Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-04
THE ANTI-HANNA VICTORY.
Boilers and Democrats In Full Con-
troll of Both Houses of the
legislature.


except Senator Burke. of Cleveland, the
Republican who is opposed to Hanna, and
Senator Voight. the fusionist from Cincin-
natl. hut even then the vote stood is to IL
in favor of the Democrats. who elected all
the officers. O. u. Casseli. Democrat, was
elected chief clerk over A. {. Caine Repub-
ican. the latter having expected reelection
by Burke's presence although Burke would
not support Hanna.
AS Senator Burke was absent and could
not be sworn in. T. L. Cromley. Democrat.
was elected president pro tenn of the sem
ate. but il is understood ne will give way
TO Senator Burke for that place as soon as
the latter arrives to take his seat. The
Democratic organization of the senate was
made complete in n very quiet way. while
detachment of policemen was needed to
hold back the crowd that filed the hall Of
the house and pressed about the entrances.
In the hall of the house the widest
scenes Were witnessed during the first hour
of the session. All of the 109 members
were in their seats. After the name OF
Boxwell had been presented the regular
Republican candidate for speaker. the
name of Representative Mason. Republic
an. was presented by Representative Jones,
Republican. and seconded by two other
Republicans. The Democrats did not par
ticipate in the speaking
As the ballot proceeded there were loud
cheers as the doubtful members responded
TO their names. and when the roll call ap
preached the close and Mason secured the
necessary majority. there was long dem
onstration that delayed the official an
nouncement of the vote.
The first ballot resulted: Mason. SIS: Box
well, So: as had been claimed since Satur-
day night by the combined opposition to
Senator Hanna.
There was also much excitement over the
election of a speaker pro tenn. Speaker
Mason had been all along openly opposed
to the reelection of Senator Hanna. but
John p. Griffith. of Union county, had
been claimed by both sides. The Hanna
men say they counted on him till he was
nominated Saturday night by the combine
for speaker pro TEN. When Representative
Griffith cast his vote in a clear voice for
Mason for speaker there was a wild scene
and the excitement continued till Griffith
was elected speaker pro tenn by the same
vote as that for speaker. The regular Re
publican candidate for chief clerk of the
house was John r. Malioy. secretary of
the Republican state committee.
Malloy has held the position three terms
and was very competent. His voice has
been heard at national conventions and he
was favorite. but he was defeated by
Charles II. Gerrish. a Republican who has
been Mr.. Kurtz' close lieutenant in the or
ganization of the opposition to Senator
Hanna. The combine slate went through
for all the minor places by the same vote
OF 56 to 81, and after the election of Ger
rish the proceedings were very quiet. many
retiring from the crowded lobbies and gal
leries.
One of the first things considered on the
assembling of the general assembly is the
appointment of joint committee on ar
rangements for the Inauguration of the
governor. When this joint resolution came
up to-day in the senate the Republican
senator's as a rule declined to vote on ac-
count of their opposition to Governor Bush
nell. The resolution was adopted by the
Democratic side of the senate chamber, as
sisted by Senators Shepard and Weightman,
Republicans. and Senator .Voights, fusion
This action caused stir about the state
house. Senator Shepard had been consid-
cred friendly to those connected with the
opposition to Senator Hanna, although he
stood by the caucus nominations of his
party in the organization and will vote for
Hanna for senator.
The feeling on the Republican side of
both houses was intense. Senator Garfield
was clerk Of the senate till it was organiz-
ed, and he was very emphatic in his utter
ances.
Previous to the convening of the legislat-
ure the Democrats and anti-Hanna Repub-
hcans Joined arms and marched from the
Great Southern hotel to the state house.
forming quite procession. and during the
noon recess they went out together, join
ing in luncheons and various gatherings
of jollifcation.
During the noon recess crusade was de-
veloped in teiegraphic protests to some of
the Republican members who had voted
with the Democrats. The most notable
case was that of ]. P. Griffith, the Repub-
lican member from Union county, who was
made speaker pro tenn by receiving AZ DEM
ocratic and Republican votes. He received
kilograms from constituents asking him to
resign, saying he would be hung in ef-
figy. and that delegations were en- route to
Columbus to hold an Indignation meeting.
Mr.. Griffith has withstood much agitation
the past week. Last midnight the Hanna
workers got him into a conference at the
Neil house and it is said that he was al
most persuaded" about 3 o'clock this morn
ing, but he did not want TO change without
consulting his wife. who was strangely in
sympathy with the combine that nominat-
ed her husband for speaker pro tenn. The
Hanna workers at 3 a. m. went to the
Great Southern hotel got Mrs. Griffith up
and escorted her to the Neil house, where
she remained with her husband till a.
m, when the KurtZ workers missed both
Mr. and Mrs. Griffith and proceeded to the
Neil house after them. While being es-
corted out of the Neil house the rival
workers got into fight to who should
escort Mrs. Griffith. The anti-Hanna men
succeeded in getting the lady to return to
the Great Southern. where she had the last
interview with Mr.. Kurtz just before the
people formed to start to the state house
for the opening session.
The wives, relatives and other friends of
some members who were in the doubtful
list have had experiences the past few
DAYS and nights almost like this of Mr.. and
Mrs. Griffith and their troubles have prob
ably just begun in that line. While the
Joint senatorial caucuses are held next
Wednesday night. the balloting In the lecis-
lature does not begin for nine days-Wed-
nesday, January L.
The Hanna men have this afternoon car
ried the war into the counties of the nine
Republican members who voted with the
Democrats and trains will be chartered 10
bring their constituents to the state cap
ital 10 make Rome howl" as one of the
Hanna managers expressed il.
The caucuses Of Saturday night and the
organization to-day, We're against Hanna
and 1t is believed when he receives the re-
nomination OF the joint Republican caucus
Wednesday night next that it will be by a
vote that is six short of enough TO elect
but the Hanna men say there will be such
a revolution in Ohio within the next week
as to insure Hannas election by the full
party vote of at least 80 to 20.
II is conceded that Speaker Mason will
dispose of all the patronage Of the house
I'm the interest OF Mckisson and Bushnell
and against Hanna.
The house remained in session during the