The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-03
LEGTsI.ATTVE FOILY.-

As was pointed out in the news
columns of this paper recently a ma
Jority of the members of the legisla-
ture, but more particularly a majority
of the members of the house of rep
resentatives made up of the Democrats
and sufficient number of Republi-
cans, have taken special delight in
the closing days of the session to
either kill or seriously MAIN any
legislation that has had the earmarks
of having the endorsement of "the ad-
ministration," or Governor Stubbs, to
speak more directly. Especially is
this true of legislation which would
ordinarily creae or provide places to
be filled by gubernatorial appoint
ments.
In taking this action the members
OF the legislature are making sorry
spectacles of themselves. OF course,
the Democrats may be pardoned for
their activities in this line by those
who place politics above policies.
From this standpoint it is all right
for the Democratic legislators to do
what they can to place a Republican
administration" in the hole or tie it's
hands. But the Republicans who are
parties to this movement are COM
mitting political suicide. Evidently
they are not wise enough to realize
this but the day of reckoning will
come with them and they will be
counted among the missing.
The people of the state showed by
their votes at the last election that
they are with Mr.. Stubbs and his
policies for an honest and efficient
conduct of the government of the
state. They will continue to be with
him despite the apparent desires of
the members of the legislature to do
everything possible to defeat any
legislative plan which smacks of the
ideas of the governor. His position
on these questions has not changed
one hairs breadth. He made this
known recently in his forceful special
to the legislature. He has
used such honorable means as have
been at his disposal to bring about the
which he deems to be
necessary for proper solution of the
affairs of state. The people have al |
ready expressed themselves as being
in accord with these plans They
elected a legislature which they had
every reason to believe was largely |
composed of men of the same |
opinions. In this they seem to have |
been mistaken. The failure of the
to enact desirable legisla-
ton on numerous important questions |
Of general consequence will not |
olacken an eye of the popularity of |
Mr.. Stubbs with the people. The |
voters of Kansas are an Intelligent |
ot- If Mr.. Stubs administration is |
not able to accomplish much in the |
way of needed reforms during the
next two years the people will not ?
he blame on the governor They
know where the responsibility will
belong. They will re-elect Mr. Stubbs
md they will provide him with a
legislature which will do their bid
ling.
This talk that is going the rounds
If the possibility and desirabfIity of /
/ special session would seem to in
licate that the members of the
legislature have awakened up to
hese apparent facts. They show an
Inclination to change their minds on
'arious legislative propositions If they
lave a chance. Perhaps it will be
siven to them, but if they are honest
n their intentions they can find way
n the next few days to undo a lot of
he thoughtless, or worse things than
hey have done.