The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-02
WILLIS HEDGES +.
TO Be SPEAKER
REPUBLICANS HAVE BOTH
BRANCHES OF LEGISLATURE.
Changes in Every Department of State
! Save the Office of Governor Repub-
licans to Caucus for the Successor to
Gibson in the Senate on Thursday.


Helena. Mont, Jan. 2.-Willis Hedges of Fer
gus county agreed upon in caucus last
night as the candidate Of the, republicans for
speaker OF the house of the ninth legislative
assembly, which convened here today. MIR.
Hedges was chosen over A. J. Bennett of Madi-
son county by a vote of 80 to IL. The other
officers selected We're as follows:
Speaker pro tenn, Mr.. Bennett; chief clerk,
Nathan Godfrey; assistant r. Il. Gray; engross-
ing clerk, Mrs. Frank Higgins; enrolling clerk,
Mrs. s. ]. Keerl: sergeantat-arms, William Hous-
ton; assistant, H. NJ. Race. '.,s:
At caucus of the republican senators these
officials today were selected: Secretary, G. o..
Wright Of Great Falls; assistant, James Shoe
maker of Helena;= sergeant-at-arms, Duncan Nc
Donald of Helena: assistant, Martin Leech OF
Butte. The democrats also held a caucus, W. NJ.
Johnston Of Billings being named for the speak
ershp or minority floor leadership, -
The cLief. interest in the legislative assembly
is found In the vacancy on March 4 next caused
by the expiration OF the term Of United States
Senator Paris GbsonA (dem. y. Thomas H. Car
ter of Helena is the lending and in fact is the
only prominent candidate mentioned. There are
vague rum0rs ,yafoat that a determined fight
will be lnadenagainst him by a few EdIsgruntled
republicans, democrats and the -Heinzeesselement
campaign last fall and his party won ia inagnii-
cent victory and as The sates,s supposedly pre-
pared by him. were carried thfuss both houses
without serious opposition, 1t SCI ems certain
that he will receive the caucus nomiha ton.
Caucus on Thursday. ], y
The caucus on the senatorship will be held
Jan. s and the Carter men assert that he will re-
Eceive practically unanimous vote, only two
members being regarded doubtful Tire legis-
Flature lis republican by eight on joint ballot.
l. OtGer3 ma tiers to receive considera ton by the
flegisla taGe will be the fellow serYant law, the
2initiatiye and referendum measure. a primary
ELECTION law and a railroad commission bill.
|. State Officers Inaugurated.
The statehouse was the scene of great activity
today, changes being witnessed in every depart
ment save that of the gubernatorial chair, into
which Joseph X Toole was indicted for the third
time Chief Justice Brantley administer the
oath. Earlier in the day Henry N: Blake of
Helena who had been appointed by the court,
was installed supreme court commissioner,
succeeding Lew Galloway. resigned.
A. N. Yoder relieved George NJ Hays as Sec
rotary OF state. Albert Galen succeeded James
lieutenant governor, presided over the senate
Colonel J. II. Rice took possession of the state
million or more dollars; Harry R. Cunningham
assumed charge of the auditors office; James
! T. Athey replaced Henry Rickerts clerk of the
supreme court, and W. E. Harmon was installed
as Superintendent Of public instruction.
Shortly after his Inauguration Governor Toole
proceeded to the house of representatives, where
he delivered his annual message to the legisla
tors, who had met in joint assembly. The gov
called attention to the necessity of a. pri
mary election law and urged action along the
lines mapped out in the platform of both par
ties, which include railroad commission militia
tive and referendum and an adequate fellow
servant law. Both houses then adjourned unit
tomorrow.
Increase in Receipts.
State Auditor Calderhead has submitted his bi
ennial report to Governor Toole, which show
that the receipts in the insurance department tn
past year were in excess of the showing mad
the preceding year. Owing to the fact that tn
legislature changed the end of the insuranc
year to the last day of the calendar year, an ex
act comparison between the two years cannot b
made.
In 1908, the first year under the change tn
total receipts Of the department $50, sol.
For 1904 the total receipts were $79,351, fror
the following sources: Filing charters and ex
amning first papers. $4,000; filing annual stat
ments, 1925; issuing agents certificates
81 ,155; license to collect premiums, s61 OH.