The Topeka state journal. [volume], December 31, 1908, LAST EDITION, Image 1

About The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980

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LAST EDITION.
THURSDAY EVENING.
TOPEKA, KANSAS, DECEMBER 31, 1908.
THURSDAY EVENING.
TWO CENTS.
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NEW HORRORS.
Starvation and Pestilence
Threaten Survivors
Left by Earthquake, Fire and
Water in Sicily.
IX PALMI CEMETERY
Were Hurled 2,200 Bodies in
One Day.
W hole Regiment of Soldiers Re
ported Drowned.
Rome. Dec. 31. To the terrifying
Spectacle of death caused by- Monday's
earthquake has now been added the
horror of starvation and the fear of
a spread of pestilence. In the ruins
of Messina, Reggio and various towns
In Sirily and Caiabria lie the bodies
of the dead which it has been impos
sible to extricate, while everywhere
thousands of hungry and homeless
persons throng the littered thorough
fares. Words are inadequate to ex
press the horror of the ruin and
desolation that has overwhelmed
Calabria and Sicily, where the earth's
trembling and fire and water have
combined to change the smiling,
verdant country into deserts. Messina
exists no longer, and at least 30 years
will be necessary to repair the ruin
that nature's violences have wrought
there. As yet it has been found im
possible to obtain any news of the fate
of the little villages along the coast,
many of which it is believed have
been entirely wiped out.
In many cases entire buildings have
been swept out to sea and no trace of
them remains. Flourishing villages
have been willed out of existence. In
some of the smaller towns such as
l'aimi near Monteleone. the sudden
ness and the completeness of the
catastrophe was overwhelming. Of
the 14 000 people living in Palmi. only
few score are still alive today.
Yesterday 2,200 corpses were buried
In the cemetery there. Survivors of
Palmi. reinforced by rescuers from
other points, and under the lead of
oldiers and doctors are performing
prodigies of valor. Many of them
have been overcome by the awful con
ditions under which they are work
ing. The bishop of Morabito and
priests with touching devotion and
courage have done much to preserve
order by the example of calmness and
self denial they have given the people.
They arc busy carrying comfort and
consolation to the dying and the
bereaved.
The first of the survivors of Reggio
to reach Catanzaro were so broken
down by the shock of their experiences
that it was almost impossible for them
to give any connected account of the
eVstructlon of the city. They speak dis
connectedly of whole districts swept
away in a moment, and entire families
annihilated1. ReKgio remains isolated in
ghostly desolation. The railroads and
the footpaths throughout the surround
ing country have been utterly destroyed
while the survivors lack food, water and
medical supplies.
The visit of the king and queen of
Italy to Messina and Reggio has arous
ed widespread enthusiasm.
In spite of the universal mourning
and distress the sovereigns were saluted
when they disembarked by the firing of
guns from the Italian and foreign war
ships at Messina. As the king and his
party set foot on shore they were greet
ed with scenes of indescribable woe. His
majesty spoke highly in praise of the
Italian soldiers and the sailors from the
foreign warships for their heroic work
of rescue. He shook hands with several
officers, saying it was his desire to be
Informed of every detail of their splend
id work. Accompanied by Ministers
Orlando and Bertolini. he visited both
Messina and Reggio, spending several
hours at each place. He visited per
sonally every quarter of these cities,
giving words of encouragement, praise
and consolation.
Her majesty, the queen, talked with
the wounded on board the ships in the
harbor, comforted the women, spoke
kindly to the children and promised as
sistance. Everywhere the visit of the
aovereigns has imparted fresh Impetus
to the work of rescue.
General Marazzi has divided the mil
itary forces working in Calabria pro
vince into two bodies. One is working
on the Tyrrhenian coast and the other
on the Ionian shore and they are con
verging on Reggio. The troops are dis
tributing rations to the starving people
to the utmost limit of their resources.
The waters of the strait of Messina
are covered with the floating bodies of
men and animals and all kinds of
wreckage. The shores of the strait
have become completely transformed in
appearance. The light houses on the
headlands have disappeared. -
Whole licsrimcnt Drowned.
Reggio. Dec. 31. There is reason to
believe that an entire regiment of in
fantry was drowned by tidal wave at
Palmi. Three hundred of the soldiers'
bodies have already been recovered.
Burning the Bodies.
Reggio. Calabria, Dec. 31. Aa a
precautionary measure against an
outbreak of pestilence the bodies of
persons killed in the earthquake are
being burned, and strong disinfec
tants are being strewn among the
ruins of the city.
