of a body after organization to determine these controversies. I call attention to the fact that the journal of the so-called Douglass House shows that the controversy with reference to the case of Joseph Rosenthal was determined before any organization of the House, and it seems to me that when we adopt the rule that the returning board, the State board of canvassers, by the record that it makes in the office of the votes cast, by the certificates that it issues, may determine absolutely the question as to who shall constitute the House of Representatives of this State, that we adopt a far more dangerous rule than the riile that is contended for by the other side, that the House of Representatives which shall be recognized by the Executive, which shall be recognized by the Senate, shall be the House, rather than that which has been created by the State returning board, if I may use the expression. Now it appears by the journal of this so-called Doug- lass House that at least two members of the sixty-four certified members were ineligible to sit in the House, were just as much disqualified from taking any part in the organization of that House as though they had been ahen enemies, as though thej' had been regular officers of the army of the United States. The Constitu LETTERS TO GOVER.XOR LEU'ELI.INC. 121 tiou, which is the supreme law and to which every department of the government must bow and must yield its unquestioned and unquestioning obedience, expressly says that no person holding an}' office under the government of the United States shall be eligible to a seat in the Legislature. That, as construed by the courts of California, Nevada, Indiana, and of other States, means that they are incapable of being chosen ; that it is beyond the power of the people to select and make a representative of a per- son who holds office under the United States. It is contended also on the other side, and possibly I speak outside of the record, although I think it appears in the journal of the Dunsmore House, — I have not had an opportimity to make a critical examin- ation of those journals, — but I know it is contended that one gen- tleman appeared in the Douglass House who was not a resident of the State of Kansas. If so, he clearly had no right to take part in the organization of the Legislature. We know in the early days of this State, and in the early troubles of this State, what occurred when those who resided outside of the borders of the State undertook to take a part in the affairs of the State. Now, while we are considering the dangers, while we are con- sidering these great quest'ons which involve orderly constitu- tional government, we need not shiit our eyes to either one side or the other. We must look all these matters fairly in the face. It is to be assumed that men who are entrusted with authority will act honestly and uprightly; they ought to; all the members of every legislative body ought on all occasions to act with due regard to their oaths of office; with due regard to the duty that is imposed upon them as such officers; and when we assume in the consideration of any case that an oOcer or any body of men, in the performance of any duty which devolves on them by the Constitution and the laws, will act wrongfully and fraudulently, when we entertain any such presumption, we are entertaining a presumption that our much-boasted system of free government is a failure. The presumption as declared by this court in very many instances is that every officer, every body of men, will act honestly and uprightly, will discharge the duty that devolves on them under the Constitution and the laws, and the presumption in this case is, that the Executive of this State and the Senate of this State have discharged their duties fairly and honestly. PROTESTS AGAINST OVERRULING THE GO\T!;rNOR AND SENATE. Now we are called on in a collateral proceeding to overturn the action of the Executive ; to overturn the action of the Senate, to overturn a legislative body of this State which has continued from the lotli day of January' down to this time, and merely on a view entertained by the members of this court as to the force and effect of certain certificates as evidence of the right of members of that body to participate in its proceedings. We are asked to overturn the result of all the deliberations of the Senate ct ihib State, all the deliberations of the Executive of this State, with reference to the legislation which has been passed. Ought 122 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WE LUNG. this court to lightly do so? Ought this court to do so on a brief and hasty consideration of a case of this sort, in a collateral pro- ceeding where neither of these contending bodies has a right to be heard ? Something was said by the Chief Justice with reference to the effect of the decision made by Judge Hazen, of the district court of this count}^ in determining this question. The scope and effect of that decision is simply to restrain the Treasurer of this State from paying out any money under the appropriation iintil such time as that case can be fully tried and determined on its merits. That is the whole scope and effect of the decision, and while that order is binding until it is set aside, while there is no question as to its binding effect upon the Treasurer of this State, as a decision of the question as to which of these bodies is the legal House of Representatives, I most respectfully say that I do not regard it as a final decision at all upon that question, or hav- ing the force and effect of a judicial determination of that question. The time given by the Constitution to the Legislature for the performance of its duties has nearly expired ; that is, the time for which members can receive pa}^ We have the spectacle of an Executive, a Senate, and a House of Representatives working in conjunction, passing appropriation bills, passing the various ben- eficial legislation demanded by the people of this State. The duties of all of these bodies have been nearly all performed. It must be evident to anyone who considers the question for a mo- ment that it will be impractical for these two bodies, the Doug- lass House and the Senate, to come together in such relations with each other as to perform the fuuctious of the Legislature during this session — during the brief period that now remains. It seems to me that the force and effect of this decision must necessarily be that this State is without legislation this winter, and that such conclusion is reached by a collateral decision in this case. Did the Constitution, did the framers of the Constitu- tion, did the people of this State who adopted it, contemplate that after the Legislature had been in session nearly its entire limit, after the Governor of the State, and all of the executive departments of the State, after even the official State paper, not allied in political sentiment with either the executive or the majority of the Senate or of the Hotise, publishing as laws the enactments of those bodies — that after all these things have occurred, did the framers of this Constitution intend that this court might then step in and brush it all away as a mere phan- tasm, as mere nullity in a collateral proceeding? It seems to me clearly not. Before the Douglass House can restrain an}- citizen of his lib- erty, it must be the House of Representatives ; it must be in the discharge of the functions of the House of Representatives. This warrant was issued on the thirteenth daj* of P'ebruary. It tpa* issued, after laws had been enacted, or attempted, at least, to l»e enacted, by the House and the Senate, and had been approved LETTERS TO GOJE.RXOR LEWELLTXC. I2g by the Goveruor ana had been published iu the official State paper. They had been filed iu the office of the Secretary of State, had received all the formal sanctions that the Constitution requires in order to make them effective as rules of action iu thi"? State. Then this House presided over by Mr. Doviglass un- dertakes to exercise the power of a House of Representatives and to restrain a citizen of his liberty. The question here presented is not so mtich a question whether the Duusmore House was in fact the House of Representatives, as it is a question whether the Douglass House was iu fact the House of Representatives. How can it be said that a body of men whom the Governor of this State refuses to recognize as the House of Representatives, whom the Senate refuses to recognize, whom all the executive departments of the State refuse to recognize, can be a de facto House of Representatives? How can it be said that any officer who undertakes to discharge the duties of an office, who is not regarded as such officer by any department of the government with which he seeks to do business, who cannot effectually carry out any duties devolving upon him as such officer, who cannot effectively perform any act as such officer, how can it be said that he is a de facto officer ? De facto means in fact ; it means in the actual exercise and discharge of the duties of the office. Now, something has been said in reference to the right of the House of Representatives to do some things prior to its recog- nition, prior to any intercourse with any of the other branches of the government. It may be conceded for the purposes of this case, in my judgment, that these things may be done by the House ; yet we do not have a fully organized Legislature, within the meaning of the Constitution, until we have the bodies acting in concurrence with each other. It is true they are separate and distinct iu the exercise of their duties as separate Houses, but they together form the Legislature of the State of Kansas. Where there are two Houses acting together as the Legislature of the State of Kansas, it seems to me an absurdity to say that there can be another House of Representatives. When a constitutional quorum — and I might say here that I fail to find iu the journal of the Douglass House (and that is the only House we have to deal with here), I fail to find in the journal of the Douglass House prior to the time that these other two members took their seats, even according to the showing made in this journal, I fail to find a constitutional quorum of men who were authorized to sit in the Legislature. There are at least two of the sixty-four members who claim the right to participate iu the organization of the House who were clearly disqualified under the Constitution, whom it is admitted here were postmasters on the 31st day of December last. That leaves the House without a constitutional quorum if there be any force in that proposition. Yet, I do not take the position that a constitutional quorum must necessarily have voted iu favor of the officers who were elected toy the House, nor, of course, do I take the position that it was 12 i Liirrjh's TO coii'hW'OR ir.]\-f:]jjx(.. iucompelent for less tlian a constitutional (|Uoruni to adjdnrn from day to daj'. RECOGNITION CKKAXKS A JiOUSK, HJ^^ SAVS. It seems to me, however, that this rule is settled from this consideration : that prior to the time of the issuing of this writ, a sufficient number of men who were recognized by their fellows as entitled to seats in the Legislature were occupying seats in the Dunsmore House and voted for half a dozen laws that were enacted and received the concurrence of the Senate and the ap- proval of the Governor. That, in my judgment, made a. de facto House of Representatives; and when that body of men received the recognition of all the other departments of this State, it seems to me that we had then a government in fact of this State, with all its parts completed. We had a government that had heads of all the executive departments; we had a Senate that had unques- tioned authority ; we had a House recognized by all of the depart- ments of the government that, under the Constitution of this State, were called upon to recognize it. It is true it had no recognition from this court,' but the Constitution of the State gives this court no power to inquire. The ConsUtvition gives to this court no right to inquire into any legislative body and to determine who are entitled to sit there; and in so far as I have commented upon these facts, in my judgment, I have commented on matters which do not properly come before this court. The provisions of the Constitution are clear and explicit that each body of the Legislature shall be the sole and exclusive judge of the election and qualifications of its members. It is a matter with which the judiciary has no concern, It cannot reach its hands into either of these bodies; it cannot bring before it the members of either of these bodies for examination here with reference to any matter that is pending in any election contro- versy in either of those houses. It seems to me that most mischievous consequences must necessarily ensue from the position taken by the majority of the members of this court, and that the decision by that majority is practically the decision that the judiciary is supreme and is above both the Legislature and the Executive. I have no criticism to make on the suggestion that it is the duty of the judiciary to determine wherein the law-making power may have transcended its authority in the passage of laws. I have no qiiestion that this tribunal may say to the Legislature or to the Governor, "You have overstepped the boundaries of your power as defined by the Constitiition of this State." But this court has no power to go behind the authority of these bodies to act as such bodies, and to say to any body of men that is acting as a House of Representatives in conjunction with the other departments of the goverment, "You are not a department of the government; you are interlopers." It has no right to step in, when three branches of this government concur in the trans- action of business of this State, and say, "We will withdraw from LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 125 tliis government one of its constituent parts and thereby make the whole structure tumble to its fall; we will thereby destroy all that you have builded up." For these reasons, and for others, I am forced, though with much hesitancy, and though with great dislike to do so, to dis- sent, and to radically dissent, from the views entertained by the majority of this court. To BB REMANDED. The Chief Justice then said: "The court will make an order that the petitioner in this case be remanded to the custody of the sergeant-at-arms, and that, in accordance with the bond he has filed here, he will obey its provisions and deliver himself up." 126 LETTERS 10 GOVERNOR LE WELLING. REPLY OF THE FIFTEEN REPUBLICAN SENATORS TO JUSTICE ALLEN'S STATEMENT IN HIS OPINION. To the People of Kansas: In the rendition of his decision, as Associate fustice of the Supreme Court, upon the question as to which was the legal House of Representatives, Justice Allen used the followi ng language : Possibly it may be digressing" somewhat from a strict consideration of the legal questions in the case, and I hope I shall be pardoned for referring to the fact that I was in the Senate at the time of the discussion of the reso- lution recognizing the Dunsmore House of Representatives. It is ray good fortune to be acquainted with many of the senators, and among them men affiliated with the Republican party, lawyers of great learning and ability, whose opinions are entitled to great respect. In the discussion of that res- olution from the Republican side it was conceded by several of these learned and distinguished senators that if the Governor of this State had recog- nized the Dunsmore House as the legal House of Representatives, and if that resolution should be passed by the Senate of the .State of Kansas, that the whole question was concluded; that that was an ultimate and final judg- ment and decision of the power which, under the Constitution and law of this State, was authorizea to hear and finally decide the question as to which of these conflicting bodies was the lawful House of Representatives. The opinions of these senators, it seems to me, are entitled to great respect. Were this statement true, it would certainly be a remarkable statement for a high judicial officer to incorporate in, and make a part of, a judicial opinion. The undersigned Republican members of the Kansas State Senate do declare in the most emphatic manner that the above quotation from Judge Allen's opinion is utterly without founda- tion in fact. No such words were^ uttered by any Republican senator, nor anything that could by any possibility be so con- strued. On the contrary, the Republican senators firmly main- tained at all times that recognition by the Governor and Sen- ate could not have any bearing upon the legality of the question involved. ( Signed ) S. T. Danner, Thirtieth District. D. McTaggart, Twelfth District. H. F. ROBBINS, Eighteenth District. Jno. C. Carpenter, Thirteenth District. LuciEN Baker, Third District. J.D.Williamson, First District. W. E. Sterne, Seventeenth District. W. A. Morgan, Twenty-third District. John M. Price, Second District. Chas. F. Scott, Fourteenth District, Milton Brown, Thirty-eighth District. K. E. WiLLCOCKSON, Thirty-ninth District. J. W. Parker, Sixth District. E. T. MetcalE, Seventh District. vS. O. Thacher, Fifth District. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 127 FOUR IMPORTANT DECISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT. Affecting the Membership of the House of Represent- atives OF 1893. First, the Coffey County case, in which the tie vote between T. C. Ballinger, Republican, and O. M. Rice, Populist, as it was certified by the State canvassing board, had been settled by draw- ing lots; Mr. Ballinger, Republican, being declared entitled to the certificate of election as representative of the 32d district. Mr. O. M. Rice sought by mandamus to compel the board of canvassers of Coffey Coiinty to reconvene and recanvass the returns of a cer- tain township, claiming that there had been an error of one vote in his favor. The writ prayed for was refused by the court. Second, the Jackson County case, which involved the seat of the representative of the 38th district. Mr. Nick Kline, Repub- lican, had received 956 votes, Mr. Ed. Shellabarger, Populist, had received 766 votes, and Mr. Moses Sarbach, Democrat, had received 87 votes. Mr. Shellabarger sought to have the declara- tion of the State canvassing board, that Mr. Nick Kline was elected, set aside for the reason that the town of Holton, -which forms a part of the 38th district, had not been mentioned in the last apportionment act, and therefore the votes of those citizens living in Holton should not be counted. The court sustained the action of the canvassing board. Third, the Republic County case, which concerned the legality of Mr. J. M. Foster's election as representative of the 6ist district. Mr. J. W. Wilds, Populist, asked the court to declare him elected instead of J. M. Foster, Republican, becatise 472 votes cast for Mr. Foster gave the district as the 73d when the ballot should have read 6ist. The present 6ist district was formerly the 73d, and as the error was plainly a clerical one, the present 73d dis- trict being in Kingman County, more than one hundred miles south of the present 6ist district in Republic County, the court refused to recognize the error as invalidating Mr. Foster's election. 128 LETTERS TO GOl'ERNOR LEWELLING. Fourth, the Haskell County case, iu which the returns of the county clerk .to the State canvassing board showed that Mr. A. W. Stubbs, Republican, had received 156 votes, and Mr. Joseph Rosenthal, Democrat, had received 123 votes. The canvassing board upon the face of the returns issued Mr. Stubbs the certifi- cate of election as representative of the l2ist district. Mr. Rosenthal asked the court to declare him elected on the ground that there was a clerical error on the part of the county clerk in transposing the votes; that he had received the 156 and Mr. Stubbs had received the 123 votes. While the court, as well as all citizens, recognized the statement of Mr. Rosenthal as true, the court refused to reconvene the State canvassing board, as the application was not made until the board had adjourned sine die. It is ajipropriate here to state that Mr. Rosenthal endorsed the decision of the court as the only one that could legally be made. In none of these four cases was there a single charge or an attempt to prove that the State canvassing board had committed any fraud or acted unfairly in canvassing the vote or in issuing the certificates. THE COFFEY COUNTY CASE. RICE VS. BOARD OF CANVASvSERS OF COFFEY COUNTY ET AL. (Supreme Court of Kansas, January 7, 1893.) Mandamus to Election Officers^Recanvassing Votes — Delay in Application — Discretion of Court. Where a candidate for representative in the State Legislature brings an action of mandamus to compel the board of canvassers of a county to reconvene and recanvass the returns from a certain township; and to make a corrected abstract, crediting him with 96 votes, — one more than was given to him by the first canvass, — and it appears by the certificate in the poll books, made by the judges and clerks of election, that he received 96 votes in that township, but it also appears from the enumeration of votes on the tally sheets, w-hich were included in tlie poll books, that he only received 95 votes, which is corroborated by the duplicate poll books retained in the township, and it appears by these and other evidence that he did not actu- ally receive but 95 votes inthat township, and where it further appears that no complaint was made by him of the canvass until more than three weeks after the State board of canvassers had finally adjourned, and that the writ, if issued, would be fruitless- and unavailing, the court, in its discretion, will refuse the same. (Syllabus by the Court.) Original proceeding iti mandamus by O. M. Rice against the board of canvassers of Coffey County and others to compel defendants to recanvass the returns for member of the Legisla- ture, and send a corrected abstract of the votes cast for represent- ative in Coffey County. Writ refused. LETTERS TO GOJ'ERNOR LE WELLING. 