The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-08
Governor Hanna Starts the
Senate Promptly.
GaveI Falls at Exactly the Hour
of Noon.
NEW SENATOR'S THERE
Three Who Take Unexpfred
Terms Sworn In.
Desks Of Two Who Died Draped
In Crepe.
20 HITCH IN PLANS.
Committee Named to Wait on
the Governor.
Mr.. Hanna Perpetrates a Joke
in Issuing Passes.

Just as the hands of the clock point
ed to the hour Of noon Lieutenant
Governor d. ]. Hanna mounted the
rostrum and called the senate to order.
A roll call showed that every one of
the forty senators was on hand.
A big crowd of their friends were on
hand also. There was hardly standing
room on the floor of the senate cham
Der and the galleries were filed to
their capacity. In the galleries were
many women and their gay garments
added the needed touches of color to
brighten up the scene.
There was just touch of gloom to
the opening of the senate. Three men
who were members of the body two
years ago, S. S. Benedict of Wilson,
Charles n. Peck of Concordia, and
Horace Smith of Ottawa, were not
present. The three senators had died
and the desks they occupied were
draped with white and black crepe
and on each stood a vase filed with
pink and white carnations and maiden
hair ferns.
After the senate had been called to
order the first business transacted was
the swearing in of three members who
were elected to the seats Of the deceas-
ed. These new members are Robert
son of Wilson, w. w. Caldwell Of
Cloud and Stannard of Franklin. The
oath OF office was administered to
them by Justice Burch of the supreme
court. A resolution offered by Senator
Stmons, which was adopted directed
the secretary of the senate to notify
the house of representatives that it
had organized and was ready for
business.
Senator Noftzger presented a con-
current resolution providing for the
appointment of committee of five,
three from the house and two from
the senate to walt upon the governor
and inform him that the legislature
was in session. This resolution passed
and Lieutenant Governor Hanna
named Senators Noftzger and Waggen-
er as the representatives of the sem
ate on this committee.
On resolution presented by Senator
Fitzpatrick and which was adopted,
Gov. Hanna named Senators Fitzpat-
rick, Caldwell, Smith, Hayden and
Hodges as q special committee to frame
a code of rules for the government of
the senate. Senator Stewart then pre- |
sented a resolution which was passed, |
providing that the old rules of the SEN |
ate shall prevail until new code is |
prepared.
authorizing the president of the senate |
to appoint a private secretary, a SER |
geant-at-arms and page for his own |
special use. This resolution was pass |
ed
Senator Hayden cut the first piece of
senatorial pie by offering a resolution |
allowing each senator 500 for postage.
I'D like to know If the senator from |
Nemaha is going to get a commission |
on these stamps?" queried Senator
NoftZger.
Not that I know Of" replied Sena-
tor Hayden, and then the resolution
was passed by an unanimous vote.
Senator Noftzger read off the list of
the persons named by the Republican
kr-s tel <.A., Ow-lTN H., 4 f1rl
the various positions in the senate, and
on his motion which was adopted, they
were formally elected by viva voce
vote.
A resolution presented by Senator
Young, and passed, fixed the meeting
hours of the senate at 10 a. m. and 2
p. m. each day. until otherwise ordered.
Under another resolution passed the
was instructed to have
telephones installed for the convenience
Of the senators.
Senator Porter, of Montgomery, was
recognized and called attention to the
fact that three men who were mem
bers of the senate two years ago had
departed this life. He moved that a
of three be appointed to draft
suitable resolutions and that as a fur
ther remark of respect the senate ad-
journ as soon as the preliminary details
Of organization had been perfected.
Senator .Noftzger stated that some
plans had already been made to take
suitable action on the deaths of the
hree senators and Senator Porter then
withdrew his motion.
Lieutenant Governor Hanna an
lounced the assignments that he and
Lieutenant Governor-eiect Fitzgerald
rad decided on for the more impor-
ant committees.
On a motion of Senator Quincy,
which prevailed the senate. after hav-
ng been in session for forty minutes,
ook recess until 3 o'clock this
lfternoon.
Keeps Within the Law.
In issuing passes to the floor of the
enate chamber Lieutenant Governor
,. ]. Hanna has tried to keep within
he confines of the new Interstate
commerce act. or that portion of it :
which prohibits the issuance of passes. ]
he was a trif1e skeDtical at first as to |
whether he would issue any passes at
Ill. But after getting the advice Of !
3alie Waggener and f. Dumont Smith |
md some other experts in railroad af-
airs, and who are we'll versed in the
'ass business, Governor Hanna issued | =
few passes. They are endorsed on :
he back Not good for any part of an y
interstate trip to the house. D. ]. H. :
The Governors Message. I
The senate reassembled at 8 o'clock c