The troops have set up field kit
chens and are baking bread in the
fttreets. Strong guards have been
placed over clothing and provision
Mores- in order to prevent their be
ing pillaged.
Long term prisoners have been em
barked on board the battleship Napoli
and others have been sent home.
Experience of a Survivor.
Rome, Dec. 31. King Victor Em
manuel, who left Messina last night
with Queen Helena, arrived early this
morning at Reggio and after visiting
the town in company with the queen
re-embarked on a warship and sent
the following wireless telegram to
Premier Oiolitti:
"I return from Reggio, which I
found in a condition no less disas
trous than that at Messina, The pre
fect of Reggio says that grave injury
has been done to the communities of
his province.
"A Russian warship with 500
wounded on board will arrive at
Naples this morning and everything
must be prepared for their landing
i and housing. Another Russian ship
will carry wounded to fayracuse. it
is desirable to nrovlde'at Narvles a
Russian ship with an abundance of
meaicai supplies.
The Marquis Vincenzo Genoese, a
refugee from Palmia. near Retre-io. in
telling of his experience at the time
or tne earthquake, says that he was
awakened by a tremendous roar and
a severe shock. It seemed as though
the house was whirling round, like
the wings of a windmill. The wall
of his dwelling cracked and through
it came a cloud of suffocating dust.
Stunned, but uninjured, the marquis
tried to escape to the streets, but at
first he found this impossible as the
stairs had collapaed with the first
snock. Finally, after numerous ef
forts he succeeded in getting out of
a window and descending to the
ground from the third story by means
o a rope.
Walking, he says, was difficult, ow
ing to the fact that the streets were
filled with debris. He helped in the
work of rescue and in a short time
had assisted in dragging from be
neath the ruins in the street eighty
six persons, all of them dead. The
faces of every one of them, he says,
showed the agony they suffered in
death. Many of them had their arms
across their faces, as though to pro
tect themselves from the falling de
bris. It was neoepparv to release the
prisoners at Palmi, and many of them
succeeded in making their escape.
The Marquis Genoese said he tried
in every wav to enter the town of
Reggio, but his efforts were useless.
He compared Monday's earth shock
with the disturbances of 1894. and
1905, and said it was immeasurably
worse. In fact, he declared, Palmi
was absolutely destroyed.
Fiht for Food.
Messina, Dec. 31. A .frightful
scene occurred here today amid the
ruins of the customs house. Bands
of famished individuals were grop
ing among the debris in the hope of
discovering food. The first of the
searchers who were successful were
attacked by others with revolvers
and. knives, and were obliged to de
fend their finds literally with their
live.". The struggle was fierce. The
famished men threw themselves up
on each other like wolves and sev
eral fel! disemboweled in defending
a handful of dry beans or a few
ounces of flour. One of the unfor
tunates was pinned to a plank by a
knife, while clinging to his hand was
his little child, for whom he had
sought food.
Only the Landlord Escaped.
Paris. Dec. 31. A special dispatch
received here from Rome says that
ninety-six guests, including Ameri
cans, English and French travelers,
were staying at the Hotel Trinacria,
at Messina, when the city was de
stroyed. They all perished. The
proprietor of the Trinacria alone es
caped. There are only two survivors of
tho guests, who were quartered in
the Hotel do France.
Survivors Are leaving.
London. Dec. 31. A special dispatch
from Palermo today says it is esti
mated that up to this morning nearly
100.000 persons had been . embarked
on the warships and other vessels in
the straitrhts of Messina. or nave
other left the devastated district. A U.
the towns and villages along the
wrnisht are raDidlv becoming depopu
lated as there are widespread tears of
further convulsions.
c-nes of the weirdest nature are
being enacted at Messina and other
ruined cities. Grim messages reached
Palermo to the effect that clouds of
crows have descended on the stricken
district, having crossed the sea in re
sponse to some mysterious intuition of
the disaster. In Messina the rescuers
frequently encounter processions of
naked persons bearing images of the
saims. It is exceedingly difficult to
rtpnl wirh these frenzied survivors.
According to reports brought in by
priests, the town of Scilia. near the
famous rock of the same name, has
completely disappeared, and owing to
the topographical alterations even its
site has vanished.
Rnclics of Cheneys Not Found.
Malta, Dec. 31. A wireless dis
natch received here from Messina says
that the bodies of Arthur S. Cheney,
American consul at Messina, and Mrs.
rhpnv have not yet been re
covered.
The British cruiser Philomel left for
Messina today, carrying all the avail
able doctors and medicines and sur
gical appliances. British sufferers
from the earthquake will be brought
here.
Service of Ships Donated.