129 W. C. Webb, G. C. Clemens, aud Frank Doster, for plaintiff. T. F. Garver, S. R. Peters, C. I. Long, and F. B. Dawes, for defendants. Johnston, J. This is a proceeding in mandamus, brought originally in this court by O. M. Rice against the board of can- rassers and the county clerk of Coffey County. He asks for a vvrit compelling them to reconvene, and recanvass the returns of the township of Avon, Coffey County, for member of the Legis- lature; to correct an alleged error in the iarst canvass; and to certify and send to the Secretary of State a corrected abstract of ihe votes cast for representative in Coffey County. The case was tried on an application for a peremptory writ, after notice had been given to the defendants. It appears that O. M. Rice and T. C. Ballinger were candidates for representative from Coffey County at the late election, and that when the county canvassing board met and canvassed the returns of that election, thej^ found and declared that each had received 1,826 votes, and a certified abstract of that result was sent to the Secretary of State. Since that time the State board of canvassers canvassed the returns from that county and found that there was a tie, and, having settled it as the statute pre- scribed, awarded the certificate to Ballinger. The plaintiff alleges that the canvassing board of the county refused to can- vass all the votes returned for him in Avon Township ; that, by the certified returns from that township, he received 96 votes and Ballinger received 68 votes; but that the board determined and declared that Rice onlv received 95 votes. He avers that if all had been counted, it would have appeared that he had a total of 1,827 votes, — one more than Ballinger, — and that, as a true and correct abstract of the votes had not been sent to the Secretary of State, the State board of canvassers could not declare him to be elected, nor award him the certificate to which he was entitled. The poll books of Avon Township werepresented to the court, and from them it appears that the footings and statement made in the certificate of the judges and clerks of election show that Rice received 96 votes in that township ; but it also appears by the entuneratiou or tallies entered on the tally sheet ofthe poll books, as the ballots were counted bj- the judges, that he only received 95 votes. When the canvassers met they decided that they would consider the enumeration of the votes upon the tally sheet, in determining who was elected to the various offices, and this was in accordance with a practice which has long prevailed in that county. What is called the "tally sheet" is bound in, and as a part of, the poll book. On the left-hand side ofthe sheet is printed the names of the officers voted for. To the right of the list of candi^'ates the sheet is ruled in squares large enough to contain five marks or tallies. The clerks entered a mark or tally opposite the name of each candidate for each vote read and counted for him by the judges. On the same sheet is a certificate made by the judges and clerks, in which the total number of votes understood to be received by each candidate -9— im LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. was written, and all included in a cover, marked " Poll Book." A meager description of the poll books and forms provided for tallying the ballots as they are taken from the ballot-box and read is stifficient. Substantially the same form of poll books and tally sheets have been in use for many years, if not from the organization of the State, and almost every elector is familiar with them. To the right of the name of Rice, votes were entered in 20 columns or spaces. In each of 18 of them there were 5 tally marks entered, by making 4 straight marks, and then by drawing a diagonal one across them. In one space, not far from the middle of the line of spaces, there wereonly 4 marks, with no line across them, and in the twentieth space there was but I mark. It appears that the judges and the clerks assumed that there were 5 tallies in each space, except in the twentieth, and so, without otherwise counting them, they decided that 19 spaces contained 95 votes; and these, added to the one in the twentieth space, made up the 96 votes, and they made their footing and certiiicate accordingly. As a matter of fact, only 95 tallies were entered on the tally sheet, and it was from the tally sheet alone that the judges and clerks determined the total niimbcr of votes that were cast, and in the manner described. One of the poll books, including this tally sheet, on which they made their certificate and return, was sent by them to the county clerk's office, and the duplicate was retained by the township trustee. We have examined both of them, and find that they correspond exactly in the record of Rice's vote. \Vith this return before them, the county board determined that Rice received but 95 votes, and made their canvass according!}'. From the poll books and the evidence subniitted to us, it appears reasonably certain that only 95 votes were cast for Rice in Avon Township. No objection against the coiint was made by him at the time, nor when the canvass was made by the State board, weeks after- wards; nor was there any protest from him until the commence- ment of this proceeding, long after the final adjournment of the State board of canvassers. It is urged that the tally marks constitute no part of the return, and cannot be used in determining the nvimber of votes. Of course the board must make its determination from the legal returns made by the judges and clerks, and cannot exercise the functions of a contest court. It is argued, however, in behalf of the defendants, that the statute contemplates there shall be just such an enumeration or tallying of the votes, aj the count proceeds, as was made in this instance. (Gen. St. 1SS9, pars. 2679, 26S0, 2684, 2687.) It is also contended that such tally sheets have been made and returned as a part of the poll books from the earliest history of the State ; and it is further said that the tally sheets have been recognized in several decisions of the Supreme Court, and this methodof making the poll books and ta]l3-ing the votes has been in i\niversal use for so many years, and been rec- ognized by all the departments of the State government, as to constitute a practical construction of the statute, — a construction LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 131 ■ which has generally been accepted and acted on by the people of the State. There is some diversity of judicial opinion in regard to whether the tally or enumeration of the votes entered in the poll book may be considered as apart of the return. In Missouri, which has a statute similar to our own, it is held that they cannot be used to verify or correct the figures or footings contained in the certificate. (State v. Trigg, 72 Mo. 365.) State v. State Can- vassers, 36 Wis. 49S, is cited as sustaining the same view. The preponderance of decisions under statutes somewhat similar to ours, however, appears to viphold the view that the tallyor enumer- ation of the votes in the poll books may be considered in veri- fying the returns, and that if a disparity exists between the foot- ings and the tallies, the latter should control. {Dalton v. State, 43 Ohio St. 652, 3 N. E. Rep. 6S5; State v. Hilt, 20 Neb. 119, 29 N. W. Rep. 258; People v. Ruyle, 91 111. 525; Simon v. Durham, 10 Or. 52; State v. Cavers, 22 Iowa, 343; Trueheart v. Addicts, 2 Tex. 221.) The writer of this opinion is inclined to think that the entries or tallies, made by the clerks in the poll books as the count proceeds, constitute a part of the return which may be considered by the county canvassing board in determining the result. The court, however, will not decide that question at this time, but will rest its decision upon other grounds. The plaintiff seeks relief through an action of mandamus, which, as has been generally decided, lies, to a great extent, in the discretion of the court. It should be allowed only to secure or protect a clear legal right, and should never be granted when its enforcement would work an injustice or accomplish a wrong. {State V. Marston, 6 Kan. 524; Peters v. Board of State Canvass- ers, i-j Ka.n, Ty6=,; State V. Stevens, 23 Kan. 456; People v. Board 0/ Canvassers, 129 N. Y. 360, 29 N. E. Rep. 345; High, Extr. Rem. ^40; I4 Amer. and Eng. Enc. Law, 97.) Has the plaintiff shown a clear legal right to be credited with 96 votes from Avon Town- ship? Would any contesting tribunal, from the evidence sub- mitted, give him more than 95 votes.? The enumeration entered in the poll books, and the one on which the judges and clerks relied to make out their certificate, and which they set up as a part of their return, plainly shows that he only received 95 votes. This return was verified and corroborated by the duplicate return retained in the township. An abstract or return b}' the county canvassing board showing that Rice had received 96 votes in that township, and 1,827 in the county, — a plurality of one over his opponent, — would apparently be an untruth; and to compel the canvassers to declare such a result, and assist him in obtain- ing a certificate or office to which he was not elected, would be a wrong and an injustice. F^urther, it appears that a vote was cast for "Barringer," and that it was not counted for Ballinger. The similarity of the sound and form of the two names would indi- cate that it was intended for Ballinger. [Clark v. Commissioners of Montgomery Comity, 33 Kan. 202, 6 Pac. Rep. 311; Behrens- ineyer v. Atcitz, (111. Sup.) 26 N. E. Rep. 704; State v. Foster, 38 Ohio St. 599; NeTcton v. Ne7ccll, (Minn.) 6 N. W Rep. 346; Coolev, 132 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. Const. Lim. 769.) If that had been done, Ballinger would have had a plurality of one vote, and would have been entitled to the certificate. There is another sufficient reason why the writ should not go. It is a fundamental rule of law that it will never be granted where, if issued, it would prove fruitless and unavailing. [Shcl- labarger v. Williamson , 50 Kan. , 32 Pac. Rep. 132 ; High, Extr. Rem. § 14; People v. State Board oj Canvassers, 129 N. Y. 370, 29 N.E. Rep. 345; i4Amer. and Eng. Enc. Law,io4.) Another canvass and abstract would be obviously iiseless. Rice alleges that, by the refusal of the board, he has been deprived of his 'right to receive from the Secretary of State a certificate show- ing that he was elected representative from Coffey Count}-, and this alleged right he now seeks to enforce. A certificate, if he is entitled to it, would serve no useful purpose at this time. He made no complaint, and took no steps to correct the alleged error, until more than three weeks after the State board of can- vassers had finally adjourned. That board, when in session, can- vassed the returns from Coffey County, which were executed by the proper officers, in regular form, and were genuine, and have been duly transmitted to the Secretary of State. It has just been decided in Rosenthal v. Board of Canvassers, 50 Kan. , 32 Pac. Rep. 129, that after the board of canvassers has canvassed all the returns, declared the result, completed its labors, as the stat- ute prescribes, and adjourns without day, it is/nnctns officio, and cannot voluntarily, or by compulsion, reassemble, or make any other or different canvass than has been made. No certificate can now be obtained by him, and if he has been wronged by the action of the county canvassing board, it can only be corrected by the House of Representatives. It was suggested in argument that he was entitled to have a recanvass made in order to furnish evidence of the true result for use in the contesting tribunal. It is wholly unnecessary, however, to invoke the mandate of this court for that purpose. The Legislature itself is vested with full power to obtain all the testimony which could be compelled by this court, and it is fun- damental that mandamus will not be employed where there is another adequate and suitable remedy. Our conclusion is that the plaintiff has failed to establish his right to the writ, and it must therefore be refused. All the justices concurring. THE JACKSON COUNTY CASE. SHELLABARGIiR VS. WILLIAMSON ET AL., COMMIS- SIONERS. (Supreme Court of Kansas, January 7, 1893.) M.\NDAMUS TO Election Officers — When Granted — Appor- tionment Act— Representative District — Intention of LEGISI.ATURE. Under the apportionment act of jSSd, Jackson County constituted only LETTF.RS TO (/OrA'AWOR LI'.U'EIJ.INC. 133 one representative district, mnnhered 4.;. Under the apportionment act of i8gi, it was divided into two representative di^^tricts, numbered 38 and 39. The thirty-eighth representative district included the city of Holton within its territorial boundaries, but the cit)' of Holton was not mentioned in the act. At the election in 1S92, votes were cast for representative in the thirty- eighth representative district, including Holton, as follows: For Nick Kline, 956 votes ; for Ed . Shellabarger, 766 votes ; for Moses Sarbach, 8r votes; and the canvassing board of Jackson County, in canvassing the votes cast in the thirt3'-eighth representative district, counted the votes cast in the citj- of Holton as belonging to such district. The votes cast outside of the city of Holton for candidates for representative were as follows: For .Shellabarger, 629 votes ; for Kline, 554 votes ; for Sarbach, 14 votes. Held, that it was, in all probability, the intention of the Legislature that Holton should constitute a part of the thirty-eighth representative district, and that the intention of the Ligislature should govern, although the}^ may not have used the most appropriate language to express their intention; that the Legislature could not create a representative district including a city within its territorial boundaries without providing in any manner for the city, and thereby disfranchise the voters of such city ; that to disfranchise the voters of the city of Holton would be a great injustice and wrong, and mandamus will not lie where its only effect is to aid in accomplishing an injustice or wrong ; nor will it lie to accomplish a useless or fruitless thing. In no event can it be considered that Shellabarger was elected a represent- ative from any district in Jackson County, and a party having no interest in the result of an action cannot maintain the action. (Syllabus by the Court.) _ Original proceeding in mandamus, by Ed. Shellabarger against Williamson and others, the board of county commissioners of Jackson County, and another, to compel defendants to recanvass the votes cast for representative of the thirty-eighth representa- tive district in the general election in 1892. Writ refused. W. C. Webb, G. C. Clemens, and Frank Doster, for plaintiff. T. F. Garver. S. R. Peters, C. I. Long, and F. B. Dawes, for de- fendants. Valentine, J. This is an application, brought originally in this court by Ed. Shellabarger, for a vi^rit of mandamus to compel the board of county commissioners of Jackson County, as a board, to reconvene and recanvass the votes cast at the general election held in November, 1892, for the ofHce of representative of the thirty-eighth representative district. It appears that the board, in its previous canvass, declared that for that office Nick Kline received 956 votes, Shellabarger received 766 votes, and Moses Sarbach received 81 votes, and showing that Kline was duly elected. The canvassing board, in its canvass, included the votes cast in the city of Holton, while Shellabarger claims that such votes should not be counted, and that by counting the others only, and not them, the number of votes cast for Shella- barger Avould be 629; for Kline, 554; and for Sarbach, 14; total, 1,197. The writ of mandamus must be refused. Under the apportionment act of 1886, Jackson County constituted only one representative district, ntimbered 43. Under the apportionment act of 1S91, which is now in force, that county is divided into two representative districts, numbered 38 and 39. The thirty- eighth district is composed of six townships, in the northeast ])art of the cottnt)', and contains about one-third of the territory of the county. The thirty-ninth district is composed of the remaining townships of the county. The city of Holton is not mentioned by name in the act. It is situated, however, wholly 134 LE7TERS TO COVER.XOR LEWELLING. withiu the territorial boundaries of the thirty-eighth district; and, so far as the map presented to the court during the hearing of the application shows, it is also situated wholly withiu the terri- torial boundaries of Franklin Township, which is one of the townships of the thirty-eighth representative district. Unques- tionably the Legislature intended to include Holton within the thirty-eighth representative district, for if it is not withiu that district, then the voters of the city of Holton must be, and are, disfranchised, so far as a representative is concerned, and it can not be sujDposed that the Legislature ever intended any such illegal and outrageous thing. Besides, if the city of Holton is not included within the thirty-eighth representative district, then such district will have an exceedingly small voting popula- tion (only 1,197 votes), while the surrounding representative districts in that county, and the counties of Pottawatomie, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Atchison, Jefferson, Shawnee, and Wabaunsee (12 representative districts) have an average voting population of over 3,400. Even with Holton in the thirty-eighth representative district, the district would have a comparatively small voting population — only 1,806. Probably, under the general rules for the construction of statutes, it should be held that Holton is within such district ; for it is a general rule of con- struction that the intention of the Legislature shall govern, whenever that intention can be fairly ascertained, although the most appropriate language might not be used in expressing that intention. If it were held that the city of Holton is within the thirty-eighth representative district, that would end this case ; for in that case the board of canvassers did precisely what was their duty to do, and Kline, and not Shellabarger, was elected representative of that district. Biit if it should be held that the city of Holton is not within the thirtj'-eighth representative district, and that its voters should be disfranchised, then it must be held that the canvassing board did not do its duty. We shall cite some of the authorities upon the construction of statutes. Where it reasonably appears what was the intent of the Legis- lature, the statute will be construed so as to effect that intent, although contrary to the letter of the statute. {In re Vanaer- bergy 28 Kan. 243, 258; Sedgw. St. Const, (2d Ed.) 254, 255, note; Chesapeake & O. Canal Co. v. Baltimore & O. R. Co., 4 Gill &. J. 152; Brozvn v. Somerville, 8 Md. 444, 456; City of Wichita v. Burleigh, 36 Kan. 34,42, 12 Pac. Rep. 332; People v. Insurance Co., 15 Johns. 358; Pond v. Maddox, 38 Cal. 572; Aviberg v. Rogers, 9 Mich. 340 ; State v. Boyd, 2 Gill & J. 365, 374 ; New England Car Spring Co. i'. Baltimore & O. R. Co., 11 Md. 81; U. S. V. Freeman, 3 How. 556, 565; Murray'' s Lessee v. Baker ^ 3 Wheat. 541 ; Gates v. Bank, 100 U. S. 239 ; U. S, v. Kirby, 7 Wall. 483, 486, 4S7.) statutes are sometimes extended to cases not within the letter of them, and oases are sometimes excluded from the operation of statutes, though within the letter, on the principle that what is within the intention of the makers of a statute is withiu the statute, though not within the letter, and that what is within the letter of a statute, but not within the intention of Ll'.TTERS TO GOlllRXOR LE WELLING. 1?.5 the makers, is not within the statute ; it being- an acknowledged rule, in the construction of statutes, that the intention of the makers ought to be regarded.— 5/a/5 v. Boyd, 2 Gill & J. 374. Statutes should be constriied with a view to the original intent and meaning of the makers, and such construction should be put upffn them as best to answer that intention, which may be collected from the cause or necessity of making theact, or from foreign circumstances, and, when discov- ered, ought to be followed, although such construction may seem to be con- trary to the letter of the statute. — Chesapeake & O. Canal Co. v. Baltimore & O. R. Co., 4 Gill & J. 152, approved in New England Cay Spring Co. v. Balti- more & O. R. Co., II Md.Si. Laws to carry on the government are to receive a liberal construction to effectuate the objects designed; and if the legislative purpose can be arrived at, in the absence of express language, that meaning is to be observed and obeyed, — Hardesty v. Taft, 23 Md. 513. A thing which is within the intention of the makers of a statute is as much within the statute as if it were within the letter, and a thing which is within the letter of the statute is not within the statute, unless it be within the intention of the makers, and such construction ought to be put upon it as does not suffer it to be eluded. — Peoplev.Utica Ins. Co., 15 Johns. 358. The meaning of the Legislature may be extended beyond the precise words u.?ed in the law, from the reason or motive upon which the Legislature proceeded, from the end in view, or the purpose which was designed. — U. S. V. Freeman, 3 How. 565. All laws should receive a sensible construction. General terms should be so limited in their application as not to lead to injustice, oppression, or an absurd consequence. It will alwaj'S, therefore, be presumed that the Legislature intended exceptions to its language, which would avoid results of this character. The reason of the law, in such "^ases, should prevail over its letter.— f/. S. v. Kir by, 7 Wall. 4S2, 486, 487. ^, If it shotild be held that the city of Holtv..! is not within the thirt^'-eighth representative district, then it must be held that the apportionment — so far, at least, as the city of Holton, and per- haps the district or cotmty, is concerned — is absolutely void. (Stale V. Van Duyiie, (Neb.) 39 N. W. Rep'. 612; Cooley, Const. Lim. (6th Ed.) 775; Attorney-General v. Board of Supervisors, II Mich. 63; People v. 3Laynard, 15 Mich. 463, 469, 471.) The Legislature had no atithority to disfranchise the voters of the city of Holton; and if they attempted to do so, or left it ottt inad- vertently, their act or omission would be void. If such an act or omission would render the district void, then Shellabarger, the applicant, would have no interest in any recanvass of the votes; for no person could be considered as having been elected a representative of a district which had no existence. Any recan- vass of the votes, in such a case, wotild be absolutely fruitless, and Shellabarger could obtain no rights under such a recanvass ; and a writ of mandamus will never be allowed where it can accom- plish nothing, or where, under it, the applicant can obtain no benefit. But if only the act or omission of leaving Holton out of the district would be void, and if the district, with Holton in it, is valid, then the board of canvassers did their exact duty, and Kline is elected. No one has any right to claim an election under the apportionment law of 1886 ; for that law was absolutely repealed, by an express provision of the statute, when the apportionment law of 1891 took effect. But even if it was not repealed, and if it were still in force, and if Jackson County is still the old forty-third representative district, still Shellabarger could not claim to be elected under that apportionment; for he did not 136 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING, receive a majority, or even a plurality, of all the votes cast in Jackson County for representative. Each of two others received a higher number of votes than he did ; to-wit, the aforesaid Kline, i^i the thirty-eighth district, and J. F. Pomeroy, in the thirty-ninth district. Kline received the highest number of votes for representative of any person in Jackson County. But, aside and independent of all the foregoing, Shellabarger has no right to a w^rit of mandamus. The allowance of a writ of mandamus is largely within the discretion of the court, and it is never allowed or issued where it will work injustice and wrong. Courts never lend their aid by mandamus, to perpetrate an injus- tice or a wrong, and it would certainly be a great injustice, a great wrong, — indeed, a great outrage, — to disfranchise the voters of the city of Holton, and to allow such a small voting district as the district without Holton would be, surrounded by popiilous districts, to elect a representative. This injustice, however, is, in effect, just what is asked for in the present case. It therefore follows, in any view M-e may take of the case, that Shellabarger is not elected ; and, whether the city of Holton is in or out of the thirty-eighth representative district, Shellabarger can have no possible interest in a recauvass. If the city of Holton is in the district, either because the Legislature intended that it should be in, or because the Legislature, in creating the district, and in sur- rounding Holton and including it within the boundaries of the district, and without otherwise providing for Holton, could not legally leave Holton out of the district, still Kline, and not Shel- labarger, was elected. If, by leaving the city of Holton out of all districts, the thirty-eighth district is void, then still Shella- barger could not be considered as elected, and would have no interest in the result of this action. If the old apportionment of i8S6 is still in force and governs, then Kline is elected, and not Shellabarger; and a party having no interest in the result of an action cannot maintain the action. The writ of mandamus will be refused. All the justices concurring. THE REPUBUC COUNTY CASE. WILDS VS. STATE) BOARD OF CANVASSERS. (Supreme Court of Kansas, January 7, 1S93.) EivKCTioNS FOR Representatives — Errors ix Bai,i,ots. In canvassingr the votes cast for representative in a county constituting' a single representative district, it appeared that some of the ballots were cast by voters of that county on which the district was designated by an erroneous number. Held that the erroneous designation should be treated as surplusage, and that all of the votes should be counted. (Syllabus by the Court.) Original proceeding in mandamus by J. W. Wilds against the State board of canvassers, to compel defendants to recount the returns from Republic County, and declare him elected repre- sentative, instead of J. M. Foster. Writ refused. W. C.Webb, G. C. Clemens, and Frank Doster, for plaintiff. T. F. Garver, S. R. Peters, C. I. Long, and F. B. Dawes, for defendant. LETTERS TO COVERNOR LEWELLI^X:. VM Johnston, J. This is an application by J. W. Wilds for a writ of mandamus to compel the State board of canvassers to recauvass the abstract or returns from Republic County, andupon that return to declare tint he had been elected representative, instead of J. ]\I. Foster, to whom a certificate of election has been granted. In his application he states, in siibstance, that he was a candi- date at the last election for representative of the sixty first dis- trict ; that J. M. Foster and L. M. Morris were also candidates for the same place; that at that election he received 2,064 votes, Foster received 1,682 votes, and Morris received 99 votes, and that the county canvassing board substantially found and declared that result; that the county clerk then transmitted an abstract of the votes to the Secretary of State, which, upon its face, shows thatWilds received thegreatest number of votes for rep- resentative in that district, but that the State board of canvassers, in violation of its duty, had found and declared that Foster was elected, and that a certificate had been issued to him. The abstract was referred to in the informatian, and was presented to the court at the hearing, and upon these two papers the right of the plaintiff to an "alternative writ, or to any aid through a proceeding in mandamiis, is presented to this court. Having this abstract before us, we have all that was before the State can- vassing board, and eve rv-thing upon which Wilds bases his right for relief, and hence we may now dispose of the case upon its merits. It is conceded that the duties of the canvassing board are mainly ministerial, and that they are confined to an examination of the returns made to them. They are required to give a rea- sonable construction to the return, and exercise intelligence and judgment in determining what it shows. All parts of it should be taken and considered together in determining the real result of the election. So considered, then, what is a fair and just con- struction of its terms ? It reads as follows : Certified Abstract of Votes Cast for Members of the Senate and House of Representatives, in the County of Republic, State of Kansas, at the General Election Held on the Sth day of Novem- ber, A. D. 1S92. Slate of Kansas, County of Republic, ss. I, R. H. Galloway, county clerk of the Countv of Republic, State of Kan- sas, do hereby certify that the following: is a true and correct abstract of votes cast in said county, at the general election held on the Sth day of November, A. D. 1892, for members of the Senate and House of Representa- tives, to-wit : for senator, DISTRICT. Name. P. O. Address. Received. B. R. Ho^in, Belleville, 2,145 votes. George D. Bowling-, " 2,054 votes. Geo. M. Simpson, Concordia, 103 votes. FOR REPRESENT.4TIVE, 61ST DISTRICT. Name. P- O. Address. Received. T. M. Foster, Courtland, 1,682 votes in 6ist Dist. ' " ' " _472 •• •• r.