The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-01-12
SMO0T HACKERS
WANT A CAUCUS
Trying to Get Republican Mem
bers Together "Wednesday.
OPPOSITION is IN NO HURRY
EVERYTHING READY FOR THE
MEETING OF LEGISLATURE.

Smoot men declare that a Republi-
can senatorial caucus will be held
Wednesday evening. They aver that
the senate Republicans will today ap-
point committee to confer toward
that end with the like committee al
ready appointed by the house But
the anti-Smoot men say there Will be
no caucus for several days, and per-
haps none at all.
Both sides are sparring for the adj
vantage. The strong SmOOt men want
the caucus at once, and the others are
I'm no hurry. They are awaiting de-
Velopments. Even il a caucus is fin
ally called, the prospects are that a
large proportion of the anti-Smoot
members will not go into it.
State Chairman James H. Anderson.
acting in Shoots interests. is bending
every effort to force a caucus at as
early a date as possible. He has
given il out that the senate Republi-
cans Will act favorably on the mat
ter today and that the caucus will
probably be Wednesday evening. But
some Of the senators think differently.
Says There Is No Hurry.
There's no hurry about a caucus, 8"
said one of them yesterday. 1--WE will
not begin balloting on senator in the
legislature until Tuesday of next
week. so it will be time enough if the
caucus is held Monday evening of next
week. This is a serious situation, and
there is no use acting hastily. | think
majority of the senator's feel that
they wish a little more light before
voting on the proposition"
Aside from this. there was little
change III the situation yesterday. The
SmoOt ranks seem 10 remain unbrOk-
en-.
Il don't know of a man who has
deserted" said Speaker-elect Thomas
Hull yesterday. land 1 think we have
had several additions. Without at
tempting TO say just how many men,
bers are for Smoot, 1 think il is safe
fly"
Workmen were busy in the city and
county building yesterday adjusting
flags. arranging desks and applying
feather busters. with the result that
the two legislative halls in which
Utah's solons are to make. mend and
mar statutes are in readiness for the
opening session Of the legislature at
noon today. When the finishing touch
IS were out to the arrangements the
TWO halls presented a spick and span
appearance, and William NJ. owen. the
Janitor under whose supervision the
last work was done, heaved sigh of
relief
Ready For the Legislature.
We're ready for EN-" he said grim
ly, and then his features relaxed into
smile of satisfaction as he gazed
upon the polished woodwork and shin
ing leather of the sumptuously fitted
senate chamber
The two houses will assemble at
noon today. the roll being called from
the certificates of election which are on
file in the Office of the secretary. of
state. A justice of the supreme court
Will then swear in the new members.
Ihen the legislature will exist in it's
sovereignty. Independent of all other
departments of the government.
Little work viii be attempted the first
day of the session. Each house will
elect its presiding officer and it's sal
AIRED subOrd mates the Republican ma
Jortty and tle Democratic minority
each taking turn in making nomina-
Mons. President-elect Allison of the
senate and Speaker-elect Hull of the
mousse viii then assume their duties
and announce their respective commit
tees on rules. The first business Of the
rules committees is to formulate a re-
port specifying what standing commit
tees OF each house are needed for the
transaction of business. After the
adoption of the reports several DAYS
hence. the committees will be appoint
ed. Pending the appointment there viii
De great scramble on the part of SEN
ators and representatives for the choice
assignments.
Governors Message a Long One.
Governor HAber NJ Wells message.
which will be delivered to the two
houses at Tuesday noon, will be a
lengthy as well as an important state
document. Although the states chief
executive has trimmed down depart-
ment reports and curtailed recon-
mendations TO the greatest extent con-
sistent with a comprehensive presenta-
ton Of what he has to say to the legis-
iature. his message contains about Ia
OO0 words enough 10 fill a small vol
ume. Nearly all the important prob
lens with which the legislature will
have to Wrestle during the session will
be mentioned. dealt with or anaIyzed
D. the governor. The question of irri-
cation legislation is expected to be
eXhausuveiy treated.
During the twenty-one months which