The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-01-10
THE HOuSE MIDDLE.

! TOPEKA, Kan, Jan. 9.-The eve of the
meeting OF the Kansas legislature presents
/ puzzlng situation of affairs. The enact.
meRt of all legislation ana the election OF
senator depends upon the organization
of the house. Everything pertaining tC
the organization is in a chaotic state. The
Republicans have majority of one over
all in the house and it would appear that
they ought to effect the organization. The
entire sixty-tbree Republicans attended
this mornings caucus, and they are all in
line. Every member can be depended upon
to not only attend tomorrow's sitting, but
to stand together upon every issue. They
are confident Of being able to organize the
house.
The popullsts, too are confident of con-
! trolling the organization, although they
decline TO make known the basis of their
confidence. They have been in caucus al
most continually throughout the day, but
10 definite news of their plans has been
permitted TO leak out. Several plans have
| been considered. One contemplates the
exclusion from the floor of the house of all
members whose seats are contested. TIE
pOpulists have filed eighteen contests and
the Republicans but seven, so that the ex-
clusion plan would give the populists a
Z
now II charge of the populists, the in
auguration today having placed them in
control.
The secretary Of state is custodian of the
Z building and Of representative hall until
the regular CustUdIaus shall have been
regularly lpsta He'd. The secretary OF state
therefore, may appoint Or-keepers. and
may instruct them to admit only such
persons as he directs. In this manner the
members whose seats are contested may
be excluded. This would necessitate the
employment of large guard TO keep the
Contestlug mem bers from forcing their
way in. and that would doubtless result
in riot, which both sides say they are
anxious TO avoid. Another plan is for the
secretary of state in reading the list of
members-eiect 10 omit the names of the
members whose seats are contested, to re-
fuse TO swear them in. and. in calling the
roll on temporary organization, TO refuse
TO allow them 10 vote.
The Republicans have arranged to
checkmate both tnese schemes by p-o.
CeedIng in the supreme court The court
opens Its regular January term tomorrow,
and an injunction could be speedily pro
cured 10 prevent these plans from being
carried into effect
George l. Douglass. the caucus nominee
Tor speaker IN an interview with the As
soc!ated Press representative tonight, said
tH1t tAo hepuoilc3n caucus lau consider
Ell both OF these schemes aud had perfected
plans to cheCkmate the populistS AT every
move, unless some unforeseen action
should be taken.
Have you considered the po7ulists'
plan OF organizing an independent
house ;"
I'VE have Such house woul5 Of
course, have the support Of the senate snI
the governor. Il sucA house is formed,
proceedings will be begun AZ once to test
rs validity. Pending these proe=-1iuEs,
no act Of theirs or Of ours would lie legal.
aud they could enact 40 legislation nor
choose a senator until the supreme court
should decide which house was the re-u-
on our side, and the supreme court you i
doubttess decide against the ramp hou>e' -
>, ". Brclaeutual, chalrmau 8f the pop
uilst central committee, ssll to the re-
porter:
"0n, we viii organize the house.
'liow -
" ait tiil tomorrow. then vou Will see -
Further tAau lls> Mr. Bceideutgsl
" nid make 10 statement
iae Democrats held another ca1>uS n
day. seven members We're present. VINO
pledged themselves 40 rsA- suca scf.ou =
Won. Drs. sGnSerNe the interests Of the
Democratic party Wuea u,N-s If tee
would support the p0pua>gs aurlnr me-
orEauIzatIOu ot the house they ,v-re non 1
Me>srs.- Ryan and D-uStnor- /
have attended poDu!ISt caucuses, huy they
say that they Glu 80 Oh tue uu3srstaUd!ug 4