>d '• 2,154 J. W. Wilds, Mundcu, Kas., 2,064 votes in 6ist Dist. 3 " ■• 73d ■' 2,067 I,. M.Morris, . Unknown, 99 votes. 1.38 LETTERS 'I O COVEK'XOR LEWEI.JJXC. I'art of the tickets were printed giving- the miniberof the representative dislricl as the 73d, instead of the 6ist ; hence the vote for the two districts. In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of the county of Republic, at Belleville, this 14th 6.s.y of November, A. D. 1S92. R. H. Galloway, [seal] County Clerk. Stale 0/ Kansas County of Republic, ss. I, R. H. Galloway, countj' clerk, of the County of Republic, State of Kan- sas, do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the orig- inal abstract now on file in my office. In testimony whereof, I have here- unto subscribed my hand, and affixed the seal of the county of Republic, at Belleville, this 14th day of Kovember, A. D. 1S92. R. H. Galloway, [seal] County Clerk. Filed for record Nov. 18, 1892. Wm. Higgins, Sec. of State. It will appear from the abstract that there were 2,154 votes cast for Foster for representative in the county of Republic, but it is contended by Wilds that, because the abstract shows that 472 of them were cast for him as representative of the seventy-third district, they should not be counted. As will be seen, the abstract contains a statement explaining how the error occttrred. It is said that the explanatory statement has no place in the abstract, and should not be considered; but we think it may properly be regarded as a part of the abstract, and should be considered in determining the result of the election. It appears to be a part of the abstract made by the county canvassing board, which is now on file in the records of Republic County. Like the balance of the statement in the abstract, it precedes the certificate of the clerk, who certifies that all of it constitutes a true and correct copy of the original abstract on file in his office. A fair inter- pretation of the abstract clearly shows that all of the votes men- tioned therein were cast in Republic County, and by electors of that county. The county constitutes a single representative dis- trict, and the district includes all of the county. Every elector in that county was entitled to vote for a representative, and, as but one representative could be voted for in the county, can there be any question that all the votes mentioned were cast for the representative of Republic County, and of the sixty-first repre- sentative district? The officer to be chosen is designated in the Constitution as " representative," and not as the representative of a numbered district, and the addition of words which w^rongly describe the office should not destroy the ballot, nor defeat the manifest will of the electors. The ballot indicates the will of the voter, and when, in the light of all the stirrounding circum- stances, the purpose of the voter can be ascertained with reasona- ble certainty, effect should be given to it. So it has been held that a slight error in writing the name of a candidate upon a ticket, or an immaterial misdescription of an office thereon, will not annul the vote. The words "in73 Dist.," under the authori- ties, should be treated as surplusage, and the undoubted will of the voter carried out. {Clark v. County of Motttgomery.'^'h'^^'^- 202, 6 Pac. Rep. 311 ; State v. Howe, (Neb ) 44 N. W. Rep. 874; Inglis V. Shepherd, 67 Cal. 469, 8 Pac. Rep. 5; McKhmon v. People, no 111. 305; Newton v. Newell, (Minn.) 6 N. W. Rep. 346; Behretis- vteyer v, Kreitz, (111. Sup.) 26 N. E. Rep. 704; 5 Cong. Elect. Cas. LETTERS TO COVERXOR LE WELLING. V?,^ 190.) We are to take notice of the general laws of the State upon the question, and by doing so it is easy toaccount for the errone- ous description of the district. The present apportionment law constitutes Republic County the sixty-first representative dis- trict, and the preceding apportionment law made a portion of the same county the seventy-thirdrepreocntative district; and, as the abstract shows, some of the voters carelessly used the old num- ber in designating the office upon their ballots. But, as it would have been sufficient and legal to have designated the office "repre- sentative," without any number, the addition of the words indi- cating a wrong number.and one in which theelectorsof Republic County could not have voted, will not affect the validity of the votes. When all the votes are counted, Foster has a plurality of 87 votes, and is entitled to the office. We reach the conclusion, without any hesitation, that the State board of canvassers acted correctly in awarding the certificate to Foster, and, further, that the application of Wilds should be denied. That will be the judgment of the court. All the justices concurring. THE HASKELIy COUNTY CASH. ROSENTHAL VS. STATE BOARD OF CANVASSERS ET AL. (Supreme Court of Kansas, January 7, 1893 ) Mandamus to Canvassing Board — Contents op Writ — Power oe Board after Adjournment— Re assembi^v. 1. The courts have jurisdiction, in mandamus, to control a canvassing board, whether it be tov/nship, city, county, or State, if it neglects or refuses to perfoi in any act which the law especially enjoins upon it as a duty. 2. The writ of mandamus, whether alternative or peremptory, must not only show the obligation of the defendant to perform the act, but must also show bis omission to perform it. [Slatfv. Carney, 3 Kan. 88.) 3. Mandamus will not lie to compel an officer or a board of canvassers to do an act which, without its command, it would not have been lawful for the officer or board to do. {State v. Board of Com'rs of Kearny Comity, 22 Pac. Rep. 735, 42 Kan. 739.) 4. Where the county clerk of a county signs, authenticates, and trans- mits to the Secretary of^State, within the time prescribed by the statute, an abstract of the votes of a representative district of his county, cast f r a member of the House of Representaiives, although such abstract states incorrectly the votes cast for the candidates for such office, yet if the board of State canvassers, without any notice or knowledge of the error or mistake in such abstract, proceeds, in good faith, according to the statute, to exam- ine and declare the whole number of votes given in the representative district at the election, and from the face of such abstract determines that the person therein stated to have the greatest number of votes is duly elected as representative, and mo other abstract is presentedj or called to the attention of the board, from that county or district, during its session, such board discharges its whole duty in the premises ; and after it has finally adjourned its power is at an end, and it cannot reassemble or make a recount. When its dutj' is once fully performed, it is performed once and forever, and cannot be repeated. 5. After the board of State canvassers has canvassed all the returns fromall thecounties of the State, and declared the result, and ordered certifi- cates, as prescribed by the statute, and then, having completed its labors, adjourns without day, it is /««(.•/;« o^«o— officially dead ; and the courts have no power to compel the board to reassemble, or recount any returns, (Syllabus by the Court.) 140 LETTERS TO COl'EhWOR I.EWELI.iy C. Original proceeding in uiaiulaniu.^, by Joseph Rosenthal against the State board of canvassers of the State of Kansas and others, to compel defendants to determine that Joseph Rosenthal has received the highest number of votes cast in the I2ist representative district for member of the House of Represent- atives, and to issue a certificate therefor. Writ refused. W. C. Webb, C>. C. Clemens, and Frank Doster^, for plaintiff. J. N. Ives, attorney-general, T. F. Garrver, S. R. Peters, F. B. Davpes, and C. I. Long, for defendants. HoRTON, C. J. This was an action of mandamus to compel the board of State canvassers to convene, and determine that Joseph Rosenthal has received the greatest number of votes cast in the I2ist representative district for member of the House of Representatives, and, after having declRred him duly elected to that office, to issue to him a certificate therefor. The facts in the case are as follows: Joseph Rosenthal, at the general election held on the 8th of November, 1892, being eligible thereto, was a candidate for the office of member of the House of Representa- tives for the I2ist district, being Haskell County, for the term commencing on the second Tuesday of Januar}', 1893. A. W. Stubbs was also a candidate for the position at that election. Upon the face of the returns filed with W. H. Husse}', county clerk of Haskell County, after Ihe election, as prescribed by the statute, Joseph Rosenthal received 156 votes, and A. W. Stubbs 123, only. Subsequently the board of county canvassers of Has- kell County duly canvassed the returns, in accordance with the face thereof, and such determination was reduced to writing, signed by the commissioners and attested by the clerk, showing that Joseph Rosenthal had received the highest number of votes for the office of representative. Afterwards the county clerk made out and forwarded to the Secretary of ^tate an abstract of the votes for representative of Haskell County, but by accident or design — probably by gross negligence — in the abstract of votes transposed the figures, so as to show that A. W. Stubbs received 156 votes, and Joseph Rosenthal 123, only. This abstract, certified to byHussey, as county clerk, on the 12th daj' of Novem- ber, 1892, was sealed up by him in an envelope, indorsed and addressed as required by law, and then transmitted to the Secre- tary of State, who received and filed it in his office on the i6th day of November, 1892. The ^tate board of canvassers met for the purpose of canvassing the result of the election of November 8, 1892, as prescribed bythe statute, on the 2Sth of November, 1892, and continued in session from day to day until December i, 1892, when, having completed the canvass of all the returns on file with the Secretary of State, of the November election of 1892, they adjourned withoiit day. The certified abstract of the votes given in Haskell County for representative was examined by the board, and thereon a statement was made by them, showing that A. W. Stubbs had received the greatest number of votes for represent- ative, and was duly elected to that office. A certificate of such determination was ordered by the board, and was subsequently LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. Itl signed and issued. On the 19th day of December, 1892, about three weeks after the board of State canvassers had discharged their duties, and adjourned without day, an envelope addressed to him was received by the Secretary of State, without any indorsement to indicate that the same was an official commiinica- tion, which contained what purported to be a correct abstract of the votes of Haskell County for representative, showing that Joseph Rosenthal received 156 votes, and A. W. Stubbs 123, only, and attached to the new or corrected returns was an affidavit of the county clerk, stating that his former abstract was incorrect and erroneous, and also further stating that the new or supple- mental returns were the correct abstract of the votes in Haskell County for representative, cast at the election on the 8th of November, 1892. At the time that the State board canvassed the abstract of the county clerk of the I2tli of November, 1S92, the members thereof had no notice from Joseph Rosenthal, or any one else, that the returns were incorrect, or in any way defective. It seems to be conceded in this case that in canvassing such retiirns they acted in good faith. No misconduct is charged. After the supplemental returns were received by the Secretary of State, on the 19th day of December, 1892, no request was made, before the commencement of this action, by Joseph Rosenthal, or any one else, that the board should reconvene or examine the additional returns and affidavit of the county clerk. It was urged upon the hearing of this case, upon the part of the defendants, that this court had no jurisdiction to inquire into the matters presented, because the Constitution of the State ordained that "each House shall judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members." This court is not, in a proceeding of this kind, a contest court, and, of course, cannot go behind the returns, aud hear and determine whether Rosenthal or Stubbs received legal or illegal votes, or whether any frauds were committed at the election to the prejudice of either candi- date. But this court has jurisdiction, in mandamus, to control, in certain cases, a canvassing board, whether that board be a township, a city, a county, or a State canvassing board. In case the board refuses to issue a certificate of election to the person receiving the highest number of votes,upon a duly authenticated abstract on file in the office of tke Secretary of State, and the relief by mandamvis is withheld, the party aggrieved can have no remedy whatever to obtain his certificate. The person who has, upon the certified abstract, the greatest number of votes, is entitled to a certificate ; and this cannot be awarded by the Legislature, or either branch thereof. A certificate of election has some value. It is prima facie evidence of the election of the person holding it to the office claimed. (State v. Carney^ 3 Kan 88.) Where a canvassing board wrongfullj^ neglects and refuses to canvass returns which are regular in form, as a general rule, the courts ma^', by mandamus, compel the board to canvass and declare the result vipon the face of their returns; and if a canvass has been wrongfully or improperly made, and the board has 142 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. adjourned sin^ die, this court may compel it to reassemble, and make a correct canvass of all the returns before it at the time of the first canvass. (Leivis v. Commissioners, i6 Kan. 102.) If a person, upon the face of the returns, is entitled to the certificate of his election, except in special instances, where wrong or injustice will be done, the courts have power to reach the officers composing the delinquent board by writ of man- damus, and compel them to action, and, if necessary, may compel them to reconvene and recanvass. Therefore, if there was noth- ing,in this case but the question of jurisdiction 0/ this court, the plaintiff would be entitled to the relief claimed lay him. But it appears in this case, from the records of the board of State can- vassers, that the board on December i, 1S92, long before what purported to be the corrected returns from Haskell County were filed with the Secretary of State, had completed its labors, declared the result against the plaintiff, and finally adjourned. A writ of mandamus "may be issued to compel the performance of any act which the law specially enjoins as a duty resulting from an office, trust, or station." (Section 688 of the Code.) A want of a " plain and adequate " remedy, in the ordinary course of the law, is an essential prerequisite to the issuance of the writ, in every case; but an equally essential prerequisite is an omission on the part of the defendant to perform the act required of him. The writ, whether alternative or per- emptory, must not only show the obligation of the defendant to perform the act, but must also show his omission to perform it. — State v. Carney, 3 Kan. 90. If the board may be compelled to reassemble and canvass the returns of the election, it would seem that it might voluntarily do so. Mandamus is employed to enforce the performance of a duty; and, since it is a duty, it certainly may be performed by the officers without the comynand or com- pulsion of the court. _ It is held that mandamus will not lie to compel an officer to do an act which, \vithout its command, it would not have been law- ful for him to do. — Stale v. Board of Comers of Keartiy County, i,2 Kan. 739, 22 Pac. Rep. 735 If the board of State canvassers had discharged all of its duties, which the law especially enjoined upon it, before its final adjournment, on the ist day of December, 1892, then no writ of mandamus can issue, because there would be the performance of no duty to enforce. A canvassing board, having' once counted the votes, and declared the result according to law, has no power or authority to make a recount. When this duty is once fully performed, it is performed once and forever, and cannot be repeated. To suppose that it could be renewed, that the can- vass of one day could be repeated the "t-xt, and counter-certificates be issued to different contestants as new light or influence was brought to bear upon the mind of theclerk, would render the wholeproceding a farce. — McCrary, Klect. (3d Ed.) g 232. {Bo7uen v. Hixon, 45 Mo. 340; Clark v. Buchanan, 2 Minn. 346, (Gil. 29S;; State v. Donncaiirth, 21 Ohio St. 216; State v. Steu-art, 26 Ohio St. 216.) If a canvassing board, having concluded its labors, and finally adjourned, has no power or authority to reconvene and recount, the cotirts, under the provisions of the statute, cannot, by man- danuis, compel the board to reassemble, or give them any power so to do. It is, however, contended, itpon the part of Rosenthal, that as the statute requires the county clerk of Haskell County to make out an abstract of the votes for representative, and, after having been signed and certified to by him, to deliver the same, LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 143 by mail, to the Secretary of State, and as the first returns were not true, because they incorrectly stated the votes of each of the candidates, no valid abstract was received from Haskell County prior to December 19, 1892, and therefore, as no true abstract or re'^urns were received, this coiirt may compel the board of State canvassers to reassemble, and complete its work, by can- vassing the later, or supplemental, returns. If no abstract from Haskell County had been received by the Secretary of State before the final adjournment of the board, on December i, 1892, and if the State board had had no abstract or returns before them, from Haskell County, to act upon, it is possible that under the decision of Lezvis V. Conuuissioncj'S, 16 Kan. 102, mandamus would lie, upon the ground that only a partial canvass had been made. But that is not this case. Au abstract of the votes for a member of the House of Representatives, signed and certified by the county clerk, properly indorsed and directed to the Secre- tary of State, was received by him, and placed before the State board of canvassers during their proceedings in November. That abstract was incorrect, but it came from the proper officer. It was signed and certified by the proper officer. It was duly authenticated. It was not challenged or objected to. The mem- bers of the State board of canvassers had no notice or knowl- edge, at the time they were considering it, that it was incorrect or defective. Upon the face of the returns, they appeared to be in full compliance with the provisions of the statute. There was nothing in the returns, or in the manner in which they were transmitted or received, to cause suspicion, or to demand any other action thereon than usual and customary in such cases. The State board accepted the returns as truthful, passed upon them as such, and declared the result therefrom. It is well set- tled that the duties of canvassing officers are purely ministerial, and extend only to the counting up of the votes, and awarding the certificate to the person having the highest number. They have no judicial power. (Stafe v. Marstoii, 6 Kan. 524 ; McCrary, Elect. (3d Ed.) § 226.) As was said by Hoar, J., in Luce v. Mayhem , 13 Gray, 83: They are not made a judicial tribunal, nor authorized to decide upon the validity or the fact of the election in any other mode than by an examination of the " returns " made to thetn accordinjj to law. They are not required or authorized to hear witnesses or weigh evidence. They have no powci- to send for persons or papers. If one result appears upon the returns, and another is thereat truth of the case, they can only act upon the former. If they have not done their duty, the remedy of the person actually elected to the office is not to be sought in a mandamus. This court lias no power to direct public officers to do any more than their duty, or anything different from their duty. Considering aU the facts and circumstances of this caf e pre- sented upon the trial, as no fraud, wrong, or other official miscon- duct is imputed to the members of the State board of canvassers, or either of them, in receiving and counting the returns com- plained of, we must hold that they do not improperly reject any rettirns, or refitse to canvass any proper returns. When the board adjourned, on the ist day of December, 1892, the members thereof had fully discharged all of their duties; and it is too late now to 144 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. say that they can voluntarily, or by compulsion, meet again, as canvassers, to examine and pass upon the returns of the election of November, 1892. As a body, the board of State canvassers is functus officio — officially dead. It has no power of resurrection, so as to consider the returns of the election of November, 18 2» and this court cannot animate its dead body with the breath of life. Not only has its power in the premises ended, but its suc- cessors have no authority to reassemble, or act again upon the election returns. If it be said that this leaves Rosenthal without any remedy, and that the law, in some way, ought to furnish him a remedy for the wrong committed against him, we answer that, if this be true, it is the fault of the Legislature, not the fault of the State board of canvassers, nor the courts. But it is not wholly true. While Rosenthal may not obtain from the Sta*:e board his certifi- cate, yet he has a remedy before the House of Representatives, even if not a complete one. The jurisdiction of each House to decide uj^on the election, returns, and qualifications of its own members is clearly given by the Constitution and the statutes. That body, with the general consent of its members, can admit him to his seat at once, or, if it so determine, it can delay his admission until full investigation is had of his claims. It may, it is true, act arbitrarily, and refuse him rights, biit this is hardly probable. This proceeding, if successful, would have only given a certificate. The proceeding in this court is not a contest between Rosenthal and Stubbs, nor can we try the title to llie office. The House of Representatives has the exclusive power to decide who have been elected members to its body. Rosen- thal has already commenced his contest before that tribunal. The House has full and ample jurisdiction over the office, — the substance he is seeking, — even if it cannot give him a certificate, the paper title. If he has been elected representative, as it seems to be conceded, it should be the wish and desire of every honest and patriotic citizen of the State that the will of the people of his county, as expressed by their ballots, should be carried out, and that, as speedily as possible, he be permitted to occupy his place as representative. No party desiring the sup- port of the good people of the State can, for partisan or political purposes, refuse him his seat merely because the clerk of Haskell County has made a mistake in his abstract or returns. The clerk has attempted to make some reparation by filing with the Secretary of State corrected returns, with his affidavit sup- porting the same. Most certainly, if we saw any way in which this court, in this proceeding, could properly, and in accordance with legal principles, grant Rosenthal a certificate, we would gladly do so. Under the limitations of the Constitution, and the provisions of the statiites, we are powerless. The board of State canvassers, having finally adjourned, on December i, 1892, are powerless, and their successors are equally so. The House of Representatives can rectify the serious mistake of the county clerk, which has deprived Rosenthal of his certificate, No other LETTERS TO GO]'ERNOR LEU'ELLINC. 