The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-18
IT is KILLED.
There VIII Be No Constitutional
Convention.
Bale Waggener's Resolution
Meets Violent End.
VOTE is ONE SIDED.
Stood 80 for to 50 Against the
Proposition.
Lengthy Speeches by Leaders
Characterize the Contest.
VOTE IS ONE SIDED


The constitutional convention PROPOSE
ton was defeated in the house by
vote ofsS2 to 81 Eleven members were
recorded as absent or not voting In
this number We're two of the Shawnee
county members. Belts and Will
Jams.
After Bale Waggener, the author of
the proposition had opened the debate
with speech advocating the adoption
of his resolution, Representative jerks
made carefully prepared speech against
it. Mr.. jerks led the fight in opposition
to the proposition.
He said in concluding his address,
1t is easily within the reach of pos
sibilities that such a convention would
take away the right of trial by jury;
would take away the homestead ex-
emptions; would take away the restric-
tons upon taxation; would take away
the restrictions on banks and banking;
would take away restrictions on corpor-
atoms. railroads. and the prohibitory
amendment.
In such convention would be men
who a their best would be moved by a
desire to impress the constitution with
their handiwork: each would want to
add at least one amendment to stamp
his family name forever upon the bull
Wark of the commonwealth
And fear that before they adjourn
ed each member would have his amend
ment; just as each senator has his
clerk and each member of the house
mas ms emplOye on the legislative pay
roll. And this suggests another objection
to constitutional convention. It would
be expensive. If there is much to do, it
will take time to do it. I believe that
100000 would not cover the expense and
SO, believing that our constitution is
fairly suited to the condition and wants
of our people; that it is ripe in wisdom;
embodles large experience. that there is
no demand for sudden and radical
changes; believing that it would be ex-
pensive and fearing the baneful posi-
bihties of such a convention, I oppose
the resolution.
7 believe that the ordinary method of
submitting the amendments is rapid
enough and insures greater delibera-
ton and more common consent. 1 be-
lieve it better that we should prove ali
things, hold fast that which is good"
Nearly all the speeches were against
the proposition. Adams of Sedgwick
and Keith of Montgomery spoke for
it. Gale of Mcpherson, Robbins of
Hamilton. Wilson and Griffin of JEFF
ferson, and Barnd Of Ness. all spoke
This was the first speech made by
Mr.. Barnd on the floor of the house.
but he showed that he could make a
strong argument He said that when
he came to Topeka five weeks ago he
was in favor of a constitutional con-
Vention, but he is now against it be-
cause he believes it would be used to
deprive the western part of the state of
much of its representation in the lower
house
When the roll was called it showed
that the following voted for the pro-
position:
Messrs. Adams of sedgwick, Ballard
Bowman, Broadbent. Brown of La
bette. Burke. Campbell of Bourbon
Fisher, Focke Harris. Husey, Jensen,
Keith, Kirkland, Langheld, Laughlin,
Lynn, McIntire, Mclaughlin, Miller
O'Donnell, Perkins of Leavenworth
Pollock, Pralle, Roughton, Schermer-
horn, Schlyer, Schmidt of Geary. Smith
of sherman, Tatum, WaggeneT, Will
liams of Stanton-S2.
Gentlemen voting in the negative
We're:
NIessrs. Adair. Adams sof Butler. Baird
Barker Barnd. Beeson. Bennington, Bill
lings Brandon. Bucklin, Brown of
Brown, Campbell of Meade, Chandler,
Croker, DOugherty, DOlley. Dunn,
Einsel. Emmons. Enright, Evans, Far
ris, Finley, Francis, F'riar. Gale, Cod
shalk, Goebei, Griffin, Hale. HaIIen-
beck, Hawkins, Hayden, Heusel. Hon
nell, Hugos. Hunter, HutCheson, jerks,
Johnson OF decatur, Johnson OF oHefl-
dan, Jones of Cove, Jones of Norton,
Jones of Trego, King of Ottawa, Kin
! KEEL. Kinnison. Kirkpatrick, Kost, Law.
Leland Lewis, Linton Lockwood. Mar
tin of Morton. Martin of Woodson. Nc
Kee of Clay Mckee of Marshall. Mead,
/ Murdock Mustoe, Nation, Nixon,
/ Parish. Peck, Robbins, Sarbach. Sims,
Speer. Starr. Stavely. Stubbs. Tanna-
! hill, Taylor. Upton, Tucker. Won Ire
bra, Watkins, Wilson, Woodhouse,
/ Wyckoff. and Mr.. Speaker Pringle-S2.
were:
.Messrs. Belts. Hill Jeffries. King of
Lane, Kramer, Mendenhau. Perkins of
! Wyandotte. Sharp, Weldon, Whistler,
Williams of Shawnee-11.