Berlin, Dec. 31. Emperor William
has ordered the German cruiser
Hertha and the school ship Victoria
Luisa now in the Mediterranean, to be
used for the transportation of food
and 'blankets to the earthquake suf
ferers. Cables for Help.
Pittsburg. Pa.. Dec. 31. Peter
Angelo, a city detective. today re
ceived a cablegram from his sister
from an Italian port saying:
"Home wiped out. but all the family
is safe. In great want for food. No
money or anything els left."
Angelo immediately pawned his
Jewelry and sent $300 to his relatives.
Anxiety is felt here over the prob
able fate of Miss D. W. Tindle and
Mrs. R. P. Kelly, who left Naples on
Christmas for Sicily. James R. Tindle,
a brother of Miss Tindle. is a son-in-law
of Senator P. C. Knox. Other
Pittsburgers believed to have been in
the vicinity of the quake are Mrs.
Julia Goldsmith. Attorney McKelvy
and daughter, Marie; Joseph Polifrom
of the First National bank. Philip
Randall and a great number of prom
inent and wealthy Italian merchants
of this city.
Naval Rations for Destitute.
New York, Dec. 31. The United
States naval supply ship Celtic will
sail irom mis pori iuua iui .wAnta.
with 1.500.000 of navy rations for the
Italian earthquake sufferers. The ra
tions were in' ended to supply the bat
tleship fleet but the navy department
has authorized their delivery to the
destitute Italians and Sicilians.
The United States Steel corporation
today contributed 25.000 to the Red
Cross for the Italian earthquake suf
ferers. The Standard Oil company s contri
bution to the same fund is $10,000.
Mrs. Russell Sage gave $5,000 to the
mayor's fund.
FLEET TO THE RESCUE.
American Battleships Probably AViU
Go to Aid of the Stricken.
Washing;on, Dec. 31. The great
American battleship fleet, built for
purposes of destruction, may after all
have to go down in history as one of
the greatest humanitarian agents in
modern times. Not content with the
outpourings of private charity, it is
probable that the American govern-
(Continued on Page Six.)
ARE LEF1JL0NE.
The Oklahoma Prison Investi
gators Go Home.
Will Return to the Work on
January 9.
KAJfSAJfS STILL THERE
Will Take Testimony of the
Prisoners Today.
Warden Haskell Opens Gates to
Investigators.
Leavenworth, Kan., Dec. 11. The
committee appointed by Governor Has
kell of Oklahoma and Governor Hoch
of Kansas for the investigation of the
Kansas state prison at Lansing have
began their inquiry at the prison.
Kansas AVU1 See It Through.
The Oklahoma investigators left last
night and will return January 9, after
the opening of the legislature at Guth
rie. Meanwhile the Kansas committee
will continue with their inquiry. Today
was spent by the committee in the gen
eral inspection of the institution. It is
probable that the, testimony of the con
victs will be taken todav and it is said
that ex-convicts will be called before
the committee. The investigation fol
lows tne tiling of charges of cruelty in
prison government and discrimination
against the Oklahoma prisoners by Miss
tvate barnard, commissioner of chari
ties in the new state.
Coburn Was for Action.
Secretary Coburn. who was chosen
chairman of the joint committee, asked
the stenographer to say that he. per
sonally, was opposed to dragging out
me investigation in this way.
i came here with these other gentle
men as a representative of the gover
nor, as his agent, to make a thorough
Investigation and report our finding to
mm Detore his term of office expires,"
said Mr. Coburn, "and I certainly object
to any delay."
But tlie Oklalionians Got Cold Feet.
The two committees met at 2 o'clock
at the prison. Warden Haskell met the
members at the front gate and conduct
ed them to the directors' room on the
top floor of the prison where formal
introductions were made. F. D. Coburn
called the meeting to order and an
nounced that the Kansas committee
was willing to Join forces with the Ok
lahoma delegates and -work as a Joint
committee and bring in a joint report
if that idea struck the Oklahoma gentle
men favorably. Judge Connors for Ok
lahoma agreed to this arrangement and
nominated Mr. Coburn for permanent
chairman. Mr. Coburn was elected by
acclamation. - Prof; Blackmar was nom
inated by an Oklahoma delegate for sec
retary and was elected unanimously.
The suggestion of Mr. Gildav of Kansas
that Miss Barnard be brought before
tne committee was withdrawn when
Attorney General West intimated that
Oklahoma did not care to have Miss
Barnard appear further in the investi
gation. Descended Into the Mine.
Dr. Sheldon. Prof. Blackmar and Dr.