145 tribunal or body can now do so. That the House will act promptly and justly in the premises, we have the fullest confi- dence. The peremptory writ of mandamus prayed for will be refused. All the justices concurring. -10- 146 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. DECISION RENDERED IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SHAWNEE COUNTY, BY JUDGE Z. T. HAZEN, FEBRUARY iS, 1893. In the Case for an Injunction against State Auditor Van B. Prather and State Treasurer W. H. Biddle, Enjoining Them from Paying out Money UNDER AN Alleged Act Passed by THE Senate and " Rump" House. This case was brought for the purpose of testing the legality of the acts of what is known as the Dunsmore House. Attorney- General Little, Judge W. C. Webb, and Mr. Hitt appeared for the State in defense of the action of the State Treasurer in paying out money provided for by an appropriation bill which had been passed by the Dunsmore House and Senate and approved by the Governor. B. M. Curtis, county attorney, Mr. T. F. Garver, Mr. W. H. Rossington, and "Mr. David Overmeyer appeared for the prosecution. The trial occupied three days. Upon its couclusion Judge Hazen delivered the following decision: The State of Kansas, ex rel. B. M. Curtis, County Attorney of Shawnee County, Kansas, Plaintiff, vs. Van B. PraTHER, as Auditor of the State of Kansas, and W. H. BiddlE, as Treasurer of the State of Kansas, Defendants. opinion. This suit was brought by the State of Kansas on the relation of B. M. Curtis, county attorney of Shawnee County, against Van B. Prather, Auditor of the State, and W. H. Biddle, State Treasurer, to enjoin the Auditor from issuing warrants upon the Treasurer, and the Treasurer from honoring warrants so drawn. The Audi- tor derives his authority to issue the warrants, and the Treasurer liis authority to pay them, from the Senate Bill No. 97 ; and unless this act authorizes the drawing of the warrants by the Auditor LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 147 and the payment of them by the Treasurer, it is conceded no authority exists so to do. It is claimed on behalf of the State that this act is not legally enacted, and that warrants issued and money paid out in pursu- ance thereof is without authority of law. The real contention on behalf of the State is that this act had not passed the legal House of Representatives; or, in other words, that the House commonly known as the Dunsmore House, which passed this act, is not the legally constituted House of Representatives. For the purpose of showing that the Dunsmore House is not the legal House of Representatives the State has offered certain evidence. The defendants have introduced no evidence in this case, but entrench themselves behind the act itself and the jour- nal of the Dunsmore House, and say this act has passed the Dunsmore House, and has received the approval of the Senate and the signature of the Governor; that the courts are powerless to go behind the act itself and the journal of the House passing it; that whether the Dunsmore House is the legal House can not be inquired into; that a law is legally enacted if passed by any body of men assuming to act as the House of Representatives and afterwards receives the sanction of the Senate and the signa- ture of the Governor; that it makes no difference whether the body of men who assume to act as a House of Representatives were persons elected for that purpose, but all that is necessary is that they shall assume to act in that capacity, and when they do act, and their action has received the sanction of the Senate and the approval of the Governor, it becomes law. It is further contended by the defendants that upon an inves- tigation of the questions involved in this case it will be necessary for the court to pass upon the legality of the seats of certain members, and that under the Constitution of this State the courts have no power to investigate these questions, but that each House is the solejudge of its own members. It is contended on laehalf of the State that the investigation of the questions involved in this case does not go to the right of certain members to their seats in the House, but that it goes to the organization of the House, to the legal existence of the House itself These, in brief, are the respective claims of the parties to this controversy. It is shown by the evidence in this case that on the loth day of January, 1893, the members of the House of Representatives assembled at the legislative hall; that immediately after meeting there were sixty-four members holding certificates, who now, together with three additional members, constitute the Douglass House ; that there were fifty-eight members holding certificates of election, who now constitute the Dunsmore House, together with ten additional members seated by said House since the loth of January. We then have in this case sixty-seven certified members, known as the Douglass House, who are assuming and claiming to be the legal House of Representatives. We have 148 r^ETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WE LUNG. fifty-eight certified members, together with ten persons not hold- certificates of election, now commonly known as the Dunsmore House, and now claiming to be the legal House of Representa- tives. Both of these bodies have been meeting from day to day at Representative Hall, each of them having elected their officers and assuming to act in the capacity of the House of Representa- tives. The Governor and the Senate have recognized the Duns- more House as the legal House, and have refused to recognize the Douglass House as having any authority to transact business. The Dunsmore Hoiise passed the act in question, which is now the subject of controversy The question now arises, whether the courts have the power to determine which one of these Houses is the legally organized House of Representatives. It cannot be claimed in this case that either House is a de facto House, because during the entire time from the loth of January to the present both Houses have been meeting in the same hall, each House has been disputing the right of the other, and neither House has had the exclusive pos- session of the hall, but their possession has been equal. If the contention of defendants is true, an act can become a law with- out having passed the House of Representatives ; for it is claimed by defendants and argued by other counsel that a body of men may congregate, assume to act as a House of Representatives, elect its officers, pass bills, and if these bills so passed receive the recognition of the Senate and the signature of the Governor they become the laws of Kansas, although the persons who com- posed the supposed House of Representatives had never been elected by the people, had never been candidates for that posi- tion, and had no authority to act except assumed authority ; and counsel for defendant rely upon the case of The State 'ex rel. Herro)t against Si)iit/i, /[/^ Ohio State, page 34S, to sustain this position. But with this contention this court cannot agree, and if this is the law of Kansas, this court will not be the first to pro- mulgate it; for the doctrine seems so dangerous and so revolu- tionary in its tendency that unless it can be supported by both authority and reason the court will be slow to follow it. If this contention be true, there would be but little use in electing members to the Legislature; all that would be necessary to pass an act would be to have an organized body of men that the Sen- ate and Governor were willing to recognize. If this be true, one hundred and twenty-five men — or any other number, for that mat- ter — may gather at the court-house of this county, elect their offi- cers, declare themselves to be the legally organized House of Representatives, although the entire body may be composed of citizens of Shawnee County; and if they can receive the recogni- tion of the Senate and the Governor, their acts become the laws of Kansas, although the legally elected House of Representatives may be occupying the proper hall, being there by virtue of an election from their respective counties to represent their con- stituents; and yet the body of men congregated at the court- house could ignore them entirel}', and this body of men, together LETTERS TO GO]'ERNOR LEU'ELLIXC;. 149 with the Senate aud Goveruor, could enact laws for this State. If this be true, the Constitution of our State is not what we have supposed, and is not the safeguard thrown around the enactment of laws that it was supposed to be by its framers. We submit this position is such that a statement of the proposition is suffi- cient to refute it. But the Ohio case relied upon by the defendants does not sustain the position they claim for it. In that case the Senate of that State had been legally organized ; its legal existence was not in question ; but after it had organized, after it had been meeting from day to day, twenty of its members withdrew from the Senate chamber and (as appears from the opinion) left the State, and the seventeen remaining members, asstiming to act as the legally constituted Senate, seated four contesting members and then proceeded to enact laws. The Ohio court in that case held that a law enacted by the Senate after the seating of those four members was valid and subsisting law, but in that case there was no question as to the legality of the Senate. And in the opinion the court clearly recognizes that the admitted existence of the Senate was a controlling element in the decision of the case ; and it is clear from an examination of that authority that those seventeen senators could never have organized the Senate without a constitutional majority; but the Senate having been legally organized, and after its legal existence had been recog- nized, then its acts would become valid ; and yet the dissenting opinion in that case of Chief Justice Owen, in which he chal- lenges the constitutional power of the minority of the senators to transact business, except to adjourn from day to day, was so forcible that it required a counter-opinion from one of the judges on the bench to break the force of his position. But that case has ho application here. In that case the legal existence of the Senate was recognized, and had been for a number of days. Here the legal existence of the Dunsmore Hone is denied, and has been denied since its organization. In this case the Douglass House consists of a constitutional majority of certificated mem- bers. The Dunsmore House lacks a constitutional majority of certificated members, and no organization could be effected, aud no House of Representatives could exist until a constitutional majority of persons holding certificates meet and resolve them- selves into a House of Representatives. The courts must de- termine which of these two Houses is legally organized, because there can be but one legal House of Representatives. If the contention of defendants is true, and this bill in ques- tion is constitutional, then a bill passed by the Douglass House receiving the sanction of the Senate and the signature of the Gov- ernor, would become a law. Can it be possible thatthe validity of a law depends upon which one of these two houses the Governor and Senate see fit to recog- nize, not for the entire session, but only for the bill passed ? If this be true, then certain bills may pass the Dunsmore House, receive the sanction of the Senate and the signature of the Gov- 110 LETTERS TO COl'ERNOR LEWELIJXir. enior, and become laws, and other bills ma}' be passed by the Doug- lass House, receive the sanction of the Senate and the signature of the Governor, and become laws, and we would then have in Kansas the strange anomaly of two legal Houses of Representa- tives. Yet, if the contention of defendants be true, this condition of affairs may exist at any time. If fifty-eight members, being less than a constitutional major- ity, can meet, organize the House, turn out certificated members, and seat others sufficient to give them a constitutional major- ity, and then, with the recognition of the Senate and Governor, transact business and enact laws, why may not forty-eight mem- bers do the same thing? If you once grant the authority of less than a constitutional majority t® organize the House, then there is no limitation except the will of the persons who seek to organ- ize it. If, then, at the next election, the Democrats should electa Governor and have control of the Senate, they can organize a House irrespective of the members elected. But defendants' counsel saj^ that courts may not go behind the journal ; that the journal is a barrier behind which the courts can never go. But what journal is it behind which the courts cannot go ? It must be the journal of the House of Representatives, and not a journal of a House claiming to be the House of Representatives; and the courts must first determine, when this question arises, whether it is the journal of the House, andiu thedetermiuation of this ques- tion the whole case is determined. If the law is as contended for by defendants, then our Constitution is no protection in so far as it requires an act to pass the House of Representatives; for, under their contention, it may pass any body, and if it receives the sanc- tion of the Senate and signature of the Governor, it becomes a law. If the Douglass House had disbanded and the Dunsmore House had continued to transact business, then it would have become a de facto House and thelawsenactedbyitwould be valid; but under the evidence in thiscaseitwillhardly be contended that the Dunsmore House is a de facto House. Under the evidence in this case and in accordance with the views expressed in this opinion, the temporary injunction must be allowed, for the reason that the court is of the opinion that the Dunsmore House is not the legal House of Representatives, and that the act in question has not been legally passed. Injunction allowed. LETTERS TO GOVERyOR LEWELLIXG. 151 IN THE SUPREME COURT. The Testimony oe Hon. A, H. Lupeer, Who was Elected Temporary Clerk oe the Dunsmore House on January io, 1893. Mr. Ivupfer, who is a Populist, and a representative from Pawnee County, gave the following testimony in the Gunn trial before the Supreme Court. His testimony is significant as showing the methods pursued by the Populists in organizing the House with less than a constitutional majority of certificated members. This evidence was elicited on cross-examination by the prosecution on Wednesday, February 22, 1S93: cross-examination by MR. ROSSINGTON. Q. Speaking- of this roll : When you saw the original roll, in what shape was it? Was it tj'pewritten? A. I did not notice that. Q. Did you see whether or not it was certified as a true copy by the pres- ent Secretary of State, Mr. Osborn ? A. I did not notice that at all ; I was paying attention to thi^ slip, this page, upon which was written the names of the contestants, and as the members of the districts were called I indi- cated the names to Mr. Rich. Q. What do you mean by the original roll ? A. The roll that was handed to Mr. Rich. Q. What do you mean by the original roll? A. The roll that was handed to Mr. Rich by Speaker Dunsmore as having come from the Secretary of State Osborn. Q. But whether or not it was the original list or a certified copj' you do not know? A. I could not say. Q. Where did you get this list of names, from what source? A. It ia my recollection that I received the names from the members-elect themselves; I took down the names as they were given by the members. I think I put down one or two names at the suggestion of Mr. Breidenthal. Q. Who is Mr. Breidenthal? A. He is chairman of the State Central Committee of the People's party. Q. Was he a member of the Legislature? A. No, sir. Q. From whom else did you receive suggestions? A. I don't know that I received suggestions relative to these parties from any one else, except, as I stated, from the members themselves. Q. What do you mean by " the members themselves," what member.s? A. The contestants that were present at our caucus meeting the night pre- vious and the morning prior to the assembling in Representative Hall. Q. Who suggested that you should make this record to be handed in ? A. It was spoken of at the beginning of the organization. Q. The organization of what? A. The organization of the House by Speaker Dunsm.ore, and his remarks during the time that Mr. Osborn acted as chairman. Q. Then it was made by you after the House assembled, was it ? A. I had those names prior to that time. Q. From whom did you receive them prior to that time? A. From the members, I think I said. Q. ^^^^ere and under what circumstances? A. At our caucus meeting. Q. Then, as I understand you, it was determined at the caucus meeting to insert these names on the roll, was it? A. If the Republican side of the House persisted in calling the names of their contestees. Q. By "their contestees" you mean the names of the members appearing 162 LETTERS TO COVERyOR LEWELLIXG. upon this (iriginal ofTiciat roll which you have nientioucd? A. Vt;>, -sir ; persons against whom contests had been filed. Q. Had been filed, and whose names appeared on the roll? A. Yes, sir. Q. And if that roll was sought to be called and as it was recorded in the office of the Secretary of State, then jou proposed t ) insert those names in the roll? A. The proposition was made that all parties whose seats were contested should be set aside until after the temporary organization of the House. Q. Then, I understand you, the Republicans had a certified roll that was produced there before this original roll you speak of? A. They said so ; I do not know it was the fact. Q. They were calling names from what appeared to be such ? A. What they claimed to be such. Q. Was your name called? A. I wasn't paying any attention to that roll-call. Q. Exactly not. They were calling that roll, were the3' not— don't you know that the roll they were calling was identical with the original roll that was handed into the House by Mr. Osborn? A. They said it was a certified copy. Q. Don't you know it was? A. I cannot say, sir. Q. Did you hear any variation from the original roll in the call? A. I wasn't paying any attention to their roll-call. Q. Did you know, or have reason to believe, that that roll would be changed or altered as delivered by the Secretary of the State, or a copy of it, identical with it, would be called without change or alteration ? A. I wa» not by the side of Remington ; if he called the complete roll, I paid no attention. Q. How did you know, then, to direct that the names of these con- testants should be put in, unless you knew the names of the contestees were being called? A. I knew the numbers of their districts. Q. Then you heard the names called, did you ? A. I received the numbers of the districts from the members themselves. Q. Then, as I understand y u, what you are pleased to call the con- testants asked you to have their names put upon the roll ; is that a fact? A. 1 don't know that they asked nie to have that done. Q. Did you do it officiously, without anj'body suggesting it to you ? A. No, sir ; the direction of the Speaker, I believe, sir, was that those names be called. Q. What Speaker do you refer to? A. Speaker Dunsmore. p. Did he give you any such direction before the roll was called by Mr. Rich? A. The direction was given to Mr. Rich, and I simply indicated to him the district in which these contests appeared. Q. Did you know that right next to Mr. Dunsmore there stood Mr. . Douglass at that very time? You knew that, did you not ? A. Yes, sir ; I presume he was standing there. Q. And prior to Mr. Douglass standing there, Mr. Cubbison had stood there, had he not? A. I presume so. Q. And Mr. Remington occupied the clerk's desk, and you stood there beside him for awhile? A. While he was waiting for his roll. Q. Didn't he call his roll? A. I presume he did, sir, but I was not there. Q. Don t you know it to be a fact ? A. I presume hecalled a roll, but I was not there when he did it. Q. How did you happen to be away? You were there as clerk? A. I had no roll to call at that time. Q. Were you not by his side or right rear him? A. When? Q. When he called his roil. A. My recollection is, I was not ; I wa-s there when he first went up to the stand. Q. Is it not a fact that you were not elected and were not there at all? A. When Mr, Remington was there? 0. Yes, sir. A. when Mr. Remington was elected temporary chief clerk I was there shortly after him, but at that time neither one of us had a roll. Q. How long after? A. I could not state. Q. Is it a fact that during the incumbency of Mr. Reminglon in the temporaryclerkship of that House, during his incumbency, that you had been chosen as temporary chief clerk of the Dunsmore House, so called ? A. I took my place there very shortly after Mr. Remington, but it is my recollec- tion that Mr. Remington stood there, waiting for a roll to be presented to him. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLIXc;. 15S in the stand at the timi you ^oot 5 ^^uark that Mr. Cubbison was still while you were both waiting for a ron7 I^V.J'^-'^^r ^'"^ ?e""n^ton and sumeldid. '■mg lor a roll i- A. Yes, sir ; for a short time, I pre- A. I^pri^uil/eThafllr'^.