Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-02-18
HUTCHINSON, KANSAS, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 49, 1897
KANSAS LEGISLATURES.
An Exciting Time Over t he Rulings OF
Speaker Wellep- Republicans Protest.

Speaker WeIlep- Republicans Protest.
TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. 17.-When True.
blood's resolution to appoint a commit
tee to revise the calendar came up for
action in the house to-day Speaker Pro
Tempore Weilep gave notice to the re-
publican side that the majority had de-
cided to run the wagon" over all OBJ
structions put in the way of the will
of the caucus. lie said the constitu-
ton prescribed that the business of
the house should be transacted by a
majority and he would so rule on mat
ters appertaining to the business of
the house. The speaker then put the
question by viva voce vote and de-
clared it carried. Immediately the re-
publicans began clamoring for
recognition and protesting against
the speakers ruling, but their
loud protestations were of no
avail. Again and again the speaker
pro tenn. put the motions, each time
declaring them carried, notwithstand-
ing the objections made by repub-
licans, Not since the legislative
war; of four years ago had the
house chamber witnessed such exciting
times, There are 81 bills on general
orders ahead of the railroad bill, and
unless the calendar be cleared and UNI
important bills eliminated it will be
impossible, in the face of the organized
opposition to it, to get it up for action
before the close of the session, which
is only 10 days off The populists,
while they have good working ma
joritY, have not the % ma
jority necessary to change the
rules. 1t was necessary, therefore, for
drastic ruling to be made by the speak
er, and Weilep, chairman of the popu-
list caucus, was put in the chair to do
it, The republicans protest that laws
enacted by the aid of this ruling would
be overturned by the courts. but the
populists are undisturbed by this The
house journal will show the transac-
tions of the day and among them that
the resolution ordering the appoint
ment of committee TO revise the cal
endar was passed.
Resubmission received its death blow
in the house yesterday. Although
the house, by vote of so to 81, sus-
tanned the action of the committee of
the whole in recommending the Seaton
resolution for adoption, yet it requires
two-thirds of the house, or s. votes,
to resubmit the question, and to
muster them is out of the question.
The rpsubmissionists mustered every
vote they could to support the
report of the committee. The senti-
ment among the members was great
surprise to the leaders of both sides.
While many of them expected the reso-
luton to be defeated, they had figured
that at least 80 votes would be record
ed in favor of it and some thought it
would carry.
The house, in committee of the whole,
occupied just five minutes in killing a
bill prepared by the judiciary commit
tee requiring that county attorneys
shall be lawyers. An act to compel
railroads to fence their tracks with
hog-tight fence, passed by the SEN
ate, was yesterday passed by the house.
A bill was introduced in the house by
Brown, Of Cowley. which is aimed at
the cattlemen of western Kansas. The
bill prohibits the fencing or inclosing
of lands without the consent of the
owners, and provides a severe penalty
for its violation.
The joint committee of the house and
senate has finally agreed upon bill
relating to textbooks. IL provides for
state uniformity, maximum charges
for books and optional district owner
ship. 1t creates a commission to
carry out the provisions of the act
and fixes penalties for its violation.
The senate adopted without dissent
ing vote the Harris resolution instruct
ing Senators PETER and Baker to vote
against the ratification of the arbitra-
ton treaty. The senate confirmed the
appointment of William Rogers as re-
gent of the state university in execu-
tive session. The vote stood 2S for
confirmation and If against.
Brown, of Pratt, populist, offered in
the house a resolution eXpelling II. c.
Mayes from the floor and striking his
name from the payroll. The resolution
recites that Mayes is clerk of the house
committee of live stock, and has been
guilty of writing to the newspapers
articles rejecting upon the honor and
integrity of members of the house.
The senate devoted much time to
considering the bill for normal school
at Wichita. Amendments were offered
providing for schools at Concordia, and
at Lacrosse or Rush Center, and both
were adopted.
The senate committee Of assessment
and taxation has adopted a general
bill providing that all property, real
and personal, shall be assessed at its full
value, instead Of one-third of the value
as it is now that detailed inventoryof
all property shall be made, open to
only tie inspection of county at
torneys, county clerks and boards of
equalization,
Texas May Join Kansas In Its War on Gulf
Of Mexico Lines.
AUSTIN, Tex, Feb. lO.-Gov. Culber-