Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-12-28
The IOWA LEGISLATURE
Review OF Iowa Political Situation
by Special Correspondent at
the Capital.
GUARDIANSHIP OF COMMITTEES
Probability of Three COrnered Con-
test i'm Selection of Senator,
State Officials and e.
Committees.

Des Moines, Ia, Dec. 27.-With
the approach of the legislative as
sembly there appears to be little
prospects of republican harmony on
the senatorial proposition. Present
indications are that regulars will re-