^SLn^ ^^and at that time? any attention, v.uuoison was m it at that time. I was not paying chie9ckrk?^^a^are?;i^f['e?^V'S^^^^^ ^- ^ was chosen was— -y ''"«^r Mr. Kemington was ; I presume Mr. Cubbison in a^oud ?oni of vicf -'rhoW^hf m ^r",*-^' y°" ^^^^^^ ^^- Remington say members as it appears in the office^f X'^l ^^ ^'^^^^^^'^^^o^-.y oi X.^^^ xtl^f directed to read ftf You heard that? at ct'^7i%'>' ^^ State," and he was one make that remark or somettWn,; e^' •, ^"^Y^ ''^f°'"e t^^t I heard some who it was that said it! "'^ ^"^^^t^ing similar to that, but I could not st^Je nanPes a^pe^Vcd^Toa't" ^roU^^r'Jf ^^^^ /" P'^^* of these ten men whose names of ^ontestaLLliouTdbe^nseXrind^H '\^".'i"V°"> ^^^^^ ten^ther dropped? A. The matter was talked ovIVk ^^1'?^-^^^.^"^ ten should be caucus that should the Republican sidrj^w* ^ ^^^""^ ^^ was decided in thi contestees upon it, thafwe sho-dd add ^^ ^^ "P°" calling the roll with til Douglass the proposition- ''^^ preliminary remarks by Mr O r.;,i,J: ?"^- ^- I presume I was as hJitr^^^^l^^J- ^icli in the calling of that roll? a. Only so far tell|m^V^^'?o\^,^?-etothe„ame^oa^^^^^^^^ ,,e roll, did you don't know that I did so- I i,,«t',-^^- .w^ the others in their stekd' A T in vvhich thecontestants'ap]>eareS '^'"'^ '° '^^"^ ^'^^ ^""^ber of the district A. Pthi'n\^^it7s! It' '^"' "^^' - -^^t Mr. Rich did as that roll was called? , -•■--- ^'s"i- vJi nine mem whether I was selected or not. -,--.. ^,.„ . irmemoer Q.^^Wereyouaniemberofthccommittee.Iamasking? A. I presume I spo,?esiS°o7?L^L™frt °! ''' "^-^ --''1 -t state ; M^ Bunsmore wa. tion1inown'isM'l[e^''!s'teS".Tonu.'!ift^^^^ nitentions of this organiza- place motions and make Vhl'-n^X^n^U^^^^^^^ A. The persons on thatTer^To r;L-is?jr,fr' '-"'»- •"=•"- '--^ ^^- 30 your ■• ..«ri„, eo„„U.e. •■ „, dcvi.cd f„, .H. p„^„ „f ,„„;: 154 LETTERS TO GO I EPNOR LE WEI UNC. iiig: tliat resistance with either strategy or force ; is not that a fact ? A. I do not know, sir. Q. Was not that the purpose of your committee? A. We have never attempted to use either strategy- or force in this matter. Q. Was it not the purpose of 3-our " Steering- Committee," as represent- ing' the body out of which it was chosen, to prevent the organization of the House by those who held certificates of election, without considering the contestants? A. We did not want the Republicans to organize the House ; yes, sir. Q. That, in plain terms, was your purpose, was it not? A. Yes, sir. Q. You were to determine who were elected and who were not before the organization of that House? A. We had knowledge of the testimony that had been taken in these contests. We heard the claims of the con- testants. Q. Did you notify the contestees to appear and present their documents? A. I don't think we did. Q. So that you only heard one side of this controversy then, did you ? A. Ves, sir. Q. Did you not know, as a matter of fact, that the first name on that roll, to which Mr. Dunspiore objected, Mr. Campbell, had been elected by more than a thousand votes over his opponent in Doniphan County? A. Never heard that. Q. Did you not furthermore know that Mr. Sherman, of this county, -who was also upon your list of i'jr/ar/if members, had been elected by over four hundred votes? A. Ko, sir. Q. Had you heard anything to the contrarj'? A. No; we never made any claim to the contrary ; there were other matters. Q. Is it not a fact that the only claim that was ever made against them was that, at the time they were elected, but not at the time they qualified, that they were U. S. postmasters in their localities? A. Yes, sir; we knew they held that position. Q. Did you not know that they had purged themselves of that element of disqualification by resigning their post-offices and having their success- ors chosen and qualified before the Legislature assembled? A. We knew that they had tendered their resignations, but we did not know that they had purged themselves of this disqualification. Q. Did you know they had not ? A. We had the language of the Con- stitution. Q. Of the State of Kansas? A. Yes, sir. Q. Is it not a fact that at the same time there were two persons sitting in your caucus, and who afterwards entered the House and are now sitting in the Dunsmore House, who not only were postmasters at the time of their election, but were postmasters down to very recent times? A. I learned afterwards that there were two on our side, but one had tendered his resig- nation immediately after his nomination, but the Postmaster-General did not see fit to accept it, but he afterwards called his attention to that effect, and I believe he afterwards accepted it. Q. At what time? The resignation was accepted after his election ? A. Yes, sir. Q. And after the meeting of the Legislature, and after he was seated? A. That his resignation was accepted ? Q. Yes, sir. A. That is not my understanding— that his resignation was accepted. Q. Did you investigate to find out ? A. I have his word only. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 155 IN THE SUPREME COURT. Testimony of Ben C Rich. Ben C. Rich was elected chief clerk of the Dunsmore House January loth, as soon as the temporary organization had been perfected. Mr. Rich, as chief clerk, relieved Hon. A. H. Lupfer, who had been elected temporary clerk. This evidence is a con- tinuation of that offered by Mr. Lupfer, and is here given a place to show that the ten bogus members were placed upon the roll- call by Mr. Rich without legal authority, and formed a part of the membership of the Dunsmore House for seven weeks. The evi- dence also discloses the fact that there v/ere but fifty-six certificated members present at the time of organization on Wednesda}', Jan- ixary loth. This evidence was given upon cross-examination by Mr. T. F. Garver, of the prosecution, and is the official report of the Supreme Court stenographer. CROSS-EXL\MINATlON BY MR. GARVER. Q. Where did you say the original journals were? A. I turned them over to Mr. Semple, chairman of the Revision Committee, on Monday even- ing, February 13th— I think that is the evening. Q. Did you at that time turn over to him the journal of the first ten days? A. They had been turned over prior to that, under the first resolution. These were turned over under House Resolution No. 6S. Q. When did you turn over to him the first original journal of the first ten days, including January loth? A. That I could not state. The resolu- tion was introduced February 2d, but it was probably some time after that, between that and the 13th. I did not impress it on my mind. All I had in my possession at that time was the memorandum kept of the proceedings. Q. Was there a memorandum of the proceedings kept of the body pre- sided over by Mr. Dunsmore from the time it was first organized? A. Yes, sir. Q That is what you call the original journal, was it? A. Yes, sir. Q. Have you seen that since you turned it over to Mr. Semple? A. I have not seen it since. Q. Did j-ou act in conjunction with that committee in revising the journal ? A. No, sir. Q. Were you consulted by the committee in revising it ? A. No, sir. Q. Was there what purported to be a journal of the Dunsmore House printed, showing the proceedings of the first days of the session previous to February 2d? A. Yes, sir. Q. Is this one of the printed journals showing the first proceedings of the Dunsmore House? [Objected to as not proper cross-examination.] A. No, sir. The Chief Justice : Overruled. Proceed, Mr. Garver. A. This appears to be the ori inal journal. Q. Who had that printed? A. It was printed by order of the House. Q. Wiiat was the occasion f:)r the House taking steps on February 2d? A. For the purpose of making a chance to include that part of the session I 166 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. was not a witness to. I did not get into the hall until after the pixlinii- naries, when the temporary Speaker was about to vacate his chair. Q. Was some one in the Speaker's stand at the time you went in, besides Mr. Ryan ? A. There was a gentleman on the south side of him. Q. Who ? A. He was a stranger to me. Q. Do you now know who that was? A. I think I know. Q. Who? A. Mr. Cubbison. Q. Were you there at the time Mr. Semple was appointed temporary clerk? A. Yes, sir ; I got in just as he was appointed. He took his station the J behind the clerk's desk just as I went in. Q. After Mr. Lupfer was appointed temporary clerk, Ryan proceeded to act as temporary Speaker? A. He did until some one made a motion, and then Dunsmore was elected Speaker. Q. Who participated after lyupfer was elected temporary clerk and you chief clerk? A. The gentlemen on the north side of the Hall, known as Populists. Q. What were the gentlemen on the south side of the Hall known as, as Republicans, going through the same operations? A. Yes, sir. O. After you went into tlie Hall, from that time on these two bodies on eaclTsideof the Hall proceededentirely separately from each other ?_ A. Yes, sir; independently of, but concurrent in this: they w^ere both calling rolls at the same time. Q. Were you elected by call of the roll, or by a viva voce vote ? A. By a viva voce vote. Q. Mr. Dunsmore was elected the same way? A. Yes, sir, Q. You do not know who voted? A. No, sir ; I know of some of them, for I was personally acquainted with some twenty-five or more ot them. Q. You know some of them, but do you know how many voted on Dun.s- more's election? At the time Dunsmore was elected,was anything said about who had the right to vote? A. Not in my presence. I learned what trans- pired since. Q. You had the roll there that day? A. Yes, sir. Q. On the list, where did you get it? A. I cannot say who handed it to me. Q. Where were you when you got it ? A. I was standing on the second step on the north end of the clerk's desk. Q. Was it handed to you by a stranger, or did j-ou notice who handed it to you? A. I will say at this time that Mr. Dunsmore, Ryan, and Semple were all strangers to me, and that I did not know what gentleman handed that to me. Q. Did any one make any request of you in reference to it, as to what you should do with it? A. Yes, sir. Q. What was it? A. To read it ; I think it was Mr. Dunsmore who ordered me to read it at that time. Q. Mr. Dunsmore was in the chair at that time? A. Yes, sir. Q. You read it, did you ? A. Yes, sir. Q. Did you read the entire document, or just call the names ? A. I called the roll merely. Q. When you called the roll, were the members sworn? A. They had been sworn previously, before a notary public. Q. Was there any announcement made, when you commenced calling the names on that list, as to the purpose of it and what the members should do? A. It may have been done ; I don't remember. Q. When you called the names, did you wait for respon.ses ? A Responses were made to every name on the list. I called some on the south side who did not respond ; one or two did, by mistake, but it was taken back. Q. What were the responses made — simply that they were present? A. Yes, sir ; that they were here. It was a roll-call for finding out the "presents." Q. Did you call the names on the roll as it was handed to you ? A. No, sir. Q. Was there any change en the rolls? A. No, sir. Q. Did you make changes from the roll-call? A. No, sir. Q. Did you omit any names on the roll? A. Yes, sir ; some that was reported to Mr. Dunsmore as not being members, and some from a list pre- pare d beforehand and handed to me. Q. In what way did you designate those omitted? A. The number of LETTERS TO GOVERXOR LEWELLINC. lo7 the district was opposite each gentlemen whose name I was to call on the .6f. 203^ 1914 920 794 140 Cloud 1915 2268 2.542 10-52 557 118 Coffey lXii9 1879 1970 1227 440 109 Comanche 259 310 490 384 93 Cowley 3886 3875 4112 1933 1534 120 Crawford .... 31.56 1875 1362 120 Davis 3064 4164 1027 756 97 10 Decatur 619 982 1224 731 131 46 Dickinson 2419 2647 2746 1695 473 157 Doniphan 2162 1185 2243 1109 14 7 Doug-las 3114 2166 3189 1669 217 23H Edwards 399 472 541 334 114 20 Elk 1235 1369 1566 696 600 50 Ellis 546 1069 690 756 105 2 Ellsworth 1102 1097 1159 831 39 22 Finnev 478 338 694 -348 49 50 Ford.: 649 565 822 680 119 208 Franklin 2208 2430 2422 1113 1U56 11 GarHeld 102 69 22.5 129 3 5 Geary 863 1113 .... .... Gove 327 248 586 278 7 19 Graham 436 545 797 342 51 4 Grant 151 131 390 245 245 6 Grav 274 229 417 268 48 33 Greeley 241 114 422 180 105 8 Greenwood 1732 1780 2242 1110 542 7 Hamilton 253 186 480 295 28 9 Harper 1288 1986 1490 940 587 37 Harve V 2025 1756 2145 1065 676 68 Haskell 177 lU 291 197 21 Hodgeman 363 223 563 220 8:i 14 Jackson 1826 1594 1979 1220 13 92 Jefferson 2026 1977 2268 1601 11 99 ] ewell 1961 2225 2285 999 757 128 Johnson 2070 1932 2164 1435 303 171 Kearny 219 141 367 248 1 2 Kingman 1225 1564 1413 622 7.56 24 -11— 162 LETTERS 70 GOJERNOR LEUELLLXG. , 1892 , ,— 1888 — ^-, Rep. Peo. Rep. Dein. U. X,. Pro. Counties {107). Hairison. IVeaver. Harrison. Cleveland. Streeter. Fisk. Kiowa 39G 37(i 525 381 107 30 Labette 2950 3116 2S70 976 2126 85 Lane 2W 222 459 267 49 20 Leavenworth 3471 3871 3272 3516 335 71 Lincoln 87,s 1348 1069 617 349 59 Linn 204(i 2063- 2166 802 1119 38 Logan 457 329 609 283 33 Lyon 2591 2623 3014 1377 469 155 Marion 2210 1682 2375 1283 219 71 Marshall 2531 2938 2547 1815 835 73 McPherson 2294 2332 2279 829 1181 119 Meade 261 214 578 342 91 7 Miami 2243 2265 2170 1600 359 100 Mitchell 1467 1855 1676 880 337 105 Montgomery 2738 2514 2871 1868 709 33 Morris 1417 1328 1612 840 258 35 Morton 106 76 333 205 29 7 Nemaha 2222 2190 2515 1682 81 93 Neosho 2000 2170 2134 1144 982 37 Ness 495 590 891 470 124 71 Norton 1054 1090 1471 631 466 31 Osage 2606 3169 3442 i:>80 1001 1G4 Osborne 1163 1380 1680 686 182 45 Ottawa 1444 1541 1569 769 366 94 Pawnee 671 717 895 303 209 38 Phillips 1352 1468 1681 763 592 35 Pottawatomie 2107 2101 2419 1471 162 52 Pratt 947 1147 1115 652 370 85 Rawlins 592 750 1023 633 127 2 Reno 31(10 3097 3398 W41 366 1.".8 Republic 2167 2049 2595 1205 110 159 Rice 1721 1821 1851 934 284 134 Riley 157 4 1 427 1856 772 286 56 Rooks 811 846 1112 412 3.50 3', Rush 570 616 681 124 26 29 Russell 1008 730 953 571 24 15 Saline 1811 217.-. 2163 1186 329 12(i Scott 112 162 294 182 49 13 Sedgwick 4768 5254 6071 1025 ill.s 22:1 Seward 156 115 400 207 43 4 Shawnee 67.57 4206 7672 3143 117 271 Sheridan 325 463 623 3.37 37 ' 8 .Sherman 571 748 803 481 146 12 Smith 1389 1923 1726 777 699 71 Stafford 840 1232 975 483 505 s9 Stanton 116 131 298 197 50 3 Stevens 85 185 307 268 61 21 Sumner 3.501 4058 3499 2139 1301 99 Thomas 490 693 7»1 486 121 6 Trego 309 294 477 220 25 24 Wabaunsee 13.-.6 LVJO 17(!8 960 31 33 Wallace :.77 295 412 198 9 5 Washington 2323 J.s.52 J999 1.511 260 45 Wichita 215 21 I 438 207 78 15 Wilson 1803 l(i36 2191 10;i5 671 47 Woodson 1071 1032 1119 595 363 104 Wyandotte 5891 5,529 ,5431 4155 190 25 Total 157241 163111 1.S2904 102745 37778 6779 Percent 46.71 18.44 .54 75 30.75 11.:! 2.02 Plurality 5.s7(l 801,5;t Total Vote 32 I8,S7 3;m>35 *Bidwen, Pro., 4,5,53. LETTERS TO COIERAOR LEWELLIXC. 163 GOVERNOR IX 1890. Rep. All. Dem. Pro. Humphrey. IVillits, Robimon. Richardson. 115,025' .10(;,972 71,;>i7 1,230 PREVIOUS VOTES FOR PRESIDENT. Rep. Dem. Gbk. Pro. Total. 1884 l.")4,406 90,1S2 HI, 8-11 1,495 265,374 1880 121,549 59, SOI 10,,'<.51 201,236 1870 78,122 37,902 7,770 123,794 1872 67,048 32,976 -596 100,614 1868. 31,048 13,990 45.038 1864 16,441 3,091 20,132 *For Charles O'Conor. Treasurer— J. B. Lynch, Rep 158,277 W. H. Biddle, Peo. and Dem 162,097 Joel Miller, Pro 4,191 Attorney-General— T. F. Carver, Rep 158,176 John T. Little, Peo. and Dem 162,340 R. L. Davidson, Pro 4,055 Supt. Pub. Inst.— J. C. Davis, Rep 157,917 H. N. Gaines, Peo. and Dem ^ 162,515 Alice M. Hender.son, Pro 4,045 Asso. Justice— D. M. Valentine, Rep 158,191 Stephen H. Allen, Peo. and Dem 162,338 C.H.Stevens, Pro 4,173 OFFICIAL FIGURES OF THE VOTE FOR GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES, NOVEMBER 8, 1S92. 1 GOVBRNOR. COUNTIES. to 1,423 ] ,490 2,679 1,365 1,712 2,929 2,228 2,702 969 1,309 3,714 492 305 2,012 2,254 1,860 312 3,877 4,155 950 2,640 1,191 2,170 473 1,370 1,026 1,106 342 562 2,424 69 1,102 251 553 134 227 111 1,778 192 1,968 1 692 110 224 1,594 1.969 2,225 1,898 144 ],58<) 37^1 3.096 .s V) a; .s Allen 1,607 1,635 2,688 956 1,423 2,753 2,580 2,654 895 1,408 2,714 500 226 1,689 1,931 1,786 259 3,900 3,087 627 2,456 2,159 3,126 399 1,234 590 1.092 477 655 2,217 103 865 324 434 148 276 245 1,731 252 1,299 2,095 178 362 1,830 2,043 1,967 2,067 214 1.211 410 2 975 35 89 45 12 5 20 105 87 18 4 59 9 2 99 67 57 Barber Bourbon Brown Butler Cheyenne Clark. Clay Cloud Coffey 120 76 7 51 9 146 5 10 12 14 3 Crawford Uoniphau Douglas Elk Ellis 159 43 1 1 1 1 1 1 20 5 Harper Haskell 68 47 5 26 45 113 126 48 8 82 VOTE FOR GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES. -ConT. COUNTIES. Lane Leavenworth. . Lincoln Linn Logan Lyon Marion Marshall McPherson . .. Meade Miami . Mitchell * Montgonieiy . Morris Morton Nemaha Neosho Ness . Norton Osage Osborne Ottawa Pawnee Phillips Pottawatomie Pratt Rawlins Reno Republic Rice ..; Riley Rooks Rush Russell . Saline • Scott Sedgwick Seward Shawnee Sheridan Sherman Smith . . Stafford Stanton Stevens Sumner Thomas Trego Wabaunsee Wallace Washington Wichita Wilson Woodson Wyandotte . .. GOVERNOR. 287 r.,490 890 2,038 45.3 2,62 i 2 28S ■2,r<3i 2,292 265 2,284 1,469 2,750 1.429 107 2,238 2,014 532 1,070 2,607 1.158 1,461 663 1,354 2,135 977 581 3,186 2,170 1,721 1,583 820 576 1,034 1,837 144 4,631 157 6,760 326 586 1,383 845 146 86 3,525 493 313 1,::61 876 2,343 247 1,805 1,076 5,852 Totals [158,075 163,507 219 3,838 1,348 2,070 331 2,611 1,652 2,935 2,352 211 2,230 1,864 2,.509 1,323 76 2,171 2,160 5-55 1 ,078 3,182 1,388 1,.518 728 1,461 2,08" 1,154 761 3,088 2,052 1,826 1,423 846 622 715 2,165 163 5,413 119 4,189 451 743 1,921 1 227 131 183 4,042 6.'*4 2')1 1,.523 294 2 818 216 1,643 1,027 5,552 119 117 93 49 12 27 41 162 14 53 6 9 16 19 4 46 l!6 139 42 31 10 14 25 4 166 1 143 3 5 .50 65 123 3 8 IS 2 14 1 27 29 108 4,178 10 Kit) LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEIVETLIXG. OFFICIAL RETURNS OF ELECTION OF 1892. MEMBERS OF THE STATE SENATE. First Dis/! id. Brown. Doniphan. J. D. WilliaiHson, Rep 2,444 2,151 B. A. Seaver, Pop 2,362 1,208 F. M. Stearns, Dem 101 3 Sfcond Dislric/. Atchison. Jackson. John M. Price, Rep 2,0(37 1,828 Charles Shedd, Dem 2.W2 1,588 Tliird District. LcciTcnicni tit. T. P. Fenlon, Dem 2,508 Lucieii Baker, Rep. 4,031 Q. A. Baldwin, Pop 911 H. B, Callahan, Dem 40 Fourlli District. Wyandotte. W.J. Buchan, Rep 5,052 Edwin Taylor, Pop t),179 N. B. Berry, Dem 5 Frank. Hoisinger, Proliil> 68 Fifth District. Dout:Ia.^. fi>ff.ersov. S. O. thacher. Rep 2 K'V.i " 1,939 T. A. Bayne, Pop 2.3,83 2,0.50 D.Surber, Dem 123 44 Sixtli District. J, dm son. Afiami. A. W. Parker, Rep J, 112 2,332 D. B. Williams, Pop 1,900 2,194 Seventh District. Liirn. Andei son . E. T. Metcalf, Rep 2,018 1,639 D. O. Markley, Pop 2,110 1,5.31 John C. Cannon, Dem 1 Eiglith District. Bourbon. O. A. Chenev, Rep 2,615 W. C. Dillard, Dem 3,043 jVinth District. Craivford. Robert E. Carlton, Rep 3,123 H.M.Reid,Pop 4.103 I,. Belknap, Dem 71 Tenth District. Cherokee. M. A. Householder, Pop 3 487 W. B. .Stone, Rep 2,811) J. H. Baxter, Dem 128 Eleventh District. Labette. John H. Reillv, Pop 3,082 W. H. McEwe'n, Rep 2,985 J. M. Magee, Dem 128 Twelfth District. i\Tonts:on2erv D. McTaggart, Rep 2,711 Samuel Henry, Pop 2,520 Thirteenth District. Neosho. IVHson. John C. Carpenter, Rep 2 OK! 1.826 S. C, McFadden, Pop .. 2.U'i3 1,6.38 Totals. 4,595 3,.57C 104 Totals. 4,795 4,030 Totals. 2,508 4,031 911 40 Totals. 5,052 6,179 5 68 Totals. 4,79.« 4,43:-} 167 Totals. 4,471 4,09) Totals. 3,657 3,641 1 Totals. 2,615 3,043 Totals. 3,123 4 1(13 71 Totals. 3,487 2,810 128 Totals. 3,882 2.985 128 Tola 's. 2,711 2,520 Totals. 3,831 3,S09 LETTER^ yy, coil-kWOR LEWELIJXC. 167 Fouylee^lkDi.st,,^.l_ lloodso,,. AlU;,. Chariest bcottKep 1078 l,52o William Rath, I'op I'^og ^51^ Fifteenth District. franklin. Coffey. W. ly. Parkinson, Rep i>;2i>0 1,787 J. W. Ivcedy, Pop 2,366 1,863 D. Fogle, Dem 165 56 Si.vteenth District. Osage. John C. Rankin, Rep 2,620 H. G. Jumper, Pop 3,144 Peter Kirby, i>em 162 Seventeenth District. Shawnee. William E. Sterne, Rep 6.533 R. L. Cofran, Dem 4,391 R. W. Hamoe, Prohib Scattering •• • • Eighteenth District. Potta-a'at nnie. Hiram F. Robbins, Rep 2,103 Constantine Umshied, Pop 1,910 J. A. Beekey, Dem 216 Nineteenth District. Inward A. Berry, Rep James Shearer, Pop 130 1 Nemaha. 2,243 1,579 623 Marshall. . 2,620 . 2,743 T-.ventiefh District. M'aslnnglon. John H. Decker, Rep 2,481 William Rodgers, Pop 2,626 Twentv-first District. 'Kilev. Gearv. Wabaunsee. A. F. Wade, Rep 1..5S4 S75 1,397 AdcuE. True, Pop 1,131 1,115 1,474 Twentv-second District. Dickinson. Clav. Otis I,. Ph'isler, Rep 2, .532 1,706 M. vSenn, Pop 2,507 2,008 R. C. Miller, Dem 1 Twenty-third Disliict. Marion. Chase. .Morris. W. A. Morgan, Rep 2 2.51 SII6 Paul S.Jones, Pop 1,675 969 — St. John, Dem 1 Twenty-fourth District. Lyon. 1,444 1 ,315 Greenzvood . 1,753 1,7.51 J. H. Waterhouse, Rep 2,614 Levi Dumbauld, Pop 2.636 J. Q. Starr, Dem 2 Twentv-firlh District . Butler. T. B. Murdock, Rep 2,477 A. W. Dennison, Pop 2,765 F. L. Ayers, Dem 107 Tcventv-sixth District. Elk. Chautauqua. R. Vv'. JI. Rowe, Rep 1,214 1,405 Jason Helmick, Pop 1,377 1,301 T'lieniy-seventh District . Cowley. S. M. Fail, Rep 3,907 L. P. King, Pop 3,928 Tcveniy-eighth District. .Sunnier. Robert A. X. Simonds, Rep 3,5.56 A. r,. Forney, Pop 3,975 Edmund Frantz, Dem 114 Tiventv-ninth District. , Sedgzvick. O. H. Bentley, Rep 4,682 Ed. O'Bryan, Dem.-Pop 5,268 C. S. Nusbaum, Dem 225 Totals 2,603 2,-550 Totals. 4,013 4,229 221 Totals. 2,620 3,144 162 Totals. 6,533 4,391 130 1 Totals. 4,346 3,489 839 Totals. 2,620 2,743 Totals. 2,481 2,626 Totals. 3,856 4,020 Totals. 4,238 4,.515 1 Totals. 4,591 3,959 1 Totals. 4,367 4,a87 2 Totals. 2,477 2,765 107 Totals. 2,619 2,678 Totals. 3,907 3,928 Totals. 3,556 3,975 114 Totals. 4,682 5,268 225 168 LETTERS TO (.OJ'ERXOR LE]VEIJ.T\G. Thirtieth District. Harvry. McPhei S(»i. S. T. Danner, Rep 2, ('80 2,305 Fox Winnie, Pop 1.684 2.32'i D.C.Hawn.Dem 47 101 O. P. Anderson, Dem 1 Thirty- first District. Saline: Ottawa. J. G. Moh'ler, Rep 1,827 1,413 R. K. Baldwin, Pop 2,005 1,521 T. H. Strickler, Dem 50 Thirtv-spcond District. Cloud. Rrpuhlic. B. R. Hogin, Rep 1.964 2,145 George D. Bowling, Pop 2,213 2,054 G. M. Simpson, Dem 67 103 Thirtv-third District. Jewell. Mitchell. N. A. Walker, Rep 1,977 1,479 A. S. Cooke, Pop 2,210 1,847 Thirtv-fouri'i District. Oifinr>ic. J.i>icr,tti. Russell. Ells^vorlh. Dallas Gfover, Rep... 1.163 899 1,043 1,127 W. B. Helm, Pop . 1 3S7 1 ,318 710 1,073 Thirtv-fifth District. Jlartoii. Rice. Stafford. R. C. Bailey, Rep 1.172 1.725 843 John Armstrong, Pop 1.70:1 1,870 1,236 Scattering 2 4 Thirtv-sixth District. Reno. Kiiisnian. Pratt. James Kellev, Rep 3,215 1,218 1,(K)1 J. M.Leeds, Pop 3.01 1,.5919 1,134 Samuel Chambers, Dem 1 Thirty-Seventh District. Madison, R. /., Harper 1,306 Barber 920 Kiowa 116 Comanche 287 Clark 221 Meade 267 Ford 669 Gray 276 Totals 4, Thirty-eighth Distrut. Brorcn, Ed\vards'(scattering, 1 Ness Hodgeman Rush Pawnee Garfield L,ane Scott Wichita Greeley Hamilton Kearny Finney Haske'll Grant .. Stanton Morton (scattering, 1 .. . .. Stevens Seward scattering, 1 365 Totals 5.385 LETTERS TO GOVERXOA' LEWI-JJIX \m Thirtv-mnt/i Districl Gove sac Treg'o isca tiering, 1 Gl'^ Kills .■ fil:'. Rooks M 2 Graham 1-1 Sheridan •'!1'.' Decatur I'lj:; Rawlins ,scalteriiis, ]; '^Ms Thomas 4iij Logan IT'.i Wallace ;!7S Sherman 'iS'.i Cheyenne 476 IVillcockson, A'. Gricbf!,P. /:xaa, D. Totals. .6,405 Fortieth District. Smith. Phillips. John R. Hamilton, Rep 1,4]8 1.362 G. E. Smith, Pop 1,897 1.45;; Scatterinjf 225 69 61© 310 SIO 44 527 21 414 39 9-25 35 461 289 676 10 261 41 218 77 656 86 179 349 6,281 1,380 Voj-ton. Totals. 1,113 3,893 1,047 4,397 2 2 MEMP.KRS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Dtst. DO.N-irriAN. I'otes. Dist. 1 . James A. Campbell, R 2.201 13.. J W. Howard, P 1,1.51 ^ Scattering 3 ATCHISON. 14.. 2 . John Seaton, R 1,567 J. W. Cunningham, P 50:' 3...M. K.Nichols, R 1,317 C. A. Woodworth, P 1,376 ^5 JEFFERSON. 