Crumbine and others urged that some
immediate tep toward an investigation
be made. A resolution was then adopt
ed whereby it was agreed that a brief
joint inspection of the mine be made
this afternoon and adjournment then
be taken until January 7. Mr. Coburn
announced that the Kansas delegation
would remain and make its investiga
tion independent of the Oklahoma com
mittee. The delegates then went to the
prison mine. Almost half of them got
cold feet at the top of the shaft when
they learned it was 800 feet deep. Sec
retary Coburn, Rev. Mr. Sheldon, Gen
eral West, Prof. Blackmar and the two
mine inspectors and a few others were
dressed in long blue mother hubbards
with white caps and went down into
the mines. They walked south a mile
to the working face which is three
miles long. They tested the air and
ased hundreds of questions. The Okla
homa delegation left at 7 o'clock and
the Kansas delegation stayed at the
prison to visit the night school. Mr.
Coburn took the committee to a hotel
at Lansing for supper. He said in ex
planation of this: "It would not be
proper for us to accept the hospitality
of the warden. For his good as well as
the sake of the investigation we want
to give absolutely no opening for a
charge that any whitewash is being
used. We want to look into every nook
and cranny and ask all kinds of ques
tions. We are going to pro"be this mat
ter to the very bottom and our com
mission gives us almost unlimited pow
er." The Kansas committee came to town
late tonight and will resume the in
vestigation in the morning.
Warden Haskell's Statement.
Speaking of the Bernard charges
Warden Haskell said: "It has been our
purpose and aim to reduce punishment
to the minimum and we bel've that
our form of punishment here to be as
humane and nerciful and in any other
institution where a like numbr of men
are confined. A man that refuses to
work is either confined in a solitary
cell made for that purpose and given
rock to break and fed in proportion to
the work he does, or is handcuffed to a
bar in the cell house with his hands in
a natural position during working
hours or until he w-ill promise to con
form with the rules and regulations of
the prison. For fighting, we have fre
quently had those who fought hand
cuffed together in a cell until they
made up their differences and agreed
to work together in harmony. The crib
is something that has been in use here
for a great many years, but which we
have used but little and recently took
it from the room where it was kept as
we thought the room more desirable
for other purposes, although I should
have left it there had I anticipated this
investigation.
"In regard to the so-called water
cure which has been used only in a
very few instances, and then only on
Incorrigible prisoners, it consists of
handcuffing a man and confining him
in a sitting posture and turning water
on him from an ordinary garden hose.
The water was never forced down his
mouth, neither did it ever result in any
physical injury, it always being used
under the directions of the prison
physician. I believe this to be a hu
mane form of punishment, but it has
been abandoned here on account of the
repugnance many have for it on ac
count of its misuses in some other
places, especially tho punishment which
has been inflicted upon some soldiers in
the army. We wish you to take into
consideration the class of prisoners
which were being received here."
Crumbine Gets, in the Game.
Dr. S. J. Crumbine this morning
personally examined an unusually
large number or men who- reported
sick. He promptly charged
number with shamming, and ordered
them sent to the- mines. Later the
committee made a trip through the
prison, talking informally with the
prisoners. They ate lunch with the
prisoners and pronounced the food
good. The committee today wired
Attorney General Fred S. Jackson at
Toneka. to come to Jjeavenwortn ana
act in the capacity of master. It is
desired to put all the w-itnesses under
oath.
RATE DAY OBSERVED.
Mass Meetings in Over SO Cities and
Tonus in California.
San Francisco. Dec. 31. With the
adoption of resolutions declaring the
proposed increase of transcontinental
freight rates to be unjust and a dis
crimination against California ship
pers, both importers and exporters.
"rate day" was observed throughout
the state by enthusiastic mass meet
ings In thirty odd cities and towns.
Thousands of shippers, small in
dependent dealers as well as the large
companies with wide spread connec
tions, joined i giving voice to a
unanimous protest- against what is
termed the exaction; of an unjust and
unreasonable tax from the industries
of this state. The new rate, which
becomes effective January 1, 1909,
were prepared - by the trans
continental freight bureau which is
composed of representatives of all
roads doing business to and from the
state and it is estimated by the ship
pers that the new figures will mean an
increase in railroad revenues of ten
million dollars annually.
The resolutions ad-opted . at the
meetings yesterday assert that if the
railroads are operating at a loss the
shippers will take legal means to as
certain the exact amount of the
deficit. They further state that if the
high rates are not withdrawn steps
will be taken to enjoin the railroads
from collecting them. The resolutions
also call the attention of the na
tional government to the fact that the
rates of the Panama railroad are de
termined by the transcontinental
roads. i
SEES A BIG CRASH.
Street Railway Official Warns the
Public Against Baiting,'.
