Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-11
KANSAS. RIVAL HOUSES.


KANSAS RIVAL HOUSES.
Members Slept on Their Arms and Began
the Fight Again.
TOPEKA, KAN. Jan. 1.-THE rival houses Of
the Kansas Legislature have been in continuous
session in Representative Hall since their or
ganization yesterday. At o'clock this morn
ing, when IL became apparent that no move
could be made by the populists until the senate
declared and each side relaxed somewhat its
vigilance
Speakers Douglass and Dunsmore agreed that
neither side should attempt to transact business
during the night and they retired. Blankets
were brought and joint bed was made up for
them behind the speakers desk, where they en-
joyed more or less undisturbed -epose.
The other members CT the two houses were
less fortunate, being obliged to sleep in chairs,
on the floor or in any nook or corner no. other
WIG occupied.
REPUBLICANS PETITION THE GOVERNOR.
During the night the republicans prepared
memorial to the governor signed by GA members
who bad certificates of election from the state
canvassing board certified to by the secretary Of
state, setting forth. that they, majority Of two
OF the whole lumber OF members had particle
pated in the republican organization. and petit
lonlng him TO recognize that body as the
legally constituted house of representatives.
This communication was taken to the gov
ernor at midnight. He aroused and ac
cepted the document. but told the committee
presenting it that he had no statement to make.
Among the siguers TO this document was Jas.
Wilson, the independent member, whose posi-
ton up to that time had been uncertain.
PREPARING FOR ACTION.
At o'clock this morning the members began
TO arouse themselves and to cast about for
breakfast. Sandwiches and coffee were served
in the cloak rooms and then began q
three hours wait for the assembling of the
Senate. The populists' plan for bringing
things to an issue contemplated an important
move at 10 o'clock, to which hour the senate
adjourned yesterday. The plan involved
the recognition OF the populist house
ruled by populist majority. This be-
ing done the populist speaker was TO
request the retirement of all persons not
members OF the house. including the members
Of the republican house. II the latter declined
to withdraw Voluntarily, then the governor was
to order the adjutant general to lend his assist
ance In forcing them out, the latter being au-
thorized to order out the militia TO enforce his
orders.
THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE ApJoURSs
Both houses were called to order simultane-
ously at 10 O'Clock by the respective speakers.
Mr.. Douglas. the republican speaker, made
short address, expressing tho hope that the
members would maintain quiet and preserve
order
Mr.. Dunsmore, the populist speaker, addressed
the populist house at the same time, that
neither he nor Mr. Douglas could be well under
stood. He made remarks to the same effect
and outtalked Mr.. Douglas.
The republicans adopted concurrent resolu-
tons providing for joint committee of the
house and senate to wait upon the governor
and inform him that both houses we're in ses-
zion ready to receive communications from
him. The republicans then closed the legis-
lative day Of Tuesday and adjourned until 1915
o'clock.
At lo:15 O'Clock the republicans we're called
to order. Two populists answered by mistake
to the republican roll call, which showed
technically sixty-six members present on the
republican side.
In the meantime the populists did nothing
excep: await the return of their committee APP
pointed to wait upon the governor and senate.
PoPULIsr SENATOR'S KEEP HANDS OFF.
Meanwhile a caucus Of the populist members
Of the senate WAS held, at which 1t was decided
that the committee from neither house would
be received
This the result Of a conference between
Attorney General Little, the .populist senator.
and Gov. Lewelling, at which it was decided
that there was question as to the
legality Of tho organization Of either
and that SO long there any doubt
neither house had been recognized. This was
the plan counselcd by tho conservative mem
bers Of the populist house, who hope that some
compromise may be effected which will a. the
same time give them q majority in the house
and amalgate tho two houses.
The senate met at 10 o'clock and after the
usual routine business adjourned until o'clock
this afternoon. declining to receive the COM
mittee from either house. While this condition
Of affairs obtained the two houses were still
holding their respective forts in Representative
Hall, waiting action by the senate upon their
concurrent resolutions.
At IL O'Clock the committee reported that the
senate had adjourned and had declined to re-
ceive them. Then the two houses lapsed again
into period Of impatient waiting.
The populists at IL is adjourned their legis-
lative session Of Tuesday and began the legisa-
tive day of Wednesday.
UPSET THE PoPULIsr PLAN.
Tho action by the senate in declining to recog-
nize the populist house upsets the populist plan
to force the house squabble to an issue. The
developments up to this time have been
Kaleidoscope in their changes, and there is no
telling what particular phase Of the situation
the next turn of the wheel may present.
Immediately after the adjournment of the
senate the populist senators went into caucus
to consid er further the status of the two
houses.
1t was decided that the senate had before it
no evidence as to the legality Of the organization
OF either house and that it could consequently
recognize either 1t was further determined a
committee should be appointed at this after
moons session to investigate the condition OF
affairs in the house, to consult legal advice and
to determine. if possible, which house was or
ganized according to law.
Tho Prohibition Fight in South Dakota.
PIERRE, 8. D., JAM IA canvass for the
legislature indicates that majority of the men,
bers opposed to resnbmi,ting the prohibit
ton clause of the constitution. but an active
body is on hand working for resubmission of
the bill, and every effort is being made to in
duce mem bers to change their yieva Euouph