4...C. H. Phinney, R 1,047 Terry Critchfield, P 921 U. L. Martin, D 18 5 ..G. W. McCammon, R 896 l*^-- L H. Gest, P 1,145 J;IvEvans, D 18 LEAVENWORTH. 17.. 6. . .Scattering 13 Stephen Meagher, D 974 J. M. Corv, R 945 io M.H. Hadlev, P 306 7 ..J. H. Wendofff, D 1,196 H. C. F. Hackbusch, R 1,607 M. B. L,each, P 24 George McKenna, P 16 8...F. M. Gable. U 727 W-- McCown Hunt, R 990 O. D. Gould, P 495 Scattering 2 20.. WY.^NDOTTE. 9... A. D, Riley, R 1.863 21 J. J. McAlenev, P 1,939 N. B. Berrv, D... 22 10. .J. K. CubKison, R 2,680 22.. C. H.J. Taylor, P 1,276 W. S. Ferguson, D 56 11...A. J.Frail, R 1,689 23. A. A. Burgard, P 1,698 John Arthur, D 14 JOHNSON. 12. ..Nathan Zimmerman, R.. . 2,069 24.. C. M. Dickson, P 1,9,33 W. H. Lemon, D 93 DOUGLAS. Votes .C. N. Bishoflf, R 1,,557 Enos Reed, P 1,149 L.H.Tuttle,D 79 .N. Simmons, R 1,565 A. Holliugsworth, P 994 J. D. Gehring, D 37 FRANKLIN. .John M. Dj'er, R 2,219 R. H. Semple, P 2,386 John Jefferies, D 172 MIAMI. .J. B. Remington, R 2,400 W. H. Foster, P 2,101 LINN. .J. R. Clark, R 2,060 J.W.Tucker, P 2,061 ANDERSON. .John G. Johnson, R 1,571 Manford Schoonover, P... 1,.545 John M. Wyatt, D 08 J. W.Johnson, R 1 ALLEN. .L. B. Pearson, R 1,584 R. F. Baker, P 1.463 BOURBON. .H.J.Butler, R 1,397 J. R. Williams, P 1,318 .D. J. Goono, R 1,348 J. A. Clark, V ' 1,608 CRAWFORD. ■ M. S. Gowin, R 1,595 Hugh Bone, P 2,248 L. L. Hollinger, D 26 .E. Loomis, R 1,522 W. H. Ryan, P 1,810 J. Bayless, D 20 CHEROKEE. .M. L. Walters, P 1,661 W. B. Donald, R 753 Ed. Baker, D 18 170 LETTERS TO CO'ERKOR LEWELLING. Disl. CHEROKEK. ]'oii:s. Di.'-l. 2(1... Hugh McKay, P 1,877 14 . Alexander Warner, R 1.030 S. N. Montgomery, V> 91 LABETTE. 45.. 26... John L. Humphrey, r 1,040 D. M. Bender, R l.GoO G.W. Marly, D 47 27. ..P. A. Morrison, P 1.417 W. G. Hoover, R 1,.')78 4(; B. F. I,uca.s, D IVs MONTGOMERY. 2S...F. M. Benefiel, R 2,S06 47.. A. L. Scott, P 2,467 NEOSHO. 29... L. G.H. Green, R 2,009 ^^^- • J. M. Dunsmore, P 2,178 WILSON. 30...JacobLamb, R 1,812 49 A. Z. Brown, P....- 1,659 WOODSON. 31... J. H. Bayer, R l.O^sj 50.. C. H. Bauersfeld, P 1,029 COFFEY. 32...T.C. Ballinger, R 1.826 51.. O. M. Rice, P 1,826 W. S.Jackson, D 44 OS.A.GE. 52. . 33...E;. O.Williams, R 1,420 John Graham, P 1,732 53.. David Oberg, D 73 34... James T. Pringle, R l.l.VJ Thomas Chappell, P l,1.5.'i 54.. Robert Curley, D 8.') SHAVVNEE. 35.... \. C. Sherman, R 1,634 D. M. Howard, F 1.190 55.. G. F. Kimball, D 12 36... W. B. Swan, R 3.021 Michael Heerv, D 1 .707 .')6. . A. W. Wells, P ,'.7 Scattering 5 37... James A. Troutman, R.... 1.926 John Campbell, P I,o06 57.. N. S. Theakston, D 34 Scattering .33 JACKSON. 58. . 38... Nick Kline, R 9.")9 Ed. Shellabarger, P 766 Moses Farbach, D 81 39...J. F. Pomeroy, R 't^^W ,59. J. L. Rippeto, P 754 BROWN. 40... W. W. Price, R 2,6.")7 J. D. Hardy, P 2.163 J. M. Marcum, U 76 60. NEMAHA. 41... Alexander Hamel, R 2.203 R. D. McCliman, P 2,245 M.\RSHALL. 61. 42. . .William Raeraer, R 2.743 S. B. Berry, P 2,669 POTTAWATOMIE. 43. ..Axel G, A.xelton, R 2,103 62. S. A. Eytchison, P 1,.876 J. D. Pierce, D 257 RILEY. Votes. William Knipe, R. : . . 1,5'6 Josephus Harper, P 1,452 GE.\R\\ .George W. Winans, R 886 Dr. P. Daugherty, P 949 R. L. KepperHng, D 47 B. A. Cormany.D 129 WABAUNSEE. .William Stronig, R 1,3.")2 Joseph Tren, P 1,.')25 LYON. .D. W. Eastman, R 1,369 M. A. Coppock, P 942 J. K. Mayberry, D 62 .C. R. Stone, R 1.212 Charles Moss, P l,6tiC F". H. Simmons, D ir GREENWOOD. .E. W. Claycomb,R 1,769 D.Gleason.P 1,743 ELK. .Joseph Hebb, R 1,213 George W. Crumley, P 1,365 CHAUTAUQU.^. .M. B. Chrisman, R 1.373 A. M. Ross, P 1.314 COWLEY'. .J. H. Gilliland, R 1.872 Ed. F. Green, P 2,043 .F. G. Powers, R 2,010 J. C. Bradshaw, P 1 i)16 BUTLER. .J. M. Satterthwaite, R 2,655 C. M. Noble, P 2,6' 6 Robert Knowles, D 84 CHASE. .R. H. Chandler, R 938 J. S. DoolittJe, P 897 MARION. .E. W. Hoch, R 2,185 Dallas Rogers, I' 1,742 N. W. Gordon. D 48 MORRIS. .H. E. Richter, R 1,378 W. H. White, P 1.370 DICKINSON. .C. Hoffman, R 2,496 M. P. Kelley, P 2.531 T. M.Gunn.D 33 CLAY-. .J.C.Mays, R 1,723 A. A. Newman, P 1 .999 Warren B. Steadman, D.. . .39 Scattering 2 W.^SHINGTON. .John J. Yeatch, R 2,393 D. M. Watson, P 2,693 .Scattering 1 REPUBLIC. .J. M. Foster, R 2,154 J. W. Wiles, P 2,067 L. M. Morris, D 99 CLOUD. .F:d. Hostetter, R 1,973 S. O. Everly,P 2,214 John Beach, D 51 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLIXC. 171 DlSl OTTAWA. I'o/lS. (iS. . -E. W. Miller, R 1,467 George McConkey, P.... 1,506 W. B. Earns, D 50 SALINE. 64 .W A. Knouns, R 1,910 P. H. Dolan, P 2,107 M'PHERSON. 6.5... C J. Stromquist, R 2,:a4 H. Helstrom, P 2,o]G H.C. Zinc, D \)i HARVEY. 06. . John E. Frazer, R 2,109 O. P. Anderson, P 1,673 A. B. Gilchrist, D 44 SEDGWICK. 67... A. J. Weaver, R 1,511 H. W. Ruble, P 1,735 S. Ed. Moore, D 38 68. . George H. Douglass, R. . . 1,750 R. T. Bean, P... 1,224 Dugal Mccormick, D 34 69. . Howard Sowle, R 1,375 F. G. Rawson, P 2,186 .S. A. Bass, D 12 SUMNER. 70... William Hobson. R 1,907 G. E. Meeker, P 1,7', 1 Allen A. Chapman, D 39i) Scattering 63 71. . .John H. Ewing, R 1,524 J. H. Doubleday, P 1,967 E. F. Neal, D. 38 HARPER. 72. ..R. P McCoUock, R.. 1,337 George H. Coulson, P 1,946 KINGMAN. 73. . .M. W. Weeks. R 1,260 T. S. Benefiel, sr., P 1,&47 Scattering 1 BARBER. 74. ..E. Sample, R 981 William Garrison, P 1,332 PRATT. 75 , .David W. Blaine, R 971 W. F. Brown, P 1,145 Scattering 1 RENO. 76. . .J. F. Greenlee, R 1,715 H. D. Freeman, P 1,391 77... J. W. Dix. R 1,535 W. C. Mitchell, P 1,511 STAFFORD. 78...D. C. Carnahan, R a57 Wm. M. Campbell, P 1,212 George Selfridge, D 54 BARTON. 79. . .W. W. Sowords, R 1,441 M. W. Cobun, P 1,715 RICE. 80.. B. D. Hammond, R 1,685" W. M. Kenton. P ] ,8,S5 X. R. Weed, D.. Iii2 ELLSWORTH. 81.,.E. W. Wellinjiton, R 1.070 Joseph Sekavec, P 1 ,095 T.J. Laccy, D 23 D/s/. RUSSELL. I'n/es. 82... Otis L. Atherton, R 1,100 J.F.Hastings,!' 045 LINCOLN. s;i...A. N, Whittington, P 1,284 Thomas Thompson, R 953 Ud. F. Baker, D 4 MITCHELL. M...O. P. Tanquary, R 1,495 George H. McKinnie, 1' . 1,840 Scattering 1 OSBORNE. S5... Poller W. Kenyon, R 1,147 S. W.Hill, P 1,401 JEWELL. S6...J. E. Hawley, R 2,014 E. F. Barnett, P 2,205 SMITH. 87. . .Edwin E. Sessions, R 1,392 J. M. Helm, P 1.900 I. M. Allen, D 44 PHILLIPS. ^'^... P. C. Wagoner, P. 1,241 Henry Ferrett, R 531 ROOKS. .'7 J.J. Wright, P. 424 Dr. P. A. Pearson, D 58 Scattering 2 KIOWA. 94... John W. Davis, R 401 J. W. Hair, P 369 COMANCHE. 95... T. G. Chambers, D .",47 Geo. W. HoUenback, P.. . . i;i7 CLARK. 90. ..Harry J. Bone, R 255 B. F.Morris, P 272 FORD. 07...:\r. W. Sutton, R C.-.5 B. F. Milton, P fvl9 HODGEMAN. OS. . . T. C. Bowie, R 365 James E- Henderson, P. . . 225 NESS. 99... R. O. Elting, R 5-17 l.N. Goodvin, P 542 TREGO. 100... A. H. Blair, R 31:'. S. T. H. Beard, P 287 Scattering 10 172 LETTERS TO COVF.RXOR LEWELLTSG. Dist. GRAHAM. I'l'/tS. ]()]... U. ]'. Williamson. R -W Levi rritchard, P M") NORTON 102. . .Samuel J. Vance, R 1 ,(i-V> W. L. Kerr, P..... I,ii81 Clarence Burnap, D '■'•2 DECATXTR. lO;;. . James M. Crook, R lil') Dan Caster, P ni;,s SHERIDAN. 101. . .J. W. Warner, R :',-l2 W.J. Barnes, P 128 D. A. Freeman, D 1 GOVE. 105... R. D. Anderson, R 31'.' W.J.Evans, P 2;() THOMAS. 106... Joseph A. Gill, R 5li; J. A. Bucklin, P G,')i5 RAWLINS. 107 ... Samuel Wav, R .527 R. S. Hendricks, D o'l'.' H. P. Wlusman, P 4.s.s CHEYENNE. 108. . .L. J. Willits, R .V!'.' Ceo. M. Lambert, P : -15:i SHERMAN. 109. . .Fred. A. Albee, R <",4I Fred. F. Yearick, P (J'.U LOGAN. 110... John F. Coulter, R 117 F. A. Mellen, P 3U\ WALLACE. 111...W. D. Harris, R o7'. John K. Laycock, P 2'X' GREELEY. 112... Wm. 'SI. Gleen, R 1 1.'> C. G. Wilson, R 1:12 Henry Weaver, P .^u V'i/. WICHITA. I'o/fS. n:!...W. J. Chubbuck, R 262 L.J. Davidson, P 200 SCOTT. 1U...L. S. Bover, R .. 152 J. F. Pancake, P 160 LANE. 11.1...C. E. Lobdell, R . olo M. M. Bush, P ISS FINNEY. lir,.. W. R. Hopkins, R 4.58 \V R. Berry, P 365 KEARNY. 117 .F. M Kelley, R 22^ Mansfield Young. P l^o HAMILTON. ns... Alfred Pratt, R 256 John Howe, P 178 Scattering 2 STANTON. 119... S. C. Garner, R 1.^3 T. M. Grissom, P 142 GRANT. 120... Peter Bowers, R 101 F B. Brown, P 119 HASKELL. 121. . .J Rosenthal, D 156 A. \V. Stubbs, R 12:j GRAY. 122.. Ora B Douglass. R 250 John Morrison, P 244 MEADE. 12:i... Robert M. Painter, R 233 James Wilson, I. -R 240 SEWARD. 124.. H. V. Nichols, R 164 L. Lemerts, P 114 STEVENS 125 . . . Charles Moore, R 101 A. H.Drew, P 164 Wm. O'Connor, D 1 Vote for Delegates i'kom counties not Districted. GARFIELD. .T. A. Milton .W. T. Williams... MORTON. . Robt. A. King. .. .A. A. Ridlon. .... 109 72 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLIXC. 173 THE CONGRESSIONAIv CONTEST OF NOVEMBERS, 1892. OFFICIAL, FIGURES OF THE STATE, BY DISTRICTS. Congressman at Large : W. A. Harris, Fusion, total vote 163,634; Geo. T. Anthony, Republican, total vote 156,761; J. M. Monroe, Prohibitionist, total vote 4,055; scattering, 107. First Congressional District: Atchison, Brown, Doni- phan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie, 8 counties, gave Case Broderick, Republican, 19,401 ; Fred J. Close, Fusion, 15,782; T.J.McCormick, Prohibitionist, 276; scattering, 161. Se.CONd Congressional District: Allen, Anderson, Bour- bon, Douglass, Franklin, Johnson, Linn, Miami, and Wj'andotte, 9 counties, gave Edward H. Funston, Republican, 22,900; H. L. Moore, Fusion, 22,817; D. W. Huston, Prohibitionist, 656. Third Congrhssionai, District: Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cowley, Crawford, Elk, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, and Wilson, 9 counties, gave T.J. Hudson, Fusion, 23,998; L. U. Humphrey, Republican, 21,594; M. V. B. Bennett, Prohibitionist, 382. Fourth Congression.\l District: Butler, Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Marion, Morris, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Woodson, 1 1 counties, gave Charles Curtis, Republican, 25,327; E. V. Wharton, Fusion, 22,603; J. R. Silver, Prohibition- ist, 749. Fifth Congressional District: Clay, Cloud, Geary, Dick- inson, Marshall, Ottawa, Republic, Riley, Saline, and Washing- ton, 10 counties, gave John Davis, Fusion, 20,162; J. R. Burton, Republican, 18,842; Horace Hurley, Prohibitionist, 471; Sidney G. Cook, Stalwart Democrat, 568. Sixth Congressional District: Cheyenne, Decatur, ElHs, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, and Wallace, 22 counties, gave William Baker, Fvision, 19,398; H. L. Pestana, Republican, 17,887; Duane Freeman, Democrat, 1,301; Ben Brewer, Prohibitionist, 330. Seventh Congressional District: Barber. Barton, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Garfield, Gree- ley, Hamilton, Harper, Hawley, Hodgeman, Haskell, Kingman, Kiowa, Kearny, Lane, McPherson, Meade, Morton, Ness, Paw- nee, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Rush, Scott, Sedgwick, Seward, Stafford, Stevens, Sumner, Stanton, and Wichita, 37 couniies, gave Jen*y Simpson, Fusion, 33,822; Chester I. Long, Republican, 32,053; W, E. Woodward, Prohibitionist, 583. 174 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. JUDICIAL DISTRICTS. First District, I,eavenworth, Jackson, and JefFersou Counties Iv. A. Myers, Judge. Second District, Atchison County, \V. D. Webb, Judge Third District, Shawnee County, Z. T. Hazeu, Judge. Fourth District, Douglas, Franklin, and Anderson Counties, A. W. Benson, Judge. Fifth District, Lyon County, William A. Randolph, Judge. Sixth District, Bourbon County, J. S. West, Judge. Seventh District, Woodson County, L. Stillwell, Judge. Eighth District, Davis, Dickinson, and Morris Counties, Janie-^ Plumphrey, Judge. Ninth District, Reno and Harvey Counties. F. L. Martin Judge. Tenth District, Johnson and Miami Counties, John T. Burris Judge. Eleventh District, Cherokee, l^abette, and ^lontgomery Conn ties, J. D. McCue, Judge. Twelfth District, Cloud, Republic, and Washington Counties, F. W. Sturges, Judge. Thirteenth District, Cowle}-, Elk, and Chautauqua Counties, A. M.Jackson, Judge. Fourteenth District, Lincoln, Ellsworth, and Russell Counties, W. G, Eastland, Judge. Fifteenth District, Mitchell, Osborne, Jewell, and Smith Coun- ties, Cyrus Heren, Judge. Sixteenth District, Pawnee, Edwards, Hodgeman, and Garfield Counties, S. W. Vandivert, Judge. Seventeenth District, Phillips, Norton, Decatiir, Rawlins, and Cheyenne Counties, G. Webb Bertram, Judge. Eighteenth District, Sedgwick County, C. Reed, Judge. Nineteenth District, Sumner County, James A. Ray, Judge. Twentieth District, Rice, Barton, and Stafford Counties, J. H. Bailey, Judge. Twenty-first District, Riley, Marshall, and Clay Counties, R. B. Spilmau, Judge. Twenty-second District, Doniphan, Brown, and Netnaha Conn ties, J. F. Thompson, Judge. Twenty-third District, Ellis, Trego, (Vovi-. I.')<^an, and Wallace Counties, S. J. Osborn, Judge. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELIJXO. 175 Twent}'-fourlh District, Harper and Barber Counties, G, W. McKay, Judge. Twenty-fifth District, McPhersou, Marion, and Chase Coun- ties, IvUcieu Earle, Judge. Twenty-sixth District, Butler and Greenwood Counties, C. W. Shinn, Judge. Twenty-seventh District, Finney, Gray, Ford, Kearny, and Hamilton Counties, A. J. Abbott, Judge. Twenty-eighth District, Kingman, Pratt, and Kiowa Counties, W, O. Bashore, Judge. Twenty-ninth District, Wyandotte County, H. L. Alden, Judge. Thirtieth District, Ottawa and Saline Counties, R. F. Thomp- son, Judge. Thirty-First District, Meade, Clark, and Comanche Counties, Francis C. Price, Judge. Thirty-second District, Seward, Stevens, Morton, Haskell, Graut, and Stanton Counties, W. E. Hutchinson, Judge. Thirty-third District, Rush, Ness, Lane, Scott, Wichita, and Greeley Counlies, V. H. Grinstead, Judge. Thirt3--fourth District, Rooks, Graham, Sheridan, Thomas, and Sherman Counties, Charles W. Smith, Judge. Thirty-fifth District, Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee, and Osage Counties, William Thomson Judge. Circuit Court of Shawnee County, J. B. Johnson, Judge. Court of Common Pleas of Wyandotte County, Thomas P. Anderson, Judge. 176 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. TERRITORIAL GOVERNORS OF KANSAS. The following is a list of the Territorial Governors of Kansas with the date and term of service of each : Andrew H. Reeder, the first Governor of Kansas Territory, took the oath of office July 7, 1854. His official service ceased August 16, 1855, having been removed from office by the President. Daniel Woodsou, Secretary of the Territory, by virtue of office, in the absence of Governor Reeder from the Territory, be- came Acting Governor April 17, 1S55, and continued to act until the Governor's return, June 23, 1855, and again acted as Gov- ernor after Governor Reeder's removal from office, from August 16, 1855, till Governor Shannon entered upon his office^ Septem- ber 7, 1855. Wilson Shannon assumed the duties of the office of Governor September 7, 1855, and continued in the office until August 18, 1856- Daniel Woodson, Secretary, again acted as Governor from June 24 to July 7, 1856, and then again from August iS, 1856, till September 9, 1856. John W. Geary became Governor September 9, 1S56, and served till March 12, 1857. Daniel Woodson, Secretary' of the Territory, then again acled as Governor from March 12, 1857, till April 16, 1857. Frederick P. Stanton, having been appointed Secretary of the Territory, assumed office as Acting Governor April 16, 1857, and continued in that capacity until May 27, 1857. Robert J. AValker became Governor May 27th, and served till November 16, 1857. Frederick P. Stanton, Secretary, again acted as Governor from November 16, 1857, to December 21, 1857. James W. Denver, having been appointed Secretary of the Territory, became Acting Governor December 21, 1857, and served as such till May 12, 1858, when he received the appoint- ment of Governor. He continued in office as Governor till Octo- ber 10, 1858, when he resigned. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 177 Hugh S, Walsh, Secretary of the Territory, became Acting Governor October lo, 1858, and serv^ed as such till December 20, 1858. Samuel Medary became Governor, December 20, 1858, and continued in office till December '.",, i860. George M. Beebe, Secretary of the Territory, became Acting Governor December 17, i860, and continued to act in that capacily till February 9, 1861, at which time notice of the admission of Kansas into the Union was received. The first Territorial Legislature met at the town of Pawnee, near Fort Riley, July 2, 1855. It adjourned from that place July 6lh, and met again at Shawnee Mission, near Westport, on the i6th of July, where it held its session until the 30th of August. The second session was begun at the city of Lecompton Janu- ary 12, 1857, and adjourned February 20, 1S57. The third session, was begun at Lecompton December 7, 1857, and was held till December 17, 1857, when it adjourned. This was a special session. The fourth session was begun at Lecompton January 4, 1858, and on the 5th adjourned, and met at Lawrence January 8, 1858, where the session was continued until the 12th of February. The fifth session was begun at Lecompton January 3, 1859, adjourned to Lawrence on the 4th, and met at Lawrence on the 7th, where the session was held until February 11, 1859. The sixth session was begun at Lecompton January 2, i860, and adjourned January 6th, and met at Lawrence January 7th, where it held its session until January 18, 1S60 The seventh session — the Legislature again met in special session at Lecompton January 19, i860, and adjourned on the 2otli, and met at Lawrence on the 21st, where it held its session until February 27th. The eighth session of the Legislature met at Lecompton Jan- uary 7, 1861, and adjourned January 8th, and met at Lawrence Januarj' 9th, where it held its session until Febiuary 2, 1861. ~n~ 1 78 LE TTERS TO COl 'ERNOR LE WELLING. GOVERNORS OF KANSAS. ]861 TO 1893. Charles Robinson i86i to 1863 Thomas Carney, 1863 to 1S65 Samuel J. Crawford 1865 to 1869 N. Green (three months, to fill vacancy) 1869 James M. Harvey 1869 to 1873 Thomas A. Osboin 1873 to 1877 George T. Anthony 1877 to 1879 John P. St. John 1879 to 1883 George W. Glick 1883 to 1885 John A. Martin 1885 to 1889 Lymau U. Humphrey 1889 to 1893 KANSAS IN CONGRESS. UNITED STATES SENATORS. William A. Peffer, Pop 'I'opeka Term expires 1897 John Martin, I>ein.-Pop Topeka Term expires 1895 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. W. A. Harris, Cong, at Large, Dem.-Pop. Leavenworth Term expires 1895 Case Broderick, ist Dist., Rep Ho. ton Term expires 1895 Edward H. Funston, 2d Dist., Rep loUi Term expires 1895 T. J. Hudson, 3d Dist., Dem.-Pop Fredonia Term expires 1S95 Chas. Curtis, 4th Dist., Rep Topeka Term expires 1895 John Davis, 5th Dist,, Pop Junction Cit}- Term expires 1895 William Baker, 6th Dist., Pop Lincoln Term expires 1805 Jerry Simpson, 7th DisL, Pop Medicine Lodge. .Term expires 1.S95 LETTERS TO GOVER.\OR LE WELLING. 179 REGISTER OF STATE GOVERNMENT. 1893-94. KXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. Elected. November 8, 1892; terms expire January, 1895. Office. Xante. Residence. Politics. Governor L,. D. Lewelliug Wichita Populist. Lieutenant-Governor Percy Daniels Girard Populist. Secretary of State R. S. Osborn Stockton Populist. Auditor of State ^■an B. Prather Columbus Populist. Treasurer of State W. H.Biddle Augusta Populist. Supt. Public Instruction H. N. Gaines Salina Popnlist. Attorney-General J. T. Little Ola the Populist. SUPREME COURT. Od'Ce. .\a/>if. Term of Office. Residence. Roli/tcs. Chief Justice. ..Albert H. Hortou.Nov., 'OO.Jan., '97. Atchison Republican. Assoc, justice. .W. A. Johnston. . .Nov., '88. Jan., '9.5. Minneapolis. Republican. Assoc Justice. S. H. Allen Nov., ';i2. Jan., ".Mt.Pleasanton. ..Populist. LIST OF SUBORDINATE OFFICERS x\ND CLERKS OF DEPARTMENTS. SUPREME COURT. C. J. Brown, Clerk Topeka Republican. E. D. Wright, Deputy Clerk Topeka Republican. A. M. F. Randolph, Reporter Burlington Republican. W. \. Binns, Copyist Topeka Republican. Henry Wilton, Copyist Topeka Republican. Miss Ella Spencer, Stenographer Topeka Republican. Clifton B. Holbert, Stenographer to Chief Justice. Atchison Republican. Wm. A. Smith, Stenog. to Assoc. Justice Johnston. Topeka Republican- B. F. Martin, Stenog. to .\ssoc. Justice ,\llen Alma Democrat. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. Fred J. Close, Private Secretary Troy Populist. J. B. French, E.vecutive Clerk Topeka Populist. Miss Jessie Lewelling, Stenographer Wichita. Populist. .Miss Edith Coles. Clerk Topeka Populist. 180 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING, SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE. D. C. Zercher, Assistant Secretary Olathe Populist. E. Scott Rice, Chief Clerk Smith Center.. .Populist. J. W. Morphy, Recording Secretary Atwood Populist. CarlOsborn, Charter Clerk Stockton Populist. N. N. Neher, Commission Clerk Stockton. Populist. ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S OFFICE. Noah Allen, Assistant Attorney-General Wichita Populist. Miss Minnie Hodges, Stenographer Olathe Populist. AUDITOR'S OFFICE. R. J. Mackey, Assistant Auditor Fredonia. Populist. Mrs. Van B. Prather, Clerk Columbus Populist. Maj. A. P. Shreve, Clerk Topeka Democrat. W. G. Hubbard, Clerk Galena Populist. W. E. Topping, Clerk Columbus Populist. Bert Brewster, .Stenographer Burrton Populist. TREASURER'S OFFICE. George M. Seward, Assistant Treasurer Topeka.. Republican. W. D. McKinstrey, Clerk Wellington Populist H. T. Brown, Clerk .' Douglass Populist J. M. Morgan, Clerk Chetopa Populist. Miss Corda Brown, Stenographer. Topeka Populist. SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION'S OFFICE. W. D. .Struble, Assistant Salina Populist. D. D. Hornaday, Bond Clerk Abilene Populist. Miss M. X,. Achenbach, Stenographer Topeka Populist. STATE LIBRARL\N. H. J. Dennis, Librarian Topeka Republican. Miss Alice Ordway „ Topeka Republican. Jacob J. Falls, Clerk Topeka Republican. LETTERS TO (rOVERXOR LEU'ELLIXG 181 REGISTER OF THE LECxISLATURE. 1893-94. MEMBERS OF THE SENATE. Dist. Xante. Post-nfficr. County. Politics. 1 J. D. Williamson Troy Doniphan Republican. 2 John M. Price Atchison Atchison Republican. 3. ...L,ucien Baker Leavenworth Leavenworth.. Republican. 4 Edwin Taj-lor Edwardsville Wyandotte People's Party. •"> Solon O. Thacher Lawrence Douglas Republican. fi J. W. Parker Olathe Johnson Republican. 7 Dr. E. T. Metcalf. Colony Anderson Republican. 8 W. P. Dillard Fort Scott Bourbon P. P.-Dem. 9 H. M. Reid Fleming Crawford People's Party. 10.... M. A. Householder Columbus Cherokee People's Party. 11 J. H. Reilly Parsons Labette People's Party. 12 D. McTaggart Liberty Montgomery. .Republican. 13 John C. Carpenter Chanute Neosho Republican. 14 Chas. F. Scott. Tola •\llen Republican. 15 J. W. Leedy LeRoy Coffey People's Party. 16. ...H. G. Jumper Melvern Osage People's Party. 17. ...Wm. E. Sterne Topeka Shawnee Republican. 18. ...H. F. Robbins Wheaton Pottawatomie. Republican. 10. . . .James Shearer Frankfort Marshall People's Party. I ). ...Wm. Rodgers Barnes Washington ..People's Party. 21. .. .A, E. True Vera Wabaunsee ...People's Party. 22. ...M. Senn Enterprise Dickinson People's Party. 2:1. ...Wm. A. ^lorgan Cottonwood Falls. Chase. Republican. '24. ...Levi Dumbauld Hartford Lyon People's Party. 25. .. .A. W. Dennison El Dorado Butler People's Party. 2(i. ...Jason Helmick Cloverdale Chautauqua.. .People's Party. 27... .Louis P. King Tannehill Cowley People's Party, 28. . ..A. G. Forney .. ..Belle Plaine Sumner People's Party. 29 Ed. O'Bryan Wichita Sedgwick P. P.-Dem. 30. ...S. T. Danner Newton Harvey Republican. 31 R. E. Baldwin Ada Ottawa People's Party. 32 George D. Bowling.... Belleville.. Republic People's Party. 3:! Anson S. Cooke Beloit Mitchell People's Party. 3 1 W. B. Helm Ellsworth Ellsworth People's Party. 35.,.. John Armstrong Great Bend Barton People's Party. 36.... J. M. Leeds Turon Reno People's Party. 37. ...H F. Landis Medicine Lodge . .Barber People's Party. 3-(.... Milton Brown Garden City Finney Republican. 39 K. E. Willcockson Oakley Logan Republican. 40. ...Geo. 5. Smith Germantown Smith People' »• Party, 1 S2 LETTF.RS TO (iO J 'E RXOR L F II 'EL L INC. vSUBORDINATE OFFICERS OF THE vSENATE. Office. Name. Post-office. Politia. Secretary W. L. Brown Kingman Populist. Assistant Secretary .S. L. Gilbert Wichita Democrat. Sergeant-at-Arms David Slmll Leavenworth. .Populist. Assistant Sergeant-at-Arnis..F. V. Close Abilene Populist. Journal Clerk .