Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-13
MADE ON ECONOMY
Iowa Legislature Proposes to Utilize
Clerks Where Needed.
POLITICAL HARMONY IN SIGHT
Five Contests To Be Heard, One I'm the
senate and the Others in the
HOuse--COntest I'm EIec-
tOraI College.
(From a Staff Correspondent

(From a Staff Correspondent
DIES MONIES, Jan. 12.-(Special)-The
house of representatives of the Thirty-third
Iowa general ASSEMBLY in it's opening ses-
sion made a stagger toward ret~renchment
With commendable motives Representa-
tive Arney of Marshalltown led the move
ment for keeping down the number of COM
mittee clerks and succeeded in getting es-
tablished the same rule as two years ago
that all clerks must pass an examination
and be subject to the demand Of any mem
Der of the house. The number was fixed
at thirty-eight, thirty for the republicans
and eight for the democrats. But while this
step was taken toward keeping down the
expenses of the state the house elected
thirteen assistant doorkeepers for the three
doors opening into that legislative chamber.
Then they consumed three-quarters of an
hour in a discussion whether the old MEM
bers should be given the privilege of re-
tanning their former seats, the outcome of
which was that it was decided all names
should go into the hat for a drawing.
There was strong evidence at the opening
session however that the business of the
session will not be impaired by political
factionalism and strife. Upon motion of
Representative Meredith of Cass county,
formerly a strong progressive" Represen-
soNANN u VI " bbhbuiN Nuulll hlpWH
as a "standpatter,'' was made temporary
chairman. The compliment was returned
when Representative Hacker Of Webster
(standpatter) offered the name Of Guy
Feely OF Waterloo (progressive) as the eau
Gus nominee for permanent speaker. The
democrats nominated for speaker Charles
Miller of Waverly, who, after the vote was
cast, made a motion to make It unanimous
for Feely. He was then appointed to assist
in escorting the new speaker to the chair.
Then Mr.. Feely in his address promised
that all men, regardless OF party, would
receive recognition and treatment on the
floor of the house equal from his hands.
Then Nels ]. Lee OF Emeet county (pro-
gressive) was made speaker pro tenn. Truly
there is appearance Of more political har-
mony in the Iowa house OF representatives
than for years. The lower house is well
organized to do good and rapid work II IL
is so inclined.
Contests for seats.
with the contest over organizations In the
two branche OF the Iowa legislature ended,
the interest now centers about the con-
tests of members from several districts
for seats in the legislature. There are
five contests in the house and one in the
senate.
Speaker Freely Is expected TO appoint the
committee on contests Immediately, that
they may get to work hearing the testi-
mony. He will appoint this committee pre-
ceding the other committees. In the senate
this committee cannot be named until the
senate is permanently organized. with
Lieutenant Governor Clarke in the chair,
next Thursday. In the senate the one con-
test is brought by A. F. N. Hamilton
against John Ream (democrat OF Ma
haska county. Nj. Hamilton is here, ready
to urge his claims before the contest COM
mittee.
One Of the most interesting fights be-
fore the house contest committee will be
the one from Clinton county. wherein Sid
D.. Robb (republican) will try to unseat Al
bert w. Kendall of Delmar. Mr.. Robb is
here and says he expects to stay right on
the field until the battle is fought out and
decided. Mr.. Kendall Is In his seat. Mr..
Robb's claim is that he was illegally
counted out by twenty-six votes. He as
serts that in four precincts in Clinton, over
100 ballots were thrown out by judges and
not counted. because the voter had placed
a mark in front OF the name Of William
II. Taft. The tickets were regularly voted
every other way. He contends this mark
should not destroy the ballot or disfran-
ebise the man who made II. II the con.
test committee and the house OF repre-