The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-23
LIKELIHOOD OF A DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
INCREASING
BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.

BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Jefferson City, Mo-, Feb. 2.-Until the con
troll of the House is definitely decided there
Is not much prospect for legislation on thu
most important measures now before ths
lower branch of the Assembly. The issue.
have been drawn so that either the majority
of the Democrats or the combination of ain
surgents' and Republicans must settle the
score and that right soon.
Undoubtedly the test vote will come or
the proposition to increase the membership
OF the Text Book and Worlds Fair com
mittees There is little likelihood of text
book legislation until the committee having
charge of the subject Is controlled by one
OF the two factions. Increase the committee
and the Fflipinos must retreat. Leave the
mel membership as II Is at present, with Dolan
and Farley combining with the Republicans,
and nothing can be DONE
III the amendment to the House rules fails
to pass, there is no doubt that there will be
Democratic caucus. Chairman Davidson
said last night that the caucus would be
together.
II this thing is not party question" he
said. we will make it one. l for one do not
House."
At the bottom Of the trouble lies the feel
ing against the American Book Company.
book trust is back Of the dilatory tactics
OF the combination. They say that. If the
Governor appoints the commission to make
new contracts, there will be competition
for the adoption of books which will give
fair opportunity to every publisher.
FARLEY ACCUSED OF DELAYING.
If the Gardner bill prevails. 1t is no
secret that Attorney General Crow will bo
the balance OF power in the new commits
sion; Gardner proposes that the Superin-
tendent of Schools, the Attorney General
and PROFESSOR Kirk of Kirksville shall con-
stitute the commission: The Governor
would not be responsible. in fact. for the
work of the commission. though the ad-
ministration would be compelled to ac-
cept the results of any contracts which
such commission might make.
Mr.. Farley has introduced bill nam
ing the books which should be bought
SAID Mr. Davidson. II notice that of those
he names, all but one are furnished by
publishers other than the American Book
Company. If the Gardner commission is
named. and the Farley bill passed, the
40 per cent OF books now used in the State
and not furnished by the American Book
Company will probably be contracted for
from this concern.
''Mr. Farley has said much about impos-
ing tag OF $4,000 on the people Of his
bill Is appointed by the Governor That is
strange. for some of the strongest letters
which 1 have received on the subject have
come from Platte County. Every one of
these protest against failure to legislate
II we fan to pass a law, the old system
OF districts selecting their own book will
prevail and the prices will be increased.
Farley and his friends are evidently trying
to prevent legislation. The responsibility
must rest with them"
HOPE FOR FRIENDS OF ALUM.
But there are other matters than text-
book legislation before the Assembly. There
,s,,i Is a wel-iounded report that the Senate
amendment to be offered by Senator Rubey.
providing that all cans of baking powder
suaA De iabsied with the common English