\. D. Gilpin Lincoln Populist. Assistant Journal Cterk L. A. McDonald Leavenworth. .Democrat Docket Clerk A. B. Chaffee Emporia Populist. Assistant Docket Clerk F. M. Eastwood . ...Girard Populist. Postmistress Mrs. Sam Wood Topeka Populist. Assistant Postmaster John Forbes Fort vScott Democrat. Enrolling Clerk Miss Anna Cherry. .Parsons Populist. Document Clerk R. Larimer Columbus Populist. Assistant Document Clerk.. .J. P. Stevens Wellsville Populist. LIST OF SENATE COMMITTEES. Session of 1S93. TUDICIARY. — Dennison, chairman ; Dillard, O'Bryau, Cook Baldwin, Leeds, Carpenter, Brown, Thacher. Ways and Means. — Rodgers, chairman ; Dumbauld, King, Forney, Landis, Parker, Baker. Elections. — Leedv, chainnan ; Bowling, Shearer, Smith, Baker. Feder.\l Relations. — Dillard, chairman ; Helmick, Reed, Williamson, Metcalf. R.\ilROADS. — Householder, chairman ; Senn, Reilly, Leedy, Helm, Jumper, Sterne, Banner, Robbins. Assessment and Taxation. — Senn, chairman; True, Arm- .strong, Willcockson, Morgan. Fees and S-\L.a.RIES. — Taylor, chairman ; Jumper, Laiulis, Baker, Willcockson. MUNiciP.\L Indebtedness.— O'Bryan, chairnu^n; Forney, Leeds, Hotiseholder, Price, McTaggart, Carpenter. Corporations. — Bowling, chairman ; King, True, Cook, Parker. St.\TE Affairs. — Helm, chairman; Taylor, Smith, William- son, Thacher. District Apportionment. — ^J tamper, chairman; Leeds, Denni- son, Dillard, Reed, Rodgers, Carpenter, Brown, Williamson. Engrossed Bills. — Fornev, chairman ; Cook, Helm, Banner, O'Bryan. LE'lTERS TO GOVERNOR LEU'ELLIXG. 1S3 Enrolled Bills.— Leeds, chainnan; Smith, vSenii, Carpenter, Scott. Agriculture. — King, chairman ; Armstrong, Shearer, Rob- bius, McTaggart. Temperance. — Morgan, chairman ; Baldwin, Helmick, Taylor, Williamson. Penal and Charitable Institutions. — Armstrong, chair- man ; Reed, Reilh', Metcalf, McTaggart. Manufactures and Industrial Pursuits. — Reilly, chair- man ; Bowling, Forney, McTaggart, Sterne. Mines and Mining. — Reed, chairman; Jumper, Householder, Baker, Morgan. Banking and Insurance. — Baldwin, chairman ; Landis, Leedy, Sterne, O'Bryan. Printing. — Cook, chairman ; Landis, Householder, Scott, Parker. Education and Educational Institutions. — Landis, chair- man; Dumbauld, Baldwin, King, Banner. Public Buildings. — Dumbauld, chairman ; Helm, Leedy, Senn, Rodgers. Cities of First Class.— Thacher, chairman ; Dillard, Denni- son, Price, Taylor, Forney, Smith. Cities of Second and Third Class. — Shearer, chairman ; Dillard, Scott, Price, Willcockson, Reilly, Baldwin. Roads and Bridges. — Smith, chairman ; Taylor, Helmick, Danuer, Scott. County Se.a.ts and County Lines. — True, chairman ; Denni- son. Jumper, Brown, Morgan. Military Affairs and Claims. — Helmick, chairman ; Rodg- ers, Bowling, Robbins, Metcalf. Public Health and Immigr.\tion. — Metcalf, chairman; Armstrong, True, Dumbauld, McTaggart. MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 1893-1894. DistJ Name. Post-office. County. Politics. 1. . .J. A. Campbell Severance Doniphan Republican. 2. . .John Seaton Atchison Atchison Republican. 3...C. A. Woodworth Muscotah Atchison People's Party. 4...C. H. Phinney McLouth Jefferson Republican. 5. ..Lewis H. Gest Valley Falls Jefferson People's Party- 6. . .Stephen Meagher Kaston Leaven worth.. Democrat. 7...H. C. F. Hackbusch... Leaven worth Leavenworth. .Republican. 184 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLTXG. Disf. Nc.mr. Pos/-(>_fficr. County. Politics. 8. ..McCowii 11 II 11 1. . Leavenworth L,eaven\vorth.. Republican. 9. . J. J. McAleney Kansas Citj', Kas. Wyandotte. . . .People's Party. 10. . .J. K. Cubbison Kansas City, Kas. Wyandotte Republican. 11. . .A. A. Burgard Muncie Wyandotte People's Party. 12.. .N. Zimmerman. Olathe Johnson Republican. 13.. .Dr. C. N. Bishoff. Eudora Douglas Republican. 11. . .Dr. N. Simmons Lawrence Douglas Republican. 1.5 . . .Robt. H. Semple Ottawa Franklin People's Partj'. 16.. .J. B. Remington Osawatomie Miami Republican . 17. ..J. W. Tucker Pleasanton Linn People's Party. 18.. .John G. Johnson Garnett.... Anderson Republican. 19... L. B. Pearson Humboldt Allen Republican. 20.. .H. J. Butler Fort Scott Bourbon Republican. 21. . .J. A. Clark Barnesville Bourbon People's Party. 22. . .Hugh Bone Fleming Crawford People's Party. ■23. . .W. H. Ryan Brazilton Crawford People's Party. 24. ..C. L. Walters Scatnmonville . . . .Cherokee People's Party. 25.. .Alex. Warner Baxter Springs Cherokee Republican. 26. . .J. L. Humphrey Mound Valley . .. .Labette People's Party. 27.. .P. A. Morrison Altamont Labette People's Party. 28. . .F. M. Benefiel Coffey ville Montgomery. .Republican. 29. . .J. M. Dunsmore Tha3'er Neosho Democrat. 30.. .Jacob Lamb Fredonia Wilson Republican. 31. ..J. H. Bayer Yates Center Woodson Republican. 32. . .T. C. Ballinger Burlington Coffey Republican. .33... John Graham Peterton Osage People's Party. 34. . .Thomas Chappell Scran ton Osage People's Party. 3d. . .A. C. Sherman Rossville Shawnee Republican. 36...Wm. B. Swan Topeka Shawnee Republican. 37. . .James A. Troutnian. .Topeka Shawnte Republican. 38. . .Nicholas Kline Muscotah Jackson Republican. 39.. .J. F. Pomeroy Hoi ton Jackson Republican. 40. . .W. W. Price F;verest Brown Republican. 41.. .R. D. McCliman Capioma Nemaha People's Party. 42. . .Wm. Raemer, Jr Herkimer Marshall Republican. 43.. .A. G. Axelton Randolph Pottawatomie. Republican. 44.. .Rev. Wm. Knipe Manhattan Riley Republican. 45. ..Dr. P. Daugherty Junction City Geary Peo. Par.-Dem. 46. . .Joseph Tren Halifax Wabaunsee People's Party. 47... D. W. Kastman Emporia Lyon Republican. 48.. .Charles Moss .\llen Lyon People's Party. 40. .E. W. Clayconib Eureka Greenwood Republican. 5U. . G. W. Crumley Grenola Elk People's Party. 51.. .M. B. Chrisman Wauneta Chautauqua . .Republican. 52. . .Ed. Green Arkansas City. . ..Cowley People's Parly. 53. . .F. G. Bowers Win field Cowley Republican. 54. . .C. M. Noble Freedom Butler People's Party. 55.. .R. H. Chandler Bazaar Chase Republican. 56.. .E. W. Hoch Marion Marion Republican. 57. . .H. E. Richter Council Grove Morris Republican. LETTERS TO GOl'ERXOR LEW'ELLING. ISS Dist. Name. Post-nfjirr. Coitiily. Politics. 58. . .M. P Kelley Chapman Dickinson People's Party. 59. . .A. A. Newman Cla}- Center Ciay People'.s Partj-. (■0 ..D. M. Watson Knosdale Washington . .People's Party. CI.. J. M. Foster White Rock Republic Republican. 62... S. O. Everly Graves Cloud People's Party. 63. ..Geo. McConkej' Minneapolis Ottawa People's Party. 64... P. H. Dolan Salina Saline People's Party. 65...Chas. T. Stromquist. .Smoky Hill MqPherson Republican. 66. . .John E. Frazier Halstead Harvey Republican. 67... H. W. Ruble Greenwich >Sedgwick People's Party. 68 . . . Geo. L,. Douglass Wichita .Sedgwick Republican. 69... F. G Rawson..." Mount Hope Sedgwick People's Party. 70. . .Dr. Wm. Hobson Conway Springs. .Sumner Republican. 71. ..J. M. Doubleday Caldwell Sumner People's Party. 72. . .Geo. H. Coulson Anthony Harper People's Party. 73... T. S. Benefiel,Sr Nashville Kingman People's Party. 74. . .Wm. Garrison Medicine Lodge . .Barber .People's Party. 75... W. F. Brown Caven Pratt People's Party. 76. . .J. F. Greenlee Hutchinson Reno Republican. 77, . .J. W. Dix Lerado Reno Republican, 78. . . Wm. Campbell Antrim Stafford People's Party. 79... M. W. Cobun Great Bend Barton People's Party. 80. . .Wm. M. Kenton Raymond Rice People's Party. 81... Joseph Sekavec Alliance Ellsworth People's Party. 82. ..Otis L. Atherton Russell ..Russell Republican. 8 ;.. .A. N. \\'hittington Lincoln Lincoln People's Party. 84. ..Geo. H. McKinnie Beloit Mitchell People's Part\ . 85... S. W. Hill Alton Osborne People's Party. 86. ..E. F. Barnett Esbon Jewell People's Party. 87 ..J. M. Helm • Lebanon Smith People's Party. 88. . .P. C. Wagoner Logan Phillips People's Party. 89... James vS. Shaw Plainville Rooks Republican. 90.. .B. F. Replogle Hays City Ellis Peoples Party. 91. ..Samuel I. Hale LaCrosse Rush Republican. 92. ..A. H Lupfer Larned ., Pawnee People's Party. 93... J. J. Wright. Kinsley Edwards People's Party. 94. ..J. W. Davis Greensbiirg Kiowa Republican. 95. ..T. G. Chambers Coldwater Comanche Democrat. 96... B. V. Morris Lexington ..Clark People's Party. 97... M. W. Sutton Dodge City Ford Republican. 98. . .Dr. T. C. Bowie Hodgeman Hodgeman.... Republican. 99. . .Richard O. lilting Kansada Ness Republican. 100. ..A. H. Blair Wa Keeney. Trego Republican. 101... Levi Pritchard Hill City Graham People's Party. 102... W. L Kerr Norton Norton People's Party. 103. . .Dan Caster Oberlin Decatur People's Party. 104... W. J. Barnes Hoxie Sheridan People's Party. 105. . .R. D. Anderson Grinnell Gove Republican. 106... J. A. Bucklin Oakley Thomas People's Party. 107. . .Samuel Way Mirage Rawlins Republican. 184 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLTXG, Disf. Ncmr. Poit-ojficr. County. Politics. 8...McCowii Hiinl. . r^caveu worth lycaven worth.. Republican. 9. ..J. J.McAlciiey Kansas Citj-, Kas. Wyandotte. .. .People's Parly. 10. . .J. K. Cubbisou Kansas City, Kas. Wyandotte Republican. 11. ..A. A. Burgard Muncie Wyandotte People's Party. 12.. .N. Zimmerman. Ola the Johnson Republican. 13.. .Dr. C. N. Bishoff. Eudora Douglas Republican. 14. . .Dr. N. Simmons Lawrence Douglas Republican. 1.5. . .Robt. H. Semple Ottawa Franklin People's Party. 36.. .J. B. Remington Osawatom.ie Miami Republican . 17... J. W. Tucker Pleasanton Linn People's Party. 18.. .John G. Johnson Gainett Anderson Republican. 19... ly. B. Pearson Humboldt Allen Republican. 20... H. J. Butler Fort Scott Bourbon Republican. 21. . .J. A. Clark Barnes ville Bourbon People's Party. '22. . .Hugh Bone Fleming Crawford People's Party. 23. ..W. H. Ryan Brazil ton Crawford People's Party. '24. ..C. L. Walters Scammouville Cherokee People's Party. 25 . . . Alex. Warner Baxter Springs Cherokee Republican. 26... J. I,. Humphrey Mound Valley . . . .Labette People's Party. 27.. .P. A. Morrison Altamont Labette People's Party. '28. . .F. M. Bencfiel Coffey ville Montgomery. .Republican. 29.. .J. M. Dunsmore Thayer Neosho Democrat. 30.. .Jacob Lamb Fredonia Wilson Republican. 31. . .J. H. Bayer Yates Center Woodson Republican. 32. ..T. C. Ballinger Burlington Coffey Republican. 33 . . .John Graham Peterton Osage People's Party. 34. ..Thomas Chappell Scranton Osage People's Party. 3d.. .A. C. Sherman Rossville Shawnee Repiiblican. 36... Wm. B. Swan Topeka Shawnee Republican. 37.. .James A. Troutman. .Topeka Shawnee Republican. 38. . .Nicholas Kline Muscotah Jackson Repiiblican. 39.. .J. F. Poraeroy Hoi ton Jackson Republican. 40.. .W. W. Price Everest Brown Republican. 41.. .R. D. McCliman Capioma Nemaha People's Party. 42. . .Wm. Raemer, Jr Herkimer Marshall Republican. 43.. .A. G. Axel ton Randolph Pottawatomie. Republican. 44.. .Rev. Wm. Knipe Jlanhattan Rilej- Republican. 4j. . .Dr. P. Daugherty Junction City Geary Peo. Par.-Dem. 46. . .Joseph Tren Halifax Wabaunsee People's Party. 47.. .D. W. Eastman Emporia Lyon Republican. 48.. .Charles Moss Allen Lyon People's Party. 49. .E. W. Claycomb Eureka Greenwood Republican. 50.. G. W. Crumley Grenola Elk People's Party. 51.. .M. B. Chrisman Wauneta Chautauqua . .Republican. 52.. .Ed. Green Arkansas City Cowley People's Party. 53. . .F. G. Bowers Win field Cowley Republican. 54. . .C. M. Noble Freedom Butler People's Party. 55... R. H. Chandler Bazaar Chase Republican. 56... E. W. Hoch Marion Marion Republican. 57... H. E. Richter Council Grove Morris Republican. LETTERS TO GOJ'ERXOR LEWELLING. ISS Disl. Name. Post-nffirr . Couiily. PolHics. 58... M. r Kellej- Chapman Dickinson Peoples Party. 59. ..A. A. Newman Clay Center Ciay Peoples Party. 60 ..D. M. Watson Knosdale Wa.shington ..People's Party. CI.. .J. M. Foster White Rock Republic Republican. 62... S. O. Everly Graves Cloud People's Party. 63... Geo. McConkey Minneapolis Ottawa People's Party. 64... P. H. Dolan vSalina Saline People's Party. 65 . . .Chas , T . Stromquist . . . Smoky Hill Mc^Pherson Republican. 66. ..John E. Frazier Halstead Harvey Republican. 67... H. W. Ruble Greenwich pedgwick People's Party. 68 . . . Geo. L. Douglass Wichita Sedgwick Republican. 69...F. G Rawson..." Mount Hope Sedgwick People's Party. 70. ..Dr. Wm. Hobson Conway Springs. .Sumner Republican. 71... J. M. Doubleday Caldwell Sumner People's Party. 72. . .Geo. H. Coulson Anthony Harper People's Party. 73... T. S. Bencfiel, Sr Nashville . Kingman People's Party. 74... Wm. Garrison Medicine Lodge ..Barber People's Party. 75... W. F. Brown Caven Pratt People's Party. 76... J. F. Greenlee Hutchinson. Reno Republican. 77, ..J. W. Dix Lerado Reno Republican, 78... Wm. Campbell Antrim Stafford People's Party. 79... M. W. Cobun Great Bend Barton People's Party. 80. ..Wm. M. Kenton Raymond Rice People's Party. 81... Joseph Sekavec Alliance Ellsworth People's Party. 82... Otis L. Atherton Russell ..Russell Republican. 81...A. N. Whittington Lincoln Lincoln People's Party. 84... Geo. H. McKinnie Beloit Mitchell People's Party. 85. ..S. W. Hill Alton Osborne People's Party. 86. , .E. F. Harnett Esbon Jewell People's Party. 87 . . J . M. Helm Lebanon Smith People's Party. 88... P. C. Wagoner Logan Phillips People's Party. 89... James S. Shaw Plainville Rooks Republican. 90. . .B. F . Replogle Hays City Ellis People s Party. 91. . .Samuel I. Hale LaCrosse Rush Republican. 92... A. H Lupfer Larned., Pawnee People's Party. 93... J. J. Wright. Rinsley Edwards People's Party. 94... J. W. Davis Greensbprg Kiowa Republican. 95. . .T. G. Chambers Coldwater Comanche Democrat. 96... B. F. Morris Lexington ..Clark People's Party. 97 ... M. W. Sutton Dodge City Ford Republican. 98. ..Dr. T. C. Bowie Hodgeman Hodgeman. ...Republican. 99... Richard O. Elting Kansada Ness... Republican. 100... A. H. Blair Wa Keeuej'.. Trego Republican. 101 .. . Levi Pritchard Hill City Graham People's Party. 102... W. L Kerr Norton Norton People's Party. 103. ..Dan Caster Oberlin Decatur People's Party. 104... W.J. Barnes Hoxie Sheridan People's Party. 105... R. D. Anderson Grinnell Gove Republican. 106. . .J. A. Bucklin Oakley Thomas People's Parly. 107... Samuel Way Mirage Rawlins Republican. 186 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEUELLING. Dist. Na»n\ I'ost-ojficc. Coini/y. I'olilics. lO.S. . . L. J. Willits St. Francis Cheyenne Republican. 109. . .Fred. E. Vearick La Blanche Sherman People's Party. 110... J. F. Coulter Russell .Springs.. .Logan Republican. 111. . .W. D. Harris Sharon Springs. . .Wallace Republican. 112... W. M. Glenn Tribune Greeley Republican. 113... M'. J. Chubbuck Leoti Wichita Republican. 114. . .J. F. Pancake Scott City Scott People's Party. 115... C. E. I,obdell Dighton Lane Republican. 116... W. R. Hopkins Garden City Finney Republican. 117 ..F. M. Kelley Kendall Kearny Republican. 118. . .Alfred Pratt Sj'racuse Hamilton Republican. 119... T. M. Grissom Johnson City Stanton People's Party. 120... Peter Bovvers Ulysses Grant Republican. r21. . Joseph Rosenthal Santa Fe Haskell Republican. 1'22. . .O. B. Douglass Ingalls Gray Republican. 123. . .James Wilson Meade Meade Independ. Rep. 124 . . .Dr. H. V. Nichols Liberal Seward Republican. 125... A. H. Drc'v Hiigoton Stevens .People's Party. DELEGATES FROM COUNTIES ISTOT DISTRICTED. T. A. Milton Ravanna Garfield Democrat. Richard A. King Richfield Morton Republican , OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE. Office. Name. Residence. Politici. Speaker George L. Douglass Wichita Republican. Speaker //-o tem E. W. Hoch Marion Republican, Chief Clerk Frank L. Brown Garnett Republican Asst. Chief Clerk John Q. Royce Smith Center Republican. Reading Clerk L. S. Sears Topeka Republican. Journal Clerk T. A. Filson Atchison Republican. Asst. Journal Clerk... J. A. Buckles Ulysses Republican. Docket Clerk R. M. Fulton Winchester Republican. Asst. Docket Clerk MissB. HoUingshead.. Garnett Republican. Document Clerk W. G. Patten Cottonwood Falls . . Republican. Sergeant-at-Arms C. C. Clevenger Yates Center Republican. Asst. Serg't-at-Arms..W. H. Young Kansas City Republican. Asst. Serg't-at-Arms. .C. N. Points Havensville Republican. Asst. Serg't-at-Arms. .A. C. Jordan Lyons Republican. Asst. Serg't-at-Arms. .C. P. Kern Coldwater Republican. Asst. Serg't-at-Arms.. W. P. Wilcox Emporia ..Republican. Asst. Serg't-at-Arms. .George Higgins Topeka Republican. Asst. Serg't-at-Arms.. L. E. Clogston Eureka ...» Republican. Chief Doorkeeper J. R. Miller., Topeka Republican. Doorkeeper Geo. W. Dusenbery. . ..Mullinville Republican. Doorkeeper ..A. Barton Topeka Republican. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 187 Office. Xante. Residence. Politics. Doorkeeper M. Benjamin Kansas City Republican. Doorkeeper F. M. Higgason Belleville Republ ica n- Doorkeeper Albert Marter Topeka Republican. Chief Enrolling Clerk. Mrs. L. C. Hughes Kansas City Republican. LIST OF HOUSE COMMITTEES. Session of 189^. Judiciary. — Lobdell, chairman ; Chambers, Sutton, Cubbison, Rosenthal, Hopkins, Glenn, Troutnian, Davis, Hale, Johnson, Eutler, Dunsmore, Doubleday, McKinnie, Daugherty, Everly, Green, Ryan, Semple. Ways and Means. — Remington, chairman; Phinne}-, Wilson, Bishoff, Eastman, Hopkins, Hunt, Blair, Greenlee, Knipe, Pratt, Warner, Hoch, Troutman, Chambers, Cobun, Newman, Garrison, Whittington, Caster, Daugherty, Pancake. Railroads. — Greenlee, chairman; Seaton, Atherton, Cham- bers, Eastman, Price, Hackbusch, Pearson, Sherman, Kelley of •Kearny, Powers, Hoch, Stromquist, Coulter, Cubbison, Nichols of Seward, Campbell of Doniphan, Campbell of Stafford, Whit- tington, Ruble, McConkey, McKinnie, Benefiel of Kingman, Ryan, Kenton. Agriculture. — Zimmerman, chairman; Chrisman, Foster, Pomeroy, Axelton, Bayer, Chandler, Dolan, Yearick, Crumley. St.\TE Affairs. — Atherton, chairman; Wilson, Way, Sutton, Clark of Linn, Swan, Bowers, Dunsmore, Barnett, Ruble. Elections. — Chambers, chairman; Troutman, Hoch, Rem- ington, Hunt, Johnson, Greenlee, Lupfer, McCliman, Doubleday. IvEGiSLATivE and Congressional Apportionment. — Cub- bison, chairman; Meagher, Powers, Kelley of Kearny, Chubbuck, Atherton, Raemer, Price, Ballinger, Ryan, Semple, Whittington, Crumle}'. Assessment and Taxation.— Price, jhairman ; Warner, Bal- linger, Seaton, Swan, Frazier, Shaw, Watson, Morris, Dunsmore. Banks and Banking. — Rosenthal, chairman ; Warner, Harris, Richter, Shaw, Powers, Johnson, Drew, Dunsmore. Fees and Salaries. — Pearson, chairman ; Hunt, Ballinger, Bishoff, Bayer, Clark of Linn, Gest, Ruble, McKinnie. Insurance. — Richter, chairman ; Hale, Frazier, Seaton, Pow- ers, Warner, Kline, Newman, Sekavec, Ryan. 18S LETTERS TO GOl'ERNOR J.EWELLING. Judiciary L,ocai,. — Glenn, chairman ; Blair, Butler, Johnson, Raeiner, Kline, Dix, Dunsmore, Lupfer, Garrison, Paacake. Rules. — Seatou, chairman; Hoch, Warner, Richter, Rosen- thal, Dunsmore, Semple. Education. — Benefiel of Montgomery, chairman ; Eastman, Stromquist, Price, Frazier, Bowie, Ballinger, Coulson, Chappell, Foster. Cities of First Class. — Butler, chairman ; Hackbusch, S-wan, Cubbison, Seaton, Hale, Sutton, Burgard, Rawson, Clark, Federal Relations. — Wilson, chairman ; Seaton, Sherman, Richter, Warner, Pearson, Raemer, Ruble, McConkey, Pritchard. Roads and Highways. — Phinney, chairman ; Raemer, Price Simmons, Lamb, Bayer, Clavcomb, Pancake, Gest, Rawson, Chap- pell. Militia. — Bowers, chairman ; Warner, Seaton, Sherman, Elt- ing, Bowie, Pritchard, McConkey, Benefiel of Kingman. Educational Institutions. — Hale, chairman; Frazier, Hoch, Pomeroy, Way, Benefiel of Montgomery, Eastman, Barnes, Dolan, Moss. Public Buildings and Grounds. — Sherman, chairman; Sea- ton, Hunt, Greenlee, Bayer, Zimmerman, Pomeroy, Wagoner, Morris, Crumle}^ Public Lands. — Anderson, chairman ; Chubbuck, Nichols of Seward, Bowers, Rosenthal, Coulter, Way, Yearick, Campbell of Stafford, Cobun. Manufactories. — Hunt, chairman; Swan, Seaton, Greenlee, Butler, Warner, Atherton, Everly, Bucklin, Kelley of Dickinson, Horticulture and Forestry. — Kline, chairman, Cbrisman. Powers, P'oster, Way, Bowers, Douglass of Gray, Benefiel of Kingman, McKinnie', Whittington. Municipal Incorporations. — Blair, chairman ; Seaton, John- son, Sutton, Hopkins, Frazier, Harris, Caster, Newman, Dou bleday. Hygiene and Public Health.— Bishoff, chairman ; Hobson. Nichols of Seward, Simmons, Sutton, Swan, Campbell of Doni- phan, Daugherty, Burgard, Green. County-Seats and County Lines.— Chubbuck, chairman; Nichols of Seward, Bowers. Harris, Shaw, Bowie, Kelley of Kear- ny, McConkey, Morrison of Labette, Benefiel of Kingman. Telegraphs and Telephones. — Dix, chairman; Raemer, Claycomb, Butler, Campbell of Doniphan, Shaw, Way, Bone, Kerr, Sekavec. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR L/: WELLING. 189 Emigration. — Nichols -of Seward, charirman ; Blair. Way, Bowers, Dix, Bayer, Lamb, Chappell, McAleney, Kelley of Dick- inson. Private Corporations. — Sutton, chairman ; Cubbison, Lob- dell, Warner, Way, Atherton, Price, McCliman, Bucklin, Morris. Live Stock. Powers, chairman; Way, Pomeroy, Wilson, Crumley, McConkey, Dolan. Cities of Second Ci^ass. — Hopkins, chairman; Hoch, Sut- ton, Warner, Greenlee, Powers, Frazier, Semple, Coulson, Hill. Cities of Third Class. — Harris chairman; Wilson, Doug- lass of Gray, Pratt, Bishoff, Anderson, Chambers, Garrison, Humphrey, Kelley of Dickinson. Claims and Accounts. — Hobson, chairman ; Bowers, Chub- buck,. Shaw, Chrisman, Claycomb, Powers Coulson, Moss. Municipal Indebtedness. — Warner, chairman; Sutton Sea- ton, Powers, Rosenthal, Dix, Shaw Kenton, Bone, Clark. State Library. — Eastman, chairman ; Hoch, Blair, Warner, Seaton, Clark of Linn, Powers Clark of Bourbon, Daugherty, Gest. Irrigation. — Pratt, chairman; Willits, Hopkins, Harris, Sutton, Chubbuck, Kelley of Kearny, Helm, Sekavec, True, Humphrey. IJrinTING. — Frazier, chairman ; Hunt, Hoch, Coulter, Bal- linger, Bayer, Nichols of Atchison, Morris, Barnett, Campbell of Stafford, McCliman, Garrison. Mines and INIining. — Hackbusch, chairman ; Warner, Chris- man, Claycomb, Butler, Lamb, Meagher, Walters, Chappell, Bone, Ryan, Clark of Bourbon, Bishoff. Penal Institutions. — Kelley of Kearny, chairman ; Hunt, Dix, Seaton, Kline, Raemer, Lamb, Way, Morrison of Labette, Everly, Green, Price, Watson. Charitable Institutions. — Simmons, chairman ; Dix, Hob- son, Pomeroy, Nichols of Seward, Knipe, Meagher, Everly, Yearick, McConkey. Labor. — Meagher, chairman; Claycomb, Pearson, Foster, Bayer, Coulter, Willits, McAleney, Chappell, Green, Bone. Enrolled Bills — Coulter, chairman; Douglass of Gray, Elting, Willits, Bowers, Knipe, Hale, McKinnie, Yearick, Grissom. Engrossed Bills. — Campbell of Doniphan, chairman ; Swan, Meagher, Way, Ballinger, Kline, Raemer, Graham, Humphrey, Kerr. Mileage. — Chandler, chairman; Willits, " Douglass of Gray, Dix, Elting, Knipe, Lamb, Grissom, Chappell, Bone, 190 LETTERS TO GO]'ERNOR LE WE LUNG. Temperance. — Elting, chairman; Anderson, Knipe, Clark, Axeltou, Frazier, Rosenthal, Drew, Hill, Whittington, Helm. Supervision of the Journal. — ^Johnson, chairman ; Davis, Chubbuck, Semple, Ryan. Employees. — Hoch, chairman; Way, Chrismau, IVIcKinnic, Crumley. Judicial Apportionment. — Davis, chairman ; Hunt, Seaton, ton. Hop- r*. 1 iAi3) >_ »-4 •-/ ','i.o\^ 11 J v-ii CI 1X1 Ud r>. J.''il^X-lwir» \j\. v_»v^wcii\.i, vj av. laii, v-'ncxv^^, -r\.X~ elton, Dunsmore, Butler, Kelley of Dickinson, Humphrey, Seka- vec, Barnett, Ruble, Cobun, Newman, McCliman, Coulsou, Clay- comb, Dolan. Political Rights ok Women. — Knipe, chairman ; Hoch Nichols of Atchison, Willits, Pearson, Drew, Moss, Barnett. LL TTERS TO GO I 'ER.\ OR LE WELLEXG. 