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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Feb 27, 1899
Page
7
A brief historical note outlines the fervent push for initiative and referendum processes, detailing public debate and political maneuvering around referendum proposals and the potential impact on governance and citizen power.
A heated legislative debate centers on Scott's consolidation bill for western districts and the initiative referendum plan. Gregory argues forarchy, while proponents cite efficiency, education quality, and local control amid partisan exchanges and procedural critiques.
Kansas University professor E L Dvehe visits to advocate a building to house the natural history collection from the World’s Fair. He seeks support from legislators to redirect funds once planned for a Paris exposition exhibit to the local project.
Senator Titus proposed a bill to cut passenger fares to 3 cents per mile for adults and 1 cent per mile for children in the state. The measure would cap passenger weight at 100 pounds, but it was defeated due to absentee votes.
Traveling men in Kansas voice opposition to an unfair baggage provision in a bill. Absentees lowered quorum as votes failed to pass. Titus shifted from aye to no enabling a motion for reconsideration, while calls for rail regulation and a two cent per mile railfare policy echo.
Inmates at the state soldiers' home in Dodge City voice strong opposition to a pending measure in the Legislature. They condemn a proposed system and reveal concerns about governance and costs. Representative Swinkhart of Ford County faces questions as the debate unfolds.
The senate met in a long Saturday session to debate granting life certificate privilege to all state institutions, a privilege the state normal has and Turner has held for years. The bill was recommended for passage and may attract enough votes, though doubt remains among supporters. Senator Young warned he would move to recon sider the committee’s recommendation early next week.
The Senate approved another omnibus of local bills during the Saturday night session to clear the calendar and encourage house members. About forty new laws were included. Night sessions are expected to be held regularly this week.
Chinese civil service applicants face brutal prep for postal jobs. They undergo mountain treks and cave drills, carry heavy weights for long distances, and endure time penalties and threats from thieves. Final tests occur in a room with weighted sacks swung and dodged in a fencing-like drill.
New York faces an oyster shortage with prices surging up to 100 percent. Dealers warn the scarcity may last three weeks to a month as heavy ice locks in the rockaway coast harvest and prevents dredging. Some boats are being sent to fetch Shinnecocks and “Souls” to ease the shortfall.
Ten day tickets to Philadelphia and New York via Vandalia Pennsylvanian via Washington offer ten day stopovers at the national capital. Fares via Washington match the direct Harrisburg route. New York holders may also stop over ten days at Philadelphia. Written by JM Chesbrough St Louis for information. Pittsburg Kan and Return 6484 ris Santa Fe. Account Grand lodge meeting AOC We. Tickets on sale Feb 24 to 23, good returning March 6, if
Kansas City Feb 27 defense opens in Jesse James trial claiming alibi with witnesses placed near Thirty third and Troost an hour before the holdup. Family members testify they sat with Jesse at Thirty-fourth and heard dynamite explosion four miles away. Prosecution counters Lowe confession and route timing evidence as witnesses dispute James’s presence.
Chicago females note the new Greater America exposition leadership with George L. Miller as president Frank Murphy as treasurer and Dudley Smith as secretary. Bureaus are organized and many applications from exhibitors and concessionaires are being received as agents collect colonial exhibits. Dr Miles, editor, famed in mid west politics, recently presented a bronze bust of Horatio Seymour to Utica. Dr Miller plans an eastern tour to promote the Omaha exposition.
Washington reports a state department release detailing declines in failures in Germany across 1853 1896 and 1997 alongside population growth and farm enterprise failures. The notice notes agriculture shows a marked rise in failures in 1897 with 523 in one year and 472 previously. In Lexington a former local, Robert Breckinridge Halligan, offers 500000 to Kentucky University to perpetuate his name, after making a fortune in asphalt in Chicago.
President McKinley notified Bethlehem’s Moravian College for Women that he may attend the seminary’s 150th anniversary exercises on June 1, and he would be accompanied by Mrs. McKinley. The rest of the text urges Kansans to buy Kansas goods and praises home industries.
Arkansas City February 27. Effective March 1 the Kansas Southwestern Railroad completes interchange arrangements with the Santa Fe route for freight and passenger business. A straight daily passenger train will run from Anthony to Arkansas City and back with set arrival and departure times. This marks the first direct passenger service between the towns on the line in three years.
A cable chess match proposal telegrams that universities Oxford and Cambridge shared with American universities including Harvard Princeton Columbia Yale and Chicago. Eligibility rules limit players to those eligible for the Inter varsity England match and Inter University tournaments in America and ban players beyond five years standing. Baron Rothschild and Dr Task are named as referee and adjutant for unfinished games.
Washington February 27 Col Ainsworth of the quartermaster's department reports to the secretary of war on Confederate cemeteries and interments. He is completing statistics requested by the senate resolution to guide federal care for Confederate dead. The work, led by Col Ainsworth with Gea Wright overseeing Confederate statistics, faces delays due to scattered small cemeteries near battlefields across the South.
Consul General Goodnow reports Shanghai circular comparing 1887 and 1897 China imports. English goods rose to 37,920, totaling 7.40 percent, while American imports stood at 5,29,253 or 12.13 percent in 1887. By 1897 English imports reached 47,060,983 with TEGO percent. American goods amounted to 5,500,808 or 15.02 percent.
The comptroller of the currency aims to appoint Charlie Lobdell as receiver of the Pailed Bank at Russell amid its tangled affairs. Lobdell, currently chief clerk of the House of Representatives, is regarded as one of the best men elected to that post.
Newspapers call for strong government precautions against Cartint activity. Frontline attempts to seize sailors and ammunition into the country are noted as a prelude to an early Carlist rising. Admiral Cervera testifies before a senate credentials committee claiming no crime in losses. He blames the government for sending him to the Antilles and says he wept upon safe arrival at Santiago de Cuba. A national conference of the Union Reform party amalgamated elements is planned, with Secretary Nell expecting over a thousand delegates from Silver Republicans and Populists among others, all aligned with direct legislation.
Frances Deere faces a social clash with Ben Ripley during a Antwerp stay. An accidental tumble at the tower almost ends their romance but he saves her, and a planned parting shifts as Frances discovers Ben’s rescue changed the course of their summer. Aunt Laura drums on plans for the future as they travel toward Brussels.
The Grant family reunion will honor descendants of Matthew Grant in Old Windsor Massachusetts on October 1. Tyssel S Grant, president, oversees the gathering at the Binturte homestead on East Windsor Road now occupied by Rosell Grant. The house was built for an ancestor of General A S Thven and linked to the John Hancock house. Representatives from nearly every state in the Union are expected.
Reports from Kentucky cities including Henderson show escalating meningitis cases with multiple fatalities. February to date records indicate a sharp increase, with three new cases at Rowltrar Green and rapid progression in affected patients.
Honolulu customs reports for 1898 reveal exports at 17 916 744 and imports including specie at 11 650 890, with duties totaling 896 970. Immigration reached 17 200 arrivals and 3 513 departures, creating a net gain of 9 918. The Chitose cruiser will enter dry dock for inspection before joining the Mikado fleet.
Scattered classified notices advertise furniture for sale and loans. Listings include realty firms, storage services, and a few names such as Scott & Co and Barnes Realty with Topeka addresses. One item notes a new fireproof building and a storage warehouse on Kansas Avenue.
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