Chicago, Dec. 31. In the Electric
Railway journal of New York, ap
pears an article by Charles W. Weston
of the South Side Elevated railroad of
Chicago assisting the public to what
is termed a proper appreciation of
the transportation - problem. Unless
there comes a better understanding
soon Mr. Weston declares "there
inevitably awaits a crash which will
send financial interests jnto chaos
from which no man will say . when
thev will emerge."
Demagogues and self-exploiters are
blamed by Mr. Weston for creating all
the popular clamor against public
corporations.
The peril to corporations, says he.
"is not of sudden or recent origin.
It began to take form many years ago.
What was then a sort of vague, mist
like danger, seen only as some far-off
possibility, today becomes a well-de
veloped destroyer, thundering at the
door of every street car line in the
Union.
Mr. Weston admits that the public
is not wholly blameable, as the cor
porations have not taken the proper
steps to enlighten it on the subject.
He intimates that some bad corpora
tions in the past have been at fault,
but says times have changed and the
public utility corporations today have
no other motive than a desire to as
sist in the betterment of the world.
FIGHT WITH ROBBERS.
Citizens and Thieves Exclmnge 200
Shots Nobody Hurt.
Muskogee, Dec. 31. Five robbers
dynamited the bank at Wellston, Okla..
east of here, and after exchanging
shots with the citizens escaped with
$5,000. No one was hurt. The robbers.
heavily armed, rode into Wellston after
midnight. They erected a barb wire
barricade around the bank and while
some members of the gang went to
work on the bank safe, others stood
guard. The citizens were soon up in
arms and a lively exchange of shots
with the robbers roilowed. The roo
bers, however, were well armed and
protected, and for two hours they stood
off the citizens while their comrades
worked on the bank's vault. When
they finally succeeded in securing the
money it contained the five men rode
off. It is believed two hundred shots
were exchanged, but no one is believed
to have been hurt.
To the People of Kansas.
The legislature will convene in regu
lar session within the next two weeks.
The TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL Is the
official state publication, and will ac
cordingly publish the new laws, as well
as report in detail each day the work
of both the house and senate.
It will be the only paper to publish
the new laws and amendments made ef
fective on publication in the official
state paper.
Accordingly, the STATE JOURNAL is
naturally the paper you and your
friends will want for legislative news.
The rate by mail for the daily is 30
cents per month. 60 cents for two
months, 90 cents for three months,
$1.00 for 100 calendar days, $1.80 for six
months, $3.60 per year.
Teachers Party to Europe.
Summer 1909 combining culture
and recreation. Write the Chautauqua
Tours, Appleton, Wisconsin.
The Crank. "You say there is nearly
always something broke about your auto
mobile?" "Yes," answered Mr. Chugging,
nervously. "What is it, as a rule?" "Me."
Washington Star.
Weather Indications..
Chicago, Dec. 31. Forecast for
Kansas: Snow tonight or Friday, with
rising temperature.
POLITICALGOSSIP
F. J. Altwager Has Some Ideas
on Bank Deposits.
Thinks That No New Law Is
Necessary.
AMRINE IS HERE.
Favors Carrying Out Party
Pledges Strictly.
Senator Long Arrives in Topeka
From Washington.
F. J. Altswager, treasurer of Reno
county, spent part of the week in the
city and in an interview gave his idea
of a settlement of the all important
problem of the guarantee of bank de
posits which threatens to consume
many days of debate and deliberation
in the next legislature. Mr. Altswager's
plan, he says, will guarantee the safety
of .banks without the enactment of any
new laws, being merely the enforcement
of laws now on the statute books.
The law, as is well known, provides
for the double liability of all holders
of bank stock in case of failure, but it
is often evaded and for various reasons
rarely enforced effectively. Mr. Alt
swager would place restrictions about
tnis clause of the law which would
make a stockholder in a bank nothing
more nor less than a bondsman for that
bank to the extent of double the amount
of the stock he holds. This stockholder
would have to certify to the proper offi
cial that he was worth in real estate.
or other holdings acceptable as a bond.
clou Die the amount of the stock he ac
quires, and these would be tied up as
long as he held that bank stock and
would therefore be at hand and accessa
ble at once for the receiver settling up
the affairs of that mank. j
'Take for instance," said Mr. Alts
wager, today, in discussing the matter,
"a bank that is capitalized at $100,000
and has deposits totaling a half million
dollars. That bank fails. Well, there
is $200,000 at hand in assets for the re
ceiver in capital stock besides the 20
per cent reserve fund demanded by law, ;
$300,000 in all. Now there never was a
bank failure that did not pay 30 to 40
cents on the dollar in any case after
the crash, so there is your $500,000 in
deposits accounted for and all of the
many objections of the guarantee de
posit law done away with. There is no
combination of banks such as might
come to pass in a guarantee association.
