The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-08
J. Il. Burrow Calls the House TO
Order.
c. E. Denton, New Secretary of
State, at His Side.
MEMBERS SWORN IN.
One Representative Refuses to
Take the Oath.
Mr.. Simmons Is Formally
Elected Speaker.
DEMOCRATS NOMINATE
HI. q. Thompson, Their Candi-
date, Gets 80 Votes.
Organization Of the Body Is
Soon Completed.
One Representative Refuses t.
Take the Oath.
Mr.. Simmons Is Formally
Elected Speaker.
DEMOCRATS NOMINATE
HI. 3. Thompson, Their Candi
date, Gets 80 Votes.
Organization Of the Body /
Soon Completed.

At IL minutes past IL o'clock Secre-
tary of State j. R. Burrew called the
house to order with the customary
formula about 1.-The day and the hour
having arrived" The big clock at the
back of the speakers desk belied the
statement. for it registered IL o'clock
and the hands didn't move unless the
sergeant at arms moved them by main
strength.
The members of the house occupied
the seats in the center of the house,
and the chairs at the side were well
filled with visitors. Many of the wives
of state officers were in attendance
There were about 100 people in the
balcony.
on the speakers dais with Secretary
Burrow was Secretary of State-elect
c. E. Denton.
while prayer was offered by Rev. ]. P.
De Bevers Kaye of the Grace cathe-
dral Episcopal church.
Then commenced the tedious pro-
cess of swearing in the members and
having them sign the roll. The mem
bers were called to the front of the
hall in companies of IS, according to
their representative districts. The
oath of office was administered oy
Chief Clerk d. Z. Wilson, who hadn't
yet been elected, except at the Repub-
iican caucus. supervised the signing of
the roll.
wouldn't Take Oath.
When the second consignment OF rs
had been sworn, c. T. Neihart Of the
Thirty-sixth district, whose home Is
Carbondale, Usage county, held up his
hand to Judge Johnston, and said,
Affirmation, please" Judge John
IN NiahaTt
longer and more picturesque legal af-
frmation, closing "and this you do,
under the pains and penalties of per-
Jury" When he finished, Mr.. Mel
hart said in a clear, distinct voice, Il
do"
Mr.. Neihart said later in speaking
of his refusal to take an oath:
81 took a course in moral philosophy
and ethics once, and I have religious
scruples against the oath. l am not
Quaker. In taking an oath, a man
asks God to condemn him, and It
seems to me that mans word ought
to be good enough to stand by itself.
1 have taken. a few oaths in my life,
but not very often" Mr.. Nethart was
a student at Kansas university and Is
one of the best looking young men in
the house.
After the members were all sworn in,
with the exception of D A Warren
of Linn county who was absent, the
house elected c. B. Kirkland of Saline
to the office of temporary speaker. C.
S. Stannard, Cyrus Leland and J. w.
Creech, the three defeated candidates
for speaker, were appointed as COM
nittee to escort Mr.. Kirkland to the
chair.
W. Y Morgan nominated J. 8. Sim
mons of Lane for speaker.
Michael Sweeney of Pawnee county
nominated H. S. Thompson Of Reno
county Thompson is the man select
ed by the Democratic caucus this
morning
The vote on speaker was. Simmons
"a. Thompson 80 D. A. Warren absent.
Morgan of Reno were appointed to
escort Mr.. Simmons to the chair.
Simmons Takes Charge.
Mr.. Simmons thanked the house for
his election. He said:
'It is my Idea that the speakers
office is important, but I do not con-
slider it my policy to direct the course
OF legislation. 1t is not my duty to re-
feet my personal views in the appoint
ment of committees. I shall appoint
committees who are best able to per-
form the duties of their positions.
cannot see that this session is any more
important than any other session, but
realize that important work is to be
DONE"
The house applauded. and w r.
St1bbs said in a stage whisper, That's
all right"
chief Justice w. A Johnston then
administered the Oatn OF speaker TO Mr..
Simmons
The other OFFICERS of the house were
then nominated and elected by the fol-
lowing vote:
For speaker pro tem-Cunningham "a.
Davis 80.
For chief clerk-D. Y. Wilson by ac-
c1amation.
For rgeant-at-arms-Dyer by accla-
nation
For chief doorkeeper-w. P. Wilcox
by acclamation.
For postmaster and assistant-W. A. |
Trigg and John c. Misse.
For chaplain-Rev. J. NJ Whitehead |
s. Rev. Chas. Finch %.
Mr.. Finch was not placed in nomina- |
ton. but a number OF the Democrats |
demanded a roll call and voted for |
Finch.
House Adjourns to $3.50.
House resolution No. I was offered |
by Frank Pomeroy. and provided for |
the temporary adoption of the rules |
OF the last house. The resolution was |
adopted.
House resolution No. was offered |
by c.. B. Kirkland and provided for |
the notification of the senate that the |
house is ready for business. !