19 1 A LIST OF APPOINTMENTS BY THE GOVERNOR. LIVE STOCK vSANITARY COMMISSION. f E. Hull Eureka Populist. Ed. M Turner Marysville Populist. lohu 1. Brown Minneapolis Populist. STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES. M. A. Householder Columbus Populist. Mrs. Mary E. Lease Wichita Populist. W S. Waite Lincoln Populist. VV. T. Yoe Independence Republican. H. B. Kelly McPherson Republican. REGENTS OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY. Charles Robinson Lawrence Populist. William Rodgers Barnes . ..Populist. I P. Sams. Seneca Populist. C R. Mitchell Geuda Springs Republican. Charles F. Scott lola Republican. D. A. Valentine. Clay Center Republican. REGENTS STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. Ed. Secrest Randolph Populist. E. D. Stratford V\ Dorado Populist. \V, D. Street Oberlin Populist. Harrison Kelley. Burlington Populist. loshua Wheeler . Nortonville Republican. A. P. Forsythe Liberty Republican. REGENTS STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. John Madden Cottonwood Falls Populist. J. S. McGrath Beloit Populist. V. K. Stanley. ... Wichita Populist. H. D. Dickson Emporia Republican. Nelson Case Oswego Republican . S. H. Dodge Beloit Republican. FORESTRY COMMISSIONER. E. D. Wheeler Wa Keene\- Populist, 192 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WE /LING. INSPECTOR OF GRAIN. Samuel P. Jones Anthonj- Populist. ADJUTANT-GENERAL. H. H. Artz Garden City Populist. A. J. Davis, Assistant Stockton Populist. BOARD OF RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS. John Hall Erie Democrat. W. D. Vincent Clay Center Populist. P. B. Maxson Emporia Populist. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. S. M. Scott 'McPherson Populist. William Wykes Wellington Populist. R. B. Kepley Topeka Democrat. BOARD OF PARDONS. John F. Willits McLouth Populist. S. A. Willoughby Hutchinson Populist. J. F. McDonald Parsons Populist. BANK COMMISSIONER. John W. Breidenthal Enterprise Populist. Frank Osborn, Assistant. . . . Howard Populist. COMMISSIONER OF LABOR STATISTICS. J. F. Todd El Dorado Populist. A. C. Baker, Assistant Junctiou City Populist. WARDEN OF PENITENTIARY. S. W. Chase Winfield Populi.st. DIRECTORS OF THE PENITENTIARY. George Hollenhack Coldwater Populist. W. J. Hurd Holton Populist. T. H. Butler Great Bend Populist. STATE MINE INSPECTOR. Amhony C. Gallagher Chicopec Populist. LETTERS TO GOl'ERXOR LE HELLING. 193 MANAGERS OF DODGE CITY SOLDIERS' HOME. L. Van Vorhis Lawrence Populist. Dr. G. Bohrer Chase .' Populist. Julius H. Stewart Goodland Populist. STATE VETERINARY SURGEON. G. C. Pritcliard Topeka Republican, POLICE COMMISSIONERS OF KANSAS CITIES. LEAVENWORTH. Frank O'Douell, President Democrit. Robert Leslie, Secretary Populist. J. J. Edic ' Populist. TOPEKA. Allen Sells, President Populist. L T. Yount, Secretary- Populist. Oscar Krauss Democrat. FORT SCOTT. T. Cochran, President Populist. J. Bamberger, Secretary Democrat. J. Bryant Populist, WICHITA. George M. Dickson, President Democrat. J. G. Brown, Secretary Popiilist F". A. Davis Democrat. ATCHISON. \V. W. Cochran, President Democrat. J. G. Thayer, Secretary Populist. Patrick Langan Populist, KANSAS CITY. A, W. Cunningham, President Populist. William Pray, Secretary Republican. George W. Mitchell Democrat. COMMISSIONERS OF ELECTIONS. For Topeka Frank Herald Populist. For Kansas City R. C. Foster Populist. 194 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE. Wm.H.McBride, Superintendent. .Osborne Republican. Harry S. Leonard, Assistant Independence . . , .Republican. Miss Minnie McBride, Clerk. ... .Osborne Republican. OIL INSPECTOR. H L. Taylor Wichita Populist. FISH COMMISSIONER. J. B.Mason .Eureka Republican. THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. G. H. T.Johnson, M.D., President. Atchison M. O'Brien, M.D., Secretary Topeka D. C. Jones, M.D ' Topeka J. Milton Welch, M.D Wichita H. D. Hill, M.D Augusta iM-ank Swallow, ]\I.D Valley Falls J. W.Jennev, M.D Salina R. C Musgrave, M.D Grenola Andrew vSabine, INI.D Garden Citv R. A. Williams, M.D Olathe LETTERS rO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 195 kansAvS exhibit WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, Opens May 1, 1,S98. OLD BOARD OF MANAGERS. A. W. Smith Presideut A. S. Johnson Vice-President Samuel T. Howe Treasurer W. H. Smith Secretary A. W. Smith At Large Fred Wellhouse At Large W. A. Harris First District R. W. Sparr Second District E. H. Brown Third District A. S. Johnson Fourth District W. H. Smith Fifth District Wm. Simpson Sixth District O. B. Hildreth Seventh District Mrs. Lewis Hanback Mrs. R. B. Mitchell WORLD'S FAIR COMMISSIONERS. New appointments by Gov. Lewelliug to supersede the old Board. 1st District. . .George \V. Glick. . .Atchison Democrat. 2d District. . .H. H. Kern Bonner Springs. .Democrat. 3d District. . .L. P. King Winfield , Populist. 4th District.. .T. J. Anderson Topeka Repulilican. 5th District. . . A. P. Collins Salina Prohibition, 6th District. .Mrs. A. M. Clark. . .Jewell Populist. 7th District... M. W. Cobun Great Bend Populist. 196 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WE LUNG. STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. OFFICERS FOR J 898. P. G. Lowe, Iveavenworth Presideii*^ Levi Dunibauld, Lyon County Vice-President V. J. Lane, Wyandotte Vice-President T. D. Thacher, Topeka Treasurer F. G. Adams, Topeka Secretary DIRECTORS. Members of the Board of Directors for the year ending Jan- uary 16, 1894 : McBride, \Vm. H Osborne Mclntire, T Arkansas City Osborn, Thos. A Topeka Phillips, \Vm. A Saliua Riddle, A. P Minneapolis Robinson, Chas Lawrence Russell, Edward Lawrence Speer, John Sherlock Stewart, Samuel J . . . Humboldt Ware, E. F Fort Scott Collins, J. S Topeka Weightman, M Topeka Wheeler, S. C Concordia Whittington, A. N Lincoln Wilder, D. W Hiawatha Wood, Mrs. M. L Woodsdale Anthony, D. R. . . .Leavenworth Eckert, J". W Arkansas City Baker. F. P Topeka Berry, Ed. A Waterville Brown, A. Z Guilford Cobun, M. W Hoisington Dotv, W Oketo Elder, P. P Ottawa Eskridge, C. V Emporia Glick, Geo. W Atchison Goodnow, I. T Manhattan Greene, A. R Lecompton Humphrey, L. U.. Independence Ives, J. N Sterling Kingman, S. A Topeka Legate, Jas. F . . . . Leavenworth Woodworth, C. A. . . .Muscotah Members of the Board of Directors for the year ending Jan- uary lo, 189r) : Adams, F. G Topeka Caldwell, Alex,. . .Leavenworth Carroll, Ed Leavenworth Dallas, E. J Topeka Elliott, L. R Manhattan Emerv, J. S Lawrence Gleed", Chas. S Topeka Guthrie, John Topeka Hays, R. R Osborne Hoiliday, C. K Topeka Hopkins, Scott Horton Maloy, John. . . . Council Grove Martin, Geo. W. . . .Kansas City Martin, John Topeka Mead, J. R Wichita Moody, Joel Mound City Morrill, E. N Hiawatha Peck, Geo. R Topeka Price, John M Atchison Reynolds, Adrian Sedan Simpson, B. I'" Topeka Sims, William Topeka LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLIXG. 197 Horton, Albert H Topeka Humphrey, J Junction City Johnson, J. B Topeka Lane, V. J Wyandotte Lowe, P. G Leavenworth Smith, W. H Marysvilie Stotler, Jacob Wellington Swensson, C. A. . . .McPherson Thacher , T. D Topeka Wellhouse, Fred.. Leavenworth Wright, J. K Junction City For the term of three j-ears ending January 21, 1896 : Abbott, James B De Soto Baker, Lucien. . . .Leavenworth Brown, W. L Kingman Chapman, J. B Topeka Cowgill, E. B Topeka Davis, C. S-. .Junction City Diggs, Mrs. A. L Lawrence Dumbauld, Levi Hartford Forney, A. G Belle Plaine Foster, Warren . . . .Hutchinson Gaines, H.N Salina Hagaman, J. M Concordia Hebbard, J. C Topeka Hoch, E. W Marion Hudson, J. K Topeka Hunt, McCown. . .Leavenworth Johns, Mrs. Laura M . . . .Salina Lewelling, L. D Wichita Little, J. T Olathe McLallin, Dr. S Topeka McVicar, Peter Topeka Maxson, P. B Emporia Miller, Sol Troy Murdock, M. M Wichita Prentis, N. L Kansas City Remington, J. B. . .Osawatomie Rogers, William Barnes Scott, Charles F Tola Semple, Robert H Ottawa Stewart, A. A Manhattan Thacher, S. O Lawrence Wakefield, W. H. T. . .Lawrence Whiting, A. B Topeka The State Historical Society was organized December 17, 1876. 198 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, OFFICERS. President A. W. Smith McPher&on Vice-President E. Harrington Baker Secretary M. Mohler Topeka Treasurer Samuel T. Howe Topeka MEMBERS. L. D. Lewelling, Governor, ") p-^ „a:^;^ t^^^i R. S. Osborn, Secretary of State, J ^"^ ^-^"^ ^^P^^* Joshua Wheeler Nortonville T. M. Potter Peabodv J. L. Finley Dodge City I. L, Diesem Garden City A. C. Shinn Ottawa Geo. W. Glick Atchison R. T. Stokes Garnett Thomas A. Hubbard Wellington B. F. Campbell Saint Francis W, B. Sutton Russell OFFICERS BY APPOINTMENT. ^ , . r Prof. Chas. S. Prosser Topeka ideologists I Pj.^^ Robert Hay Junction City T^ , 1 ., f Prof. F. H. Snow Lawrence Entomologists | p^^^ ^ ^ Popenoe Manhattan Meteorologist Prof. J. T. Lovewell Topeka Assist. Meteorologist.. Sergt. T. B. Jennings Topeka (Prof J. H. Carruth Lawreflce Prof. L. E. Sayre Lawrence Prof A. S. Hitchcock Manhattan pv,„,„; . ( Prof G. H, Failver Manhattan ^" I Prof. E. H. S. Bailey Lawrence LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LE WELLING. 199 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS FOR 189;:i. Office. Nam,. Post-office. President L. Houk Hutchinson Vice-President Martin Allen Hays City Secretary G. C. Brackett Lawrence Treasurer Frank Holsinger Rosedale Director L. Houk Hutchinson Director Martin Allen Hays City Director G. C. Brackett Lawrence Director Frank Holsinger Rosedale Director E. J. Holnian, Northern Dist. .Leavenworth Director Samuel Reynolds, Middle Dist. .Lawrence Director Geo. W. Bailey, Southern Dist . , Welliugtou 200 LETTERS TO GOl'ERNOR LEWELLING. THE KANSAS REPUBLICAN LEAGUE. General J. S. Clarkson is president of the National Repub- lican League, and A. B. Humphrey is the secretary, and has his office at 202 Fifth Avenue, New York City. This organization has established State Republican Leagues in nearly every State in the Union. The Kansas Republican League was organized at Topeka in March, 1888, by a convention composed of 800 delegates. One of its fundamental principles is that it shall take no part in nom- inating or recommending any person for office. The first officers were J. G. Slonecker, president ; S. M. Lan- ham, secretary; and R. M. Crane, treasurer. They were all re-elected for a second term. During the third year, J. INL Miller was president, Arthur Capper secretary, and J. G. Slonecker treasurer. The fourth year W. J. Bailey was president, J. Ware Butterfield secretary, and J. L. Bristow treasurer; the fifth year Ed. C. Little was elected presi- dent, and Mr. Butterfield and Mr. Bristow were re-elected. The sixth annual convention of the League was held in Topeka March 10, 1893, and the following officers were unan- imously elected: Hon. E. W. Hoch, of Marion, president; Chas. M. Sheldon, of Burlingame, secretary. The Kansas State League is represented in the National League by a vice-president and a member of the National Com- mittee. The State League has an Executive Committee of two ir embers from each congressional district. Each Republican Club is entitled to be represented in its State conventions by its president and four delegates. LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING. 201 KANSAS AND HER RESOURCES. Kansas is 400 miles long, east and west, and 200 miles wid«, north and soiith ; containing 80,000 square miles. CHURCHES. i860. 1890. Number of buildings 97 3,000 Value of buildings S;50,000 |e,600,000 SCHOOL-HOUSES. i860. 1890. Number 154 ^ 9,000 Teachers, number of 189 12,500 Pupils, number of 5,915 400,000 Value of school property 550,000 $10,250,000 Teachers' wages, amount of 17,000 3,000,000 Annual expenseof maintaining schools, #5,000,000. Increa eiu school enrollment, 68 per cent. Amount spent for school pur- poses in thirty years, $40,000,000. NEWSPAPERS. i860. 1S90. Number of weeklies 27 850 Number of dailies 3 25 Circulation (1 newspaper to every 2 inhabitants) 21,000 700,000 Capital invested $3,000,000 Number of employees 2,000 FARMS AND PRODUCTS. i860. 1890. Value of farms $12,258,239 $600,000,000 Value of farm crops 1 ,545,900 40,000,000 Value of horses, mules, cattle, and other livestock 3,332,450 113,533,000 Number of acres under cultivation . . . 405,468 17,000,000 MANUFACTURING. i860. 1890. Number of establishments 344 1,450 Capital invested $1,048,935 $39,265,416 Value of product 4,357,408 78,123,882 Amount paid in wages 880,346 9,274,134 Number of employees 1,735 12,062 202 LETTERS TO CO]'ER\'OR LE WELLING. RAILROACS. 1875. 1890. Mileage (1870) 1,501 8,218 Value of property $1,277,931 150,865,825 Amount of taxes paid 1,739,352 Number of employees 25,000 There are 106 counties in the State — 100 having railroad. COAL. i860. 1891. Number of mines None. 3,000 Value of output None. $3,500,000 Number of employees ' None. 5,000 Amount paid in wages None. $2,250,000 LEAD AND ZINC. i860. 1891. Value of output None. $1,000,000 Number of employees None. 1,000 Smelters, number of None. 18 Value of product (Argentine not in- cluded) ' None. $2,000,000 Number of employees None. 1,000 Kansas produced one-fourth of all the zinc output of the United States. PROPERTV. 1880. 1890. Assessed value $100,891 ,689 $ 348,459,944 Real value (Census Bulletin No. 14) . . . 760,000,000 1,646,000,000 Per cent of increase of assessed value in ten years: Kansas 116 New Hampshire 58 Vermont 97 Massachusetts 35 Maine 31 Rhode Island 27 Connecticut 9 State Debt per capita, 18S0, $1.02; 1890, 0.78; Missouri, 1890, $4.39; North Carolina, $4.76; Virginia, $18.76. Paupers in United States, 1,166 to the million inhabitants; in Kansas, 416 to the million. Convicts I" Penitentiary in United States, 722 to the million population; in Kansas (1890), 643. In Kansas (1880), 690; relative decrease in ten years in Kansas of 47 to the million. LETTERS TO GOVERISOR LEWELLING. 203 FROM THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. The following iuformation is from the forthcoming biennial report of the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture for the two years 1891 and 1S92: The population of Kansas for 1890, as published in the sev- enth biennial report, is that furnished by the Government Census Department, and by it is placed at 1,423,485. This represents the population for our State June i, 1890. The population, as shown by assessors' returns for 1891, is 1,338,811, a loss as reported of 84,674, or nearly 6 per cent. This loss is easily accounted for. The year 1890 was a most disastrous crop year, and, commencing with 1887, it was the last of a series of bad crop years, the parallel of which has not been known in Kansas. Coming as it did immediately^ after the "boom" collapsed, when farmers were already overburdened by financial obligations assumed during the "boom " period, a crisis followed, and the result was an exodus of a considerable portion of the farm as well as the city population. The reactionary movement, however, which set in after the ' boom " collapsed, and the crop failures following, reached its lowest point in the spring of 1891. The population, as shown by assessors' returns March i, 1892, is 1,347,42s, an increase — small, to be sure, but an increase— over that of the preceding year of 8,617, showing that our people are returning or others are taking their places. The growth of the State, however, in the expansion of her cultivated area and in the aggregate amount and value of her farm products, notwithstanding the loss in population, has been steadily moving forward. In 1SS8, when the population of the State was the highest in her history, the area under cultivation as returned by assessors was 15.577,088 acres. This area was also higher than any previ- ously reported by over 1,000,000 acres. In 1890 the area as returned devoted to field crops was 15,929,- 654 acres. In 1891 this area grew to 17,518,090 acres, and in 1892 204 LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEW EI. LING. by assessors' returns it is shown to be 1.8,360,240 acres, anincrease in two 3'ears of 2,430,586, or over 15 per cent, the largest increase in cultivated acres ever made in the State in the same length of time. This largely increased area under cultivation is chiefly due to the rapid expansion of the wheat area of the State. In 18S8 the wheat area (winter and spring) was 1,120,119 acres "> in 1S89 it was 1,594,285 acres; in 1890, 2,321,113 acres; in 1891, 3,733,gio acres; and in 1892 it was increased, as shown by assess- ors' returns, to 4,129,829 acres, showing an increase in wheat area alone in four years of 3,000,710 acres. This increase has been made chiefly in the central and west- ern belts of the State. In like manner there has been a steady and corresponding increase in the aggregate value of farm prod- ucts in the State. For the biennial period of 1885 and 1886 this value was $268,276,569; for 1887 and 1888, $275,241,264; for 1889 and 1890,- $283,738,870; and for 1891 and 1892, $334,460,327, LETTERS TO GOVERNOR LEWELLING, 205 NATIONAL REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE. Mkmber for Kansas. Cyrus Leland Troy, i:)oniphan County THE REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE. A List of the Members and a Sketch of the Work Done by the Committee. The Republican State Central Committee elected at the Re- publican State Convention held at Topeka in June 1892, consists of one member from each judicial district, as follows: Dist. Name. Address. 1st H. C. F. Hackbusch Leavenworth 2d Frank G. Crowell Atchison 3d E. B. Whaley Topeka 4th Frank L. Brown Garnett 5th T. C. Biddle Emporia 6th John H. Madden Mound City 7th I. N. Hollaway Yates Center 8th J. 3M. Miller Council Grove 9th J. I). Vincent Hutchinson loth DaAdd Hubbard Olathe nth Charles Yoe Independence 12th D. M. Stackhouse Concordia 13th F. G. Powers New Salem 14th C. B. Daughters Lincoln r.sth S. H. Dodge Beloit 1 6th F. W. Edmunds Kinsley 1 7th C. E. Chandler Oberlin 1 8th M. W. Lew Wichita 19th O. O, Morse Wellington 20th J. W. Iy and by, and whec her people are once more sober, what disaster. State-wide disas- ter, they will behold ! Now they are drunk with political schemes and social dreams ; when they are sober they will be like the man who came home drunk in the night, smashed up all the furniture, and in the morning found himself among the wrecks of what the day before was a home. CARRIED MATTERS WITH A HIGH HAND. From the SpriugSeld (Mass.) Republican . They have carried matters with a high hand and have resisted every attempt to have the merits of the controversy passed upon by established tribunals, and their discomfiture is deserved. But LETTERS TO COJERKOR LF]VELLTXG. 213 it does uot leave the situation any clearer. As matters stand, the militia are in rebellion against tlieir lawful commander, the com- mander himself and his allies are in revolt against law and order, and the Legislatvire is still divided into two hostile and inde- pendent bodies. The whole business is a disgrace, not only to Kansas, but to the nation. YES, THKY WILL BE OBLIGED TO DO SO. From the Rochester (N. Y.) Post-Express. The difficulty originated in the refusal of the Populists of Kansas to respect the decisions of the courts. They will be obliged now to do so, for the danger of an armed conflict has passed away. Of course, they claim that the courts are partisan and cannot be trusted. But this plea is not a good one in this country. If the decision of the courts is not to be accepted peaceably, all the safeguards of society disappear. Politicians who are l)eaten in the courts may appeal to public opinion, but they must let mus- kets and shot-guns and cannon severely alone. WILL BE THE TERROR OF THE VENAL VAMPIRES. From the Nebraska State Journal. The Governor of Kansas is developing quite ambitious mili- tary plans for the subjugation of that warlike State. He is going to purge the " melish" of all Republicans and enlarge it to a host of 30,000 "Pops" who can be relied on to tight till the last armed foe expires, and give a better account of themselves than they did during the late unpleasantness in Topeka. The Journal wishes the Governor success in his militant undertaking. Kansas needs a standing army sufficient to over- awe the w-orld, and when 30,000 "Pops" getinto line, the fierce and bold aspect of the "Sunflower State" will be the terror of the venal vampires of the universe. THE KANSAS ANARCHISTS. From the Brooklyn Daily Times . The latest dispatches from Kansas do not seem to encourage the belief that all the trouble arising out of the recent election is over. The courts have decided that the Republcan House of Representatives is the only legal House, but it is said that the Governor and his Populist advisers propose to defy the mandate of the courts and to continue to ignore the existence of the so-called Douglass House. As the matter stands, under the decision of the courts, all the laws that have been passed and all the appropriations that have have been made are illegal, and to give them standing and validity it would be necessary to begin at the beginning again and submit all the legislation that has already received the Governor's .sanction to the scrutiny of the legal House. There seems little prospect of such a result, and 214 LETTERS TO GOVERXOR LEWELLTNG. in cousequeuce a flood of legal coniplicatious threatens the unfortunate State to puni-72 A Brief Ch'-onolog^ical History of the Session, giving Da3' and Date of Everjf Important Event in the Senate and House from January 9th to Close of Session, including Letter of Mr. Dunsmore to Speaker Douglass, His Reply, and Important Resolutions and Protests.. . . 7;i-!i5 The Decision of the Supreme Court in the Gunn Case, in full, re- vised and corrected by Chief J ustice Hor ton IKl-UG The Di.ssenting Opinion, in full, in the same Case, by Associate Justice Allen, revised by Himself ; also Reply by the F'ifteeu Re- publican Senators to Certain Statements of Associate Justice Allen 117-126 The Decisions of the Supreme Court, in full, in the Coffey, Jackson, Re- public, and Haskell County Contest Cases, rendered before the Legislature met 127-115 The Decision of Judge Hazen of the District Court of Shawnee County in the Injunctioti Case against Auditor of State Prather and State Treasurer Biddle, which involved the validity of the Dunsmore House 1 Ki-ldO The Evidence of Hon. A. H. Lupfer, on cross-examination, in the Gunn Case. Mr. Lupferwas Temporary Clerk of the Dunsmore House, '"his evidence is furnished by the Official Court Reporter of the .Supreme Court lol-lol The Evidence of Ben C. Rich, on cross-examination, in the Gunn Case. Mr. Rich was elected Chief Clerk of the Dunsmore House. This evidence is furnished by the Official Court Reporter of the vSupreme Court Ifw-KiO Vote on President by Counties for 1888 and 1S02 compared; Vote for C indidates for Governor in 1802, and for Candidates for the Senate and House, and Politics of Each, for Election of 1892 Hi] -172 Official Vote by Districts for Congressional Candidates and Connties Composing the Districts ; also Same for Cougressuiau at Large.. . 173 The Judicial Districts of the State by Counties, and Names of Judges I'residing ." 171-17.5 Governors of Kansas, Territorial and State, up to 1803; When and Where the Eight Sessions of Territorial Legislature Met ; also the Names of the Present Congressmen from Kansas 17(1-178 .\. Register of the Executive and Judiciary Departments of the Slate Government, 179-1 SO ■V Complete Register of the Present Members of the Legislature, Senate and House, Their Districts, Postoffice Addresses, and Poli- tics; also the Names of Subordinate Officers of Both Houses and the Standing Committees of Both Houses 181-190 Nrimes nrul Postoffice Addresses and Politics of Members of State Hoards, I)ireetoi s and Regents of State Institutions, and Special Officers Appointed by the Governor 191-194 officers and Directors, and Postoffice Addresses, of the State Histor- ical Society, the Stale Board of Agriculture, the State Horticultural Society, and World's Eair Managers; also Brief History of the Kansas Republican League 195-200 The Wealth and Resources of Kansas 201-204 officers and Members of the Republican State Central Committee, and a Sketch of the Work Done by the Committee Since it was Elected 20.V210 Sentiment of the Press Outside of Kansas.. 211-22:! S1.00 Per YEAR. THE GREAT PAllM AND PAMII/Y NEWSPAPER, The Kansas i Weekly Capital and Farm Jetirnal, TOP^KA, KANSAS. { PRICE ONE bOLLAR \ PER YEAR. I This splerifiid 12-page farm and family newspaper is populai- in fvery part of Kansas. The agrricultural department excels in strength and originality. It is the best all-round farm and family newspaper ever made in Kansas. Address TOPEKA CAPITAt CO., SAMPLK COl'Y FRKK. TOPKKA, KANSAS. .J ; k it' r Price of Letters to Governor Lewellfng 1 Copy, postage paid, 5 Copies, " " 12 " " " 100 " express paid, H ADDRliSS J TOPBKA CAPITAIv CO., \ I TOPBKA, KANSAS. »