Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-01-19
The House Middle.

Ever since Kansas has been a State
it has been customary for the Secre-
tary of State to call the House Of
Representatives to order, read the
roll Of representatives elect, as pre-
pared by the state canvassing board,
have these members sworn in, put u
motion made by some member sworn
in designating speaker pro tem
When Secretary of State Osborne, on
the 10th day Of January, attempted
to follow this time honored custom
the republicans on the floor of the
house objected The Populists asked
of them some law regulating the or
ganizahon, this they failed to pro
duce, SO the Popullsts insisted upon
following custom, and considerable
turmoil ensued. Mr.. Osborne with
drew with the roll, two Houses were
organized that have been in existence
ever since, to the great expense and
disgrace of the State.
Various plans of compromise have
been suggested but all have been re-
iected, and the muddle still exists.
Governor Lewelling and the Senate,
both Populist, have recognized the
Populist house, thus giving to that
organization decided advantage
over the Republican branch. Not
withstanding this recognition there
is considerable doubt as to the legal
organization of the body.
The election returns as canvassed
by the State Board showed GA Repub-
licans, l Independent, So Populists,
and 2 Democrats. This list excludes
Rosenthal of Haskell county, who has
been allowed a seat, thus decreasing
the republicans one, and increasing
the democrats one. Upon this show
ing the republicans have enough
votes to organize, 63 being the re-
CURED number. One Of these repub-
licans, the member from Coffee coun-
ty, may not be justly entitled to his
seat; this would reduce their vote to
G2, not enough in itself to organize,
and upon this the fight hinges. Since
the first day or two the independent
and the three democrats have been
voting with the republicans The
Populist house is madeup of G6 mem.
bers, the IS holding certificates and
Swho are contesting places now held
by republicans.
1t seems to the HERALD that Cover.
nor Lewelling and the Senate have
made a mistake, as this paper cannot
figure out sixty-three Populist mem
bers. Neither is the republican house
right, as membership in the legisla
ture has been based upon the rol
prepared by the State Board. The
list for the present house has meyer
been read, and probably will not Sc
long as the dual houses exist,
As an indication of the sentiment
of tho Populists of this section t
meeting was held in this city yester
day that was attended by gentlemen
from different parts Of the county, al
members of the Peoples Party, WHIT
discussed the Legislative situation
thoroughly and passed the following
as their solution of the way out.
ReSoLced, That we believe that th,
proper course to pursue is for botl
houses to dissolve and let Secretar,
Osborne read the certified list, anC
then proceed with the organization o
the house.
This resolution was sent to Repre-
sentative Wagner The People
party is just now in the midst of
critical test, and 1t cannot afford t,
follow the ADVICE Of its radical lead
ers. The party must stand by law
by right and justice, even though l
does lose the temporary advantage o
the house organization. The people
expect much of the new party, and l
it does right now, in the future it vii
attract to It's membership all lover
of political honesty. Do wrong nov
and the party goes down never to ris
again.