The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-24
KANSAS COMMENT
MURDOCH ANprHE HOUSE RULES

MURDOCH ANDTHEHOUSE RULES
In Thursdays issue of The Leaven-
worth Times there appeared an ex-
cerpt from an article in the American
magazine from the pen Of Victor Muir.
dock. The editor Of this paper, as Will
every Kansan. read 1t with a great deal
OF interest. and looks forward to the
appearance of the other articles,whicn
the publishers of the American maya
zine announce are being prepared for
them by Congressman Murdoch.
In his first effort, though Victor
roasts the rules Of the house, it should
be mentioned in the interest of truth,
after which we are all seekers, that ne
himself voted to adopt these methods
of procedure against which he now
raises protest.
The writer of this editorial sat beside
Victor in the Republican caucus last
winter at Washington. Murdoch voted
with the others for the reelection OF
| Speaker Cannon, though previously, to
his constituents in Kansas, Vic" had
called the speaker tyrannical and the
rules un-American. We remember
| urging him to get up and make his
| fight on the floor Of the caucus. but he
replied:
mo, better not; it would ruin our
| chances OF getting a good committee.
Victor cast his vote just like a lamb
| for the speaker and for continuance
| OF the same rules that he had con-
| demned in Kansas. Only the voice OF
Cooper of Wisconsin was raised against
the re-adoption Of rules.
| Why is 1t that some congressman are
roaring lions at home and rabbits IN
| Washington? Victor should explain
this in his next magazine article.
Later in the session this spring cal
for a caucus Of the Republican mem
bers to revise the house rules was
passed around in Washington, and II
secured the names of two members o.
the Kansas delegation together wltr
those of fifteen other Republicans. Hac
fifty signers been obtained, the caucus
| would have assembled. but only seven
teen would go on record in the matter
The speaker is not responsible TO-
the rules in the house. He did not ever
suggest them. They were in existence
long before his name was ever men
toned in connection with the speaker
ship. If anyone is to be blamed. AM
the rules certainly need revision In SOM
respects. it is not the speaker OF TN
! house. but the Republican member
themselves who decline to declare 10
| a caucus for the purpose OF makinl
such Acknowledgement Times
) July "a.
LINED UP FOR STATE PRINTER
There isn't going to be any nistak
made in the state printer fight tnl
year. T. A. McNeal has made splen
) did off1cer. He has saved money o.
| the job. He has served one term D
| election and one term by appointment
, He says he's entitled to another terri
} by election. From his standpoint n
is correct Albert T. Reid, the onl
, really great newspaper artist west e
: the Mississippi is a candidate. He
! probably make as good state prfnte
) as Mr.. McNeal. He says McNeal ha
. had 1t long enough. He is right fro1
his standpoint. In addition to thes
candidates, w. c.. Austin, an abb
young man from Cottonwood Falls,
a candidate. He is a country edito
and a practical printer. He says n
ought to be elected for this reasol
He's right about it from his stand
y point. The Beacon is resolved
4 heartily support these three candidate
D for state printer and no others.
The question as. to Leland or Stubf
: for governor Is what the fans call
d close decision. Wichita Beacon.