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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Dec 06, 1898
Page
5
City council weighs sale of waterworks plant with last night’s discussion. A motion to instruct the city engineer to prepare plans and specifications for new waterworks was referred to the appropriate committee for study, while council debated timing and process.
City council tabled a $200 a year premium stamp tax measure after a split vote. The judiciary committee reported the chief of police must identify Topeka slot machine operators and report them to the county attorney. The measure passed without discussion and the police chief was instructed to pursue names.
A Kansas discussion reveals Representative Fairchild proposing to abolish the state board of charities and replace it with a three member elected board of control. He argues for civil service rules to remove politics from asylum and school staffing, with appointments handled by a mix of supreme court justices, state officers, and an external member. The plan aims to place staffing under executive or judicial selection and audit, reducing patronage and political influence.
City officials report difficulty in verifying petitions from property owners on a North Topeka sewer district issue. Attorney Mind notes the names requested for removal from the remonstrance could not be fully determined due to unsigned signatures by a resident protest referee.
A disputed meeting centers on abolishing police court. MeXeal faces a $15 fine appeal while Micashiere and Bayer Fellows comment on court powers. The council orders a commission, yet hints at broader reform if prosecutions proceed.
Eckert submits two proposals to sell a five foot wide strip between Thirteenth and fifteenth streets to widen Western Avenue. Proposed price is forty dollars with funds to go toward sidewalks and street improvements. Proposals referred to the streets and walks committee for action.
Residents living near the Salvation Army hospital at Sixth Avenue and Clay Street filed formal complaints at a meeting, citing noise, groans, and disturbances from patients and visitors. The board of health was asked to investigate and address acts disrupting the neighborhood, including quarrels, loitering, and alleged improper conduct within the hospital vicinity.
At the council meeting another effort was made to pass a new stamp ordinance. The measure failed to advance despite Bondar and evening discussions.
Benedict presented petitions to the council requesting paving on Huntoon Street from Topeka Avenue to Fillmore Street and from Fillmore to Clay Street. Plans include 98 four inch pavement from Topeka Avenue to Pulwote Street and Filleayre Street. Petitions were referred to the committees on streets and walks.
Fort Scott visit planned with mayor council and officers attending a municipal convention. Officials discuss legislative focus and entertainments arrangements. Electric light engine bid set at 7 072 dollars. bids to be advertised. Bond agreement by Geo M.Seer to be dropped. Twenty fourth street opening petition referred to street committee. Chesney claim for geors killed in sewer work rejected.
Emperor William opened the Reichstag today announcing social and labor bills and an army program. He said Germany’s relations with foreign powers remained friendly and that maintaining peace was his principal objective. He condemned the assassination of the Austrian empress, referred to the anti anarchist conference, noted Spain and U S neutrality, and discussed economic development in Kia Chow and relations with China. He also praised the Sultan’s reception in Palestine as a benefit to German prestige. The notice includes an unrelated medicine ad and local testimonials.
Washington observers report many senators avoided detailed opinions on the message, while Republicans offered brief commendations. Cullom praised its pathfinding history, Platt supported stronger army and Cuba policy, Lodge called it excellent, Foreker found it solid but vague on Cuban independence, Proctor lauded its American perspective, Perkins praised its concise facts, Jones disagreed on several points including continuation of the volunteers.
A vintage ad extols the finest quality of sugar in Chamberlain's Couch Remedy. It claims roots used give a pleasant taste similar to syrups and that it cures coughs colds and related ailments. Sold by all druggists.
A Kansas report by Assistant State Superintendent Amis outlines 1838 education changes. Wages for male teachers average $39.03 monthly, women $32.01. school population rose slightly while attendance grew. School terms shortened and total district costs rose. building count dropped, with parallel declines in county institutes and rising property values offset by lower bonded indebtedness. Geographically, pay varies by county, Wyandotte and Labette top wages for men and women, while western counties like Norton and Grant pay the least.
Richard Mansfield leads a 140 member company and seven cars of scenery for Cyrano de Bergerac arriving Chicago at 7 AM. Twenty one scenery trucks will transfer canvas to the Grand Opera House for a 7:43 PM curtain. The train, rushed from New York, uses right of way, with 12 cars total. Mansfield's party heads to Auditorium Annex and hotel. Mrs Mansfield joins them for Christmas.
Chicago reports say Superintendent Andrews of the public service system contemplated resigning after a dispute with the Chicago Echoo Board over demands and control. A restoration letter allegedly written by Andrews was intercepted, and efforts to restore harmony between the superintendent and board continue as a resolution seems near.
New York dispatch reports Antonio Terry, Cuban millionaire husband of Sibyl Sanderson, the California prima donna, is dying of liver trouble in Nice, France. Terry, paralyzed months ago, was said to be improving recently according to private letters received in New York.
The Glote-Democratic paper reports the largest street railway deal in St Louis history nearly closed. Corwin H. Spencer and other Southern Electric stockholders plan to acquire all lines and equipment of the National Hallway company, Hamilton syndicate. D. C. Hamilton of Chicago is listed as president and principal stockholder. The Hamilton group has paid 6 percent dividends on $2.5 million stock for three years, with sale confirmation by Spencer.
The document notes a purchase involves multiple lines on Northern Central Cusa avenue Fair grounds Union Citizens Haden and Southwestern tines all electric and the St. Louis tine Broadway cable. It covers 95 miles of track with 80 electric and 15 miles cable.
Colorado's state health secretary warned county and state health officers that smallpox exists and could become an epidemic this winter. A New Mexico emigrant family near Cascade produced a mild case and a death, a railroad engineer contracted it, and mild cases and fatalities appeared in Denver and Boulder though no additional cases were found locally. Fifteen to twenty five percent of cases were fatal according to the secretary.
Washington reports indicate Aguinaldo, the Philippine insurgent leader, renounced Catholicism and embraced Protestantism amid calls for foreign backing. Officials note his belief that Catholic influence, tied to Spain, endangered the Filipino people and that he may seek support from Episcopal church leaders in the United States.
Rock Island will cease all interchange of both freight and passenger business with the Chicago Great Western on December 20. The move follows a Santa Fe action effective December 15 and stems from freight disputes between the Great Western and rivals.
London papers praise President McKinley for backing the open door in the East while noting quiet concern over his Nicaragua canal reference. The Pall Mall Gazette says the US stance aligns with Britain on commerce and obligations, yet British interests deserve equal consideration in business dealings.
The St James Gazette comments on President Mekhinsey recognizing the binding Cla ton-Bulwer treaty and urges using open minded leadership to resolve issues. It argues Canada’s cooperation could secure a broader interoceanic waterway understanding and strengthen ties between the English speaking nations.
President A B Stickney of the Chicago Great Western rebuts a boycott on the Santa Fe freight deal saying the industry exchange was minor and calls the dispute over rates a newspaper hype. He notes no official plan to end relations with the Santa Fe and mentions no large losses from last year’s passenger business.
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