The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-12
Caucus Develops No
Ill Feeling.
QUIET IN THE SENATE
Senator e. F. Porter Elected
President Pro Tenn.
Contest for Secretary Won by
z. E. Wyant.


was broken yesterday evening when
the Republican members of the house
and senate met in caucus to select
nominees for presentation at the cleo
ton of officers at the opening session
today. In the house the following Of
ficers were chosen by the dominant
party:
Speaker N. DoI1ey. wabaunsee.
Speaker pro tem-R J. Hopkins,
Finney.
Chief clerk-w. M Beck, Jackson.
Assistant chief clerk-Charles Bril-
hart. Elk
ergeant-at-arms ms-D. B. Dyer,
Smith.
Assistant geant-at-arms-G. G.
Harmon. Leavenworth.
Doorkeeper-W. P. wilcox. Shaw
nee.
Postmaster-N. A. Trigg, Miami.
Chaplain-Rev. J. A Renwick,
Shawnee.
w. L. Cunningham of Cowley called
the caucus to order. w. T: Watson Of
Allen nominated A. c. Mitchell of
Douglas as chairman of the caucus
The nominations were closed and
Mitchell was elected by acclamation
and Watson and Buckman delegated to
escort the new chairman to his place.
The selection was a wise one as Mr..
Mitchell handled several lively situa-
tionS, noticeably the storm of motions
sistant ergeant-at-arms, in veteran
style.
Sam b Haskins was elected secre-
tary and Harry Brighton of Montgom-
cry as assistant secretary.
The speakership prize went to j. n.
Dolley, leader of the stress of battle in
the last campaign, without protest.
1t was an honor we'll earned and hon
estly won by the sage of Maple Hill.
Richard J. Hopkins, the young rep
resentative from Garden City, was
chosen speaker pro tenn without op-
position. The young man from the
sugar beet country gives every promise
of making a fine record this session.
Beck and Brilliant were also elected
by acclamation, but when it came to
the selection of a sergeant-at-arTns
there was q difference of opinion that
required three ballots for choice be-
tween four candidates:
First ba1lot-Dyer, 20; Berry, Is;
Harmon, IA; CleVenger, II.
Second ballot-Dyer, So; Berry, %;
Clevenger, IS.
Third baIlot-Dyer, 4s; Berry, go.
On motion of Berry man the cleo
ton of Dyer was made unanimous
Five men were nominated for assist
ant Sergeant-at-armS as follows: Frank
Mathers, G.. G. Harmon, J. E. Huston,
Clarence Quinn and Levi Leaf. Han
non won with 43 votes out of IS on
the first ballot.
For doorkeeper NJ. L. Richman, w.
P. Wilcox and H. M. Lester were can
didates, Wilcox receiving So votes on
the first ballot.
w. A. Trigg for postmaster received
So votes to 20 votes for Mrs. E. G..
Ferguson.
For assistant postmaster Della
Layne, Vincent Robb, Amy Brown,
Mrs. E. g. Ferguson and Miss Nell
Fox were candidates, the first named
winning the place on the first ballot
with II votes.
Before the caucus adjourned it was
7
that Chairman Mitchell and Secretary
Haskins hold over in their respective
offices at the opening of the session
today. ay.
/: ORGANIZATION OF SENATE. ::
: Pres. Pro Tem-Senator E. F.
: Porter. Pittsburg.
: Secretary. E. Wyant, Waverly.
+: Sergeant-at-Arm I. Swal- +:
: low, Valley Falls.
: Chief keeper-George Mohl- :
: er, Maple Hill.
+: Chap1ain-Rev. w. H. Underwood, :
PostmasterMH. E. Hanback,. Bax-
: ter Springs.
1t would be difficult to imagine a
more harmonious caucus than that or
the Republican senators held in the
senate chamber late Monday after
noon when the organization of that
body was effected. There was not a
ripple of unpleasantness or contention
TO disturb the placid serenity of the
occasion and only the good nature of
the law makers and the fact that
there was more than one candidate
for each office to be filled. prevented
the proceedings from becoming mono
tonous The positions of president
pro tenn and chief door keeper were
each settled with one ballot; three
votes were necessary to decide upon
the chaplain. and the rest of the Of
fcers were decided on the second at
tempt. There were no less than five
candidates for the position of guiding
the moral and spiritual welfare of the
senate, and the same NUMBER or can
didates were anxious to handle the
senator's mail, four of the latter be-
ing women.
There was an approach to an ar
gument during the early part OF the
Salina. suggested that the caucus make
its selections by roll call, a suggestion
which was promptly voted down. Sen
ator Quincy. however. indicated that
marked after his motion had been
suuelched that he didn't have any
idea it would be carried" On another
occasion. Just before the close of the
nroceedings, there was an indication
that something interesting might be
started, when Senator j. H. StaveIy of
Usage county moved that the presi-
dent pro tenn appoint committee of
eight-one from each congressional
district-to select the minor ap-
nointees of the senate. Two amend
ments to this motion were voted down.
however and the caucus adjourned
without a tiff There We're 80 of the
"a Republican senators present
Senator Porter called the caucus to
order and on motion he was made chair
man. Senator H. E. Ganse, of Burlfng-
Continued on Page Esht.)
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