The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-13
MUST BE PARTlSANS.
Many Liberal Populists But Not
Enough OF Them
To Elect the BestReading Clerk
In Kansas.
The Old Spirit of "Spoils of Office"
Not Yet Killed Out in Party
Politics.

The caucus OI the 6ODul1SI 4tlSliiECAo
of the house in representative hall last
night to select a reading clerk devel-
oped a very fair Evolutionary entertain
ment and later brought on an inter
esting contest upon the question of
complimenting the Republicans and
permitting them to name Charlie Mar
tin as assistant reading clerk in the
house today. This was defeated.
Eight men appeared before the eau
Gus and gave exhibitions of reading
powers. Some We're bad, some were
fair, others were Indifferent. S. L.
Long of Elk county was finally elected.
He has a deep, heavy voice and will
perform his duties satisfactorily. His
election accomplished, Brow of Pratt
suggested that the exhibition which
Martin had given during the afternoon
demonstrated his unusual qualifications
as a reading clerk. and placed the mat
ter before the caucus, without any mo-
ton, however.
Mr.. Brown said Mr.. Martins expert
ence and ability would save money by
hurrying the work of the session along.
Walters of Labette-I have been ap-
preached by a Republican who asked
as a personal favor that we recognize
Martin and thereby aid him in secur-
ing his old position in congress. I am
In favor or dong so.
Lewis of Rawlins-This place is one
of the plums which go with the Popu-
list majority in the house and am in
favor of giving it to some of our own
people.
Fairchild of Kingman-The members
of this side of the house cannot make
friends by abusing their associates. I
have yet to learn that PopuliSt is a
Populist by reason of his greed for Of
flee. Martin will be a valuable man,
although he is a Republican. Why may
we not be liberal and instead of be-
coming advocates of cranky opinions,
why may we not be liberal and deal
fairly with the Republicans. We can
certainly act with fairness, and, if the
Republicans desire to act the part of
ruffians, let US still be fair.
TrueblOod of Osage-Martin as par
Humanitarian who can at any moment
tell the true status OF a Dill or a reso-
luton is valuable to the speaker. He
would save the state his salary of $3.50
by facilitating the work
Speaker Street-If we permit the Re
publicans TO name Martin it will help
them and not hurt us. It is my opinion
that Martin would save to the state the
amount of his salary for the term
every week by expediting the work of
the house.
Ingles of Phillips-The Republicans
two years ago did not give US anything.
If Martin is such valuable man and
his services would save the state so
much money why would not the same
argument apply TO the speaker, and
why would it not have been wise for
us to elect Lobden instead of Street?
Gray of Lyon-This is a bad prece-
dent to establish. The Populist party
is composed of timber second to none
in the United States. We have another
campaign to fight in Kansas and I
don't believe in telling the people of
the state that we have no one who can
fill the position of assistant reading
clerk. L respect Martin, as I do his
friends on this floor, but 1 will oppose
giving him any position under our
control.
johnson of Labette-I think we need
another clerk, and if I am not mistaken
they must each have bushels of lungs
apiece or they will wear out in few
days and we will have to get some one
else. 1 would rather pillow all day than
read an hour.
Johnson was inclined to get out of the
tangle without trouble,
Fell of Pawnee-I think it is unnec-
essary for US to aid in advertising a
man who wants to get a job under the
Republicans in Washington. That
reading clerks place is a dangerous one
in which to put Republican. He han
dies all the bills and resolutions, and it
is hard to tell what might happen.
Trueblood of Osage-There is no use
attempting to hide anything in this
matter. w e nave made a mistake and
elected man for assistant chief clerk
who cannot read to the house. The
best thing to do is to permit the chief
clerk to arrange his force as he sees
fit, and we may be able to get along
without another reading clerk.
Martins friends made a motion to
postpone indefinitely, but it was voted
down and some of the members put on
their fighting clothes, declaring that
their own people had resorted to poIit-
zeal trickery for the purpose of put
ting Republican in office which
belonged to a Populist.
Graves of Leavenworth exclaimed:
''Have you given your Democratic al
lies anything Have you given your
Republican allies anything? 1 want to
tell you that the election of a Republi-
can to a position, however small will
cost the POpulists dear in the next
campaign. Such action as this. at the
next campaign, will give the Republi-
cans every congressman in the state
of Kansas"
Carr of Stafford would be ashamed
TO go home to the banner Populist
county of the state having been re-
Sponsible for the election of a Repub-
lican to any position. I protest against
such action on the part of the P6pulist
members of this house.
Upon a motion by Marty of Clay,
Chief Clerk Gilpin was authorized to
change his force of clerks and the cleo
ton of an assistant reading clerk went
over with the general understanding
that none will be named This killed
Martins boom, but some of the new
members feared that perhaps a suffi-
Gent number of Popu1ist members
might today vote with the Republicans
and elect Martin. To prevent this
resolution was adopted binding them
to vote for no house employees unless
they were first selected in caucus.
As matters now stand, s. V. Stewart
of Coffey, named as journal clerk, will
be made assistant chief clerk and serve
as an extra reading clerk. Mckenzie
of Morris, who is unable to read, will
serve as assistant docket clerk, taking
William Cederberg's place, the latter
becoming assistant journal clerk. c.
L. IL