Each bank stands alone on its own bot
tom and yet the rigid enforcement of
this old double liability law makes it
sure that the bank will pay out dollar
for dollar in a very short time.
'Another important feature in con
nection with this .plan is the fact that
stockholders and directors, would, if
they knew they would absolutely have
to pay double the amount of their stock
holdings in' cash, pay much closer at
tention to the workings and business
methods of their bank and the actions
of its officers and thus reduce the pos
sibility of failure to a minimum."
M.' F. Amrine of Council Grove, representative-elect
from Morris county.
spent the day in the city. Mr. Amrine
is publisher of the council Grove Guard
and well known In this section of the
state. He favors carrying out the
pledges of the party and in this regard
wants a guarantee deposit bill that will
be effective and fulfill both the letter
and spirit of that pledge. He is in
clined to believe that there will be
more trouble in reaching an agreement
on this measure in the next legislature
than the average reader would be led
to believe from reading the almost
unanimous endorsement of the measure
by the members-elect. "All of them
might favor the measure," said Mr
Amrine, "but there is sure to be a dif
ference of opinion between the extreme
radicals who would go to the point of
crippling the banks and the conserva
tives who are too friendly with the
banks and bankers and place the lat
ter's interests above that of the peo
ple." Mr. Amrine has some very practical
ideas in regard to good roads legisla
tion. He does not favor an additional
tax for good roads, but rather favors
making permanent road improvements
with the present sum of money now
spent by the state for this purpose. He
said: "Take a township that spends
$10,000 in ten years for road" work,
which is an average example, and you
cannot, at the end of that time find
anything to show for the expenditure;
but $10,000 spent on good roads in one
township under the direction of some
one who knows how to build a good
road along permanent lines, and at the
end of ten years' work that township
will have good roads to show for the
same sum it has always spent without
results. That is the kind of good roads
legislation that I shall favor."
Mr. Amrine will likely introduce a
bill that will in the end prove a great
advertisement for old grasshopper-ridden,
drouth-stricken Kansas, being a
measure providing for the paying off
of the state debt of some half million
dollars by a tax levy of one-sixth of a
mill for this purpose. This levy would
wipe the slate clean at the end of two
years, and then Kansas could truly
boast' that it was the only state in the
union free of debt. That would hold
the easterners for a minute while it
Jarred them at the same time.
H W. Shideler of Girard. representative-elect
from the Twenty-third dis
trict of Crawford county, was in the
city today looking for a room during
the next session. Mr. Shideler had no
pet measure at this time that he want
ed to talk about, but he will vote for
the carrying out of the G. O. P. pledges
made during the last campaign.
As is well known, the state is its
own insurance company so far as the
enarantee against fire loss to the ten
-million dollars worth of state prop
erty is concerned. In other words not
one of the state's buildings are in
sured against loss by fire. If a build
ing is burned the state figures that
it can assume the risk and make good
the loss cheaper than by turning the
responsibility over to some insurance
company. In speaking of the matter
today State Auditor Nation could call
to mind no material loss by fire that
the state has suffered during the last
ten years to any of its numerous
buildings in ail sections of the state.
Now the premiums that the state
Would had to have paid during that
period if it had carried insurance on
all its property would have totaled
over a half million dollars at ordinary
rates. So if four or five buildings
valued at $100,000 each, should burn
down in the next few days the state
could pay for the loss, which is to
say, replace the buildings with new
ones, and still be out less money than
if she had carried insurance during
the past quarter of a century and be
able to collect the full value of these
losses from the insurance companies.
As it is, up to date, the state has
saved the half million or more in clear
profit, but it has been very fortunate
in having no fire of consequence dur
ing all that long period.
The abstracters of Kansas are even
more strongly opposed to the adoption
of the Torrens system of land registra
tion and transfer than the real estate
men are in favor of the proposed law.
Senator Chester I. Long arrived in
Topeka last night from Chicago,
where he had been called on busi
ness from Washington during the
holiday recess of the national con
gress. He came here at attend the
banquet of the Saturday Night club
tonight, at which function he is listed
as one of the speakers. The senior
senator had nothing particular to say
about affairs at the national capital,
but when asked about the revival of
the rumors that he was to be a mem
ber of Taft's cabinet, he smiled and
replied: "There is nothing to it."
MILLION FOR WINE.
Disaster in Sicily Will Have Little
Effect on New York.
New York, Dec. 31. With the usual
predictions as to a million dollar wine
bill incident to the gaiety in hotel and
cafe, New York awoke today prepared
for New Year's eve and the riotous
celebration which always characterizes
the occasion in the city. Although the
disaster in Italy has had the effect of
saddening the Italian residents, indi
cations are that despite the horrors
abroad. Broadway and the theater dis
trict will revel and celebrate as usual.
Various and many merrymaking de
vices have been installed in the big
hotels of the city where for weeks in
advance prominent personages and
others less prominent engaged tables,
and the clink of glasses will sound as
1908 slinks away and the new year,
1909, bursts in, accompanied by the
sounds of steam whistles, bells and
mingled cries from human throats.
Early this morning venders of noise
making machines and confetti made
their appearance on the streets, but
the "Ticklers" men were not much in
evidence. Police Commissioner Bing
ham having ruled that there shall be
no "tickling" along the Great White
Way. No rowdyism, just a good
wholesome time, is Mr. Bingham's
plan for the night. Whether his defi
nition of a New Year's celebration will
be upheld by the great throng which
packs the streets remains to be seen.
MATHUES IS DEAD.
One Pennsylvania Capitol Grafter
Escapes Prison Term.
Media., Pa., Dec. William L.
Mathues, 46 years old, former . state
treasurer of Pennsylvania, died late
yesterday at his home here. The cause
of death was given by his physician
as pneumonia, but it is generally be
lieved that this illn J was superin
duced by Mr. Mamues's troubles
brought upon him by the Harrisburg
capitol graft cases and his recent sen
tence of two years in the penitentiary
for his part in the alleged conspiracy
against the state.
MERCURY TAKES A DROP.
Gets Down to 13 Degrees But Soon
Rises.
Topeka escaped the big blizzard
which swept across the Dakotas and
Minnesota and the greater part of the
northwest during the past 4 8 hours,
but has experienced a marked drop in
the temperature readings during the
past 2 4 hours. The mercury dropped
to 17 degrees above the zero point
during the early morning hours and
remained stationary until after day
light. At 7 o'clock it recorded 17 but
during the next three-quarters of an
hour took a sudden drop and between
7 and 8 o'clock registered 13.9 the
minimum for the past 24 hours.
By 8 o'clock it had again climbed
back to the 17 notch where it re
mained for an other hour and by
slow but steady climbing reached 20
at 2 o'clock. A piercing 6 mile an
hour wind has prevailed from the
east since morning with no sunshine
and the forecast indicates rain or
snow, probably snow, during the next
24 hours with a rise in the tempera
ture. The following were the
temperatures since 7 o'clock this
morning:
7 o'clock 17 11 o'clock 18
8 o'clock 17 12 o'clock 20
9 o'clock 17 1 o'clock 20
10 o'clock 18 2 o'clock 21
SAMUEL. ROUDEBUSH IS DEAD.
Came to Topeka Seventeen Years Ago
From Carrollton. Ohio.
Samuel Roudebush, aged 84 years,
died early this morning at the home
of his son, E. E. Roudebush, 329
Woodlawn avenue, as the result of a
cold contracted several weeks ago.
His death occurred at 12:20 o'clock.
He had made his home with his son
for several years.
Mr. Roudebush came to Topeka
seventeen years ago from Carrollton,
Ohio.
He leaves a large family, many of
whom are well known and reside in
Topeka. His sons are E. E. Roude
bush, E. H. Roudebush and A. H.
Roudebush of Topeka, J. W. Roude
bush of Garfield, Wash., and S. B.
Roudebush of Freedom, Ind. The de
ceased also leaves two daughters. Mrs.
M. J. Marshall of Memphis and Mrs.
L. C. Bailey of Topeka.
The funeral arrangements will be
announced later.
Pullman Franchise Subject to Tax.
San Francisco, Dec. 31. Judge Sea
well of the superior court of this city
has decided that the franchise of the
Pullman company is subject to taxa
tion by the state of California in ex
actly the same manner as that of any
railroad corporation. This decision
was rendered in overruling a demurrer
interposed by the Pullman company
to the complaint brought by State
Comptroller Nye for delinquent taxes
amounting with interest to $36,519.
WAY MADE CLEAR
Burton Has Unobstructed Path
to Seat in Senate.
Both Taft and Foraker With
draw From the Itace.
FOR SAKE OF HARMONY
Each Issues a Statement Ex
plaining His Course.
Senior Senator Takes a Shot at
the Machine.
