The sun., 1891-01-21
Alliance Legislators.

The lower House OF the Kansas LeESl0-
ture is q branch Of the Farmers Alliance
this year, and the proceedings arc q trlle
less formal than is common In legislative
bodies. There is large attendance OF Alli-
ance leaders. and perhaps tho consciousness
of being watched by their bosses makes the
new legislators little embarrassed and un-
comfortable. Besides, the majority OF the
members are unacQuainted with ono another,
os well rs with parliamentary etiquette
The typical member, as described by tho
Topeka correspondent of the Kansas City
Times, would bo a man nearly so years Of
age, somewhat stoutly built, short OF stature
and gray OF beard. Tho great majority OF
the members have passed the primo of
life and nearly all Of them look like
men who have earned their living
by hard labor" They are "hard headed
but not bald headed; all OF them have heads
OF hair that would prevent the ticket seller
for variety show from giving them seats
in the front row." Spectacles are few, there
are no silk hats, and the members are not
pretty, but mean business. Such is the AS
sembly which Secretary Of State WILLIAM
HIGGINS called to order at noon last Tues
day. Signing the roll and swearing in pro-
ceeded quietly. though the House broke into
applause when the head OF H1GGINs's gavel
few off the handle j. B. COOKS was elected
temporary Speaker. He became mixed"
in putting a motion, and the House laughed.
I'VE are from the rural districts, gentle
men," said the unabashed CooNs. land liza
BILE TO make mistakes. but we hope to come
out all right by and by" 1t was moved that
the rules of the last House be adopted with
a single change. Only one member voted
against the motion. but Mr.. CooNs cried out
that 1.-The noes predominate.' Somebody
moved that the motion lie on the table. "Shall
1t lie on the table?" asked the temporary
Speaker. Those who want it to lie on tho
table soy aye, and those who want to be
contrary say no." Finally tho original mo-
tion was carried, most of the members not
voting. perhaps because they wero little
puzzled as to what the vote was about.
ELDER OF Franklin, "a short, thick-set
man, whose dark chin wi.iskers; cut in an
old-fashioned style. reached down like a
thick. long stubblo to the Prince Albert
coat which was buttoned up tightly,to his
chin," was elected Speaker. BEN MArc1I-
EFT OF Osborne was elected Speaker pro
TEN. At tho conclusion of tho rol! call Rep
resentative Dryden objected to the way in
which the Clerk pronounced his name. II
called 1t twice." said the Clerk severely, and
then urbanely. but somewhat inappositely,
added THANK you" During this roll call
the most illustrious son OF tho Sunnower
State was placed upon exhibition. JERRY
SIMPSON "looked OveI the ussemblage
through gold-bowed spcctacles. He is
slight Of figure, and his face tanned and
sallow as it is keen and bright. His hair is
dark. and heightens the sallow aspect OF
his countenance. All that WAS farlncr-like
about him was the old, faded. spring over
coat he wore. His neat black tic and
clerical-looking collar gave him rather tho
appearance OF clergyman, and he laughs
dcrisively at the stories told OF his sockless-
ness Tho Clerk called dickinson
twice. man In tho middle aisle roso and
said, "Mr. Speaker. you got my namo
wrong. It's DICKSON" Never mind"
said Speaker ELDER OF Franklin; "answcr
any way" BEN RICH of Trego was nom-
mated for Chief Clerk. During the roll call
Q member asked, "What Is going on 2"
G-svely did the Speaker rcbuke tho in
quirer: "You ought to pay attention. What
are we doing? We arc voting for BEN RICH
ACA SuAcA SAcAA. 1uCu Iuo OultGrS
selected by tho Alliance caucus wore elected
by acclamation. There were two ladies' in
tho list. JOHN SLAUGaTEHBACK is one of
the assistant doorkeepers. The usual COM
mittees OF notification were appointed. and
tho House adjourned.
When the House had been called to order
the next morning the Chaplain made
prayer In which he Especially desired tho
Almighty to bless Speaker ELDER" After
number OF motions. member who rose to
offer resolution was interrupted by the
Speaker. who said:
"Wait minute; tho Chair 10 accidentally little of
his base The next order Of business prayer ought
to hsve bsen the reading Of the Journal Lot US read
tho Journal"
So the journal was read. Among the en-
tries in 1t was one to the effect that Speaker
ELDER, on taking the chair. made "a short
but well-chosen speech" Then the House
tried to elect eight pages. Eight candidates
were nominated, and the Speaker decided
that only eight could be nominated. At last
he agreed that each member should write
$50 y card the names of eight candidates