Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-08
SITUATION ON EVE OF OKLAHOMA
LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
PREDICTIONS ARE GuEssWoRK
FIVE ACTIVE CANDIDATES FOR
HOUSE SPEAK RsHU.
Reed seems TO BE in h IL
ernor Barnes Has Not Yet Com-
pIeted His Message - He
VIII Recommend NUM-
erOus Reforms.

GUTHRIE. o. T, Jan. ..-(Special.}
Nearly all of the members of the Fifth
Oklahoma assembly have arrived in the
city and are trying TO learn the ropes.
There never was a more chaotic condition
on the eve of a legislative session. Only
q few Of the numerous candidates express
any confidence, and that is purely Tor et-
feet. Every combination is embryonic and
takes shape slowly, only TO come to grief
when IL reaches a certain stage.
Tonight Reed. of FL Reno. has the ad-
vantage for speaker of the house. He is
a cousin of Gar" Reed. The other can
didates for speaker are: "Gristmill" Jones.
of Oklahoma City: Walter Stevens, Of Hen
Messy; Dr.. McElrath. of Enid, and w.
H.. Merten, of this city. Jones is backed
by the hustlins abilities of Oklahoma CITY.
Walter Stevens is a formida BILE candidate
and has numerous warm supporters. A
little ancient history. which comes back
as a boomerang, has caused Jones politi-
cal boat to take a serious dip.
AT the first session of the Oklahoma leg
i~slature Jones was a member, as was Mer-
ten. Both of them have been returned
after nine years. At that time Jones was
a candidate for speaker and so was Mer-
ten. Merten received the caucus sanction.
but Jones bolted to the Populist candidate
and succeeded in electing him. thereby be-
coming speaker pro tenn. Merten Will
leave no stone unturned TO crush Jones
ambition.
= For president of the senate there are
three men who have announced themselves,
while a half dozen are receptive candi-
dates" So close is the fight. that pro-
dictions amount 10 but little. If anyone
has the upper hand. IT is Frank Hutto,
of Payne county. a. H.. Huston. of Guth-
ria and RiddiSpD nf paUnee are
very close seconds. 1t is barely possible
that an extended contest may take place.
in which case one of the dark horses would
be the choice of the caucus.
Candidates for sergea~nts-at-arms of both
houses are as thick as flies in a 10 cent
restaurant in August. For the council
there are: B. R. Fowler. Lincoln; d. F.
Smith. Kingfisher; John Watkins. Woods
county: r. c. Dickensheets. Garfield; {. +.
Quimby. Smith has considerably the best
of 1t. He knows it. but works on like a
Trojan. and his untiring endeavors are
likely TO bring results.
For sergeant-at-arms of the house the
fight is between Cliff Scott, of Pott county
and Captain DeFord. of Oklahoma City.
Scott was a rough rider and went through
all the war OF 1865. He will probably win,
unless the old factional light breaks out
anew.
The others who will be numbered among
Lincoln: phil soWers and N. G. Ford. Of
Noble. and Young. of Lincoln.
For enrolling clerk in the house there
a9s Two sqe 9 H. aowa sa f az P ss heard and W from 7
Riggs. of Lincoln. Riggs chances are
damaged, owing to the fact that SO many
candidates for other offices hail from his
c. NJ. Kiger. of Grant county. has a lea!
pipe cinch' for chief clerk of the house
of representatives. There are no other
candidates and M darR bnrcac a~1 r,o,,
toned. He is taking IT easy in conse.
auence, although shaking hands witt
every new member.
There is considerable talk tonight tina,
me ANTS Will jump in and organize the
legislature. There seems to be no tangible
foundation for these rumors. however
and Oklahoma City are pulling wires in the
interest of their respective cities.
h Sovernor Barnes Tss has not yet completed
is very busy. The message will contain
between 4 900 and 5000 words. Private Sec.
rotary Werner will stay up all night to
night. and the stenographers will work un
I'll very late. Everybody will be at worl
tomorrow about the governors office. i
is learned from reliable sources that Gov
ernor Barnes will recommend an amend
ment to the present ballot law. asking fol
needed reforms. He will ask that tax as
easements on property be made at its casl
full valuation. better protection TO tn,
school land lessee and probably recommend
the locating OF penal and charitable insti
tutions with the necessary appropriation tt
build them. There is no territorial railroad
law on the statutes at present. 1t is agreed
that railroad legislation is sorely needed
and there seems to be no question but Thai
2 railroad bill will be introduced. 1t viii
provide for the non-partisan commissioner
TO be appointed by the governor. A Yer,
strong lobby two years ago defeated th'
measure then introduced.
Five cities want TO have the penitentiar,
located with them. Ponca CITY offers tn,
stone to build it. Kingfis1ler claims TO b.
rho laR0ffnn and arr LTntl ~.
FL Reno all have plausible arguments.
The Republicans will caucus Monday
probably in the afternoon. On Monda!
night there will be a reception, ball ant
banquet.