Columbus. O.. Tiff 31
Theodore E. Burton was decided upon
toaay as the next United States sena
tor from Ohio. Charles P. Taft. broth
er of the president-elect, and Mr. Bur
ton's most formidable opponent, with
drew from the race and Senator For
aker issued a statement later admit
ting that his defeat for re-election was
certain. All the minor candidates have
either withdrawn or will get out of tho
race. It is said that Mr. Taft will re
main in virtual control of the Repub
lic" ?f a"izatln and that he will have
the united support of the party for the
senatorship in 1911 if he desires it The
election of Mr. Burton, it is said will
eliminate both Senator Dick and Myron
T Hernck from the 1911 senatorial sit
u y. tion.
1T?enPatrForaker "ill again oppose
political leaders here were inclined to
J? JP.rei Mr' Faker's statement is
sued today as in the nature of a vale
dictory. Columbus. O.. Dec. 31.-Definite an
nouncement was made from his head-
fff8. he,rt,today that Charles P.
I aft had withdrawn from the senator
ial race in the interest of harmony."
f 3 al,so Stated that the Hamilton
county delegation, the backbone of the
Taft strength, would be delivered to
Congressman Theodore E. Burton, thus
insuring his election, as the successor
of Senator Foraker.
Mr. Taft issued the following state
ment: "My candidacy from the beginning
seems to have been misunderstood. I
have been represented as urging my
own personal ambition at the expense
of Republican harmony and success
The imputation is unjust; but that is of
no moment now. The cause of it shall
exist no longer. I yield the personal
ambition for the accoinnlishment k,
ter and more important things.
"I have been a sincere and constant
Kepujoiican all my life. I have servtvi
my party and the people of my com
munity as a member of the legislature
of Ohio and of the congress of thfl
United States. It was my privilege to
be one of those who nearly 40 years
'so ' m the general assembly of this
state, stood for the authority of party
Judgment as formed In public sentiment
and expressed in party caucus when
John Sherman was sent to the senate
ui ine united states.
"I have long had an ambition to be
a senator from Ohio. I have sought
this great honor without reliance upon
the popularity or prestige of any other
man; and especially without any expec
tation that my motives would be misin
terpreted, or my personal desires would
endanger that harmony among Republi
cans everywhere, which is so essential
to the success of the incoming national
administration.
"Conditions have now arisen which
impose a higher duty upon me than th
gratification of any personal ambition.
It is clear that a prolonged contest for
the senatorship would divide tho Re
publican party of Ohio, and I am not
willing to be in any way xwiponsible
for such division. Although rt does not
appear at present that any candidate
has enough votes to win a caucus nom
ination, and though many of my friends
insist that I can and will be elected I
put these considerations aside in ordjr
to meet worthier obligations. 1 with
draw as a candidate for senator and
with grateful appreciation release my
friends from further effort in my be
half. I will resume my place In the
councils of the Republican part and
give to its welfare and to the splendid
policies for which it stands the earn'
service and devotion which hav been
the great privilege and pride of my
life."
Foraker Retires.
Senator Foraker at noon issued a
statement formally withdrawing from
the senatorial fight. This leaves the
field practically clear for Mr. Burton,
The statement follows:
"The withdrawal of Mr. Taft sim
plifies the situation.
"Under all the circumstances I
would have been glad . to have been
re-elected, but inasmuch as that sevma
impossible I feel that there is a great
compensation for any personal dis
appointment involved for myself In,
the result that has been reached.
"If nothing more had been ac
complished, a lesson of lasting value
has been taught in the demonstration
that a party organization is powerful
only when it confines itself to its
legitimate business and duties as the
agency and representative of the
whole party, and that it loses its force
and power when it becomes a per
sonal asset of an individual.
"The party, the state and the coun
try are to be congratulated upon tho
assured election of Mr. Burton. He Is
well qualified by experience, ability
and character for' the high and dig
nified office to which he has been
chosen.
"I extend my most heartfelt thanks
to all my friends who have so loyally
stood by me during this trying contest.
The recollection of their zeal and
fidelity while struggling under such
disadvantages will always be cher
ished and appreciated."
Later in the day Governor Andrew I
Harris and General J. Warren Keifer
also withdrew and it was stated former
Lieutenant Governor Harding woull
drop out of the race. Friends of Sena
tor Charles Dick were deeply concerned
over the developments of the day. It
has been the invariable rule in Ohio
politics that northern and southern
ends of the state should alternate in
the naming of senators. As both Mr.
Burton and Mr. Dick are from the
north, it is said the senatorship win go
to a southern man in 1911. Many be
lieve that Mr. Taft will renew his can
didacy at that time. Senator Foraker's
friends believe that he, too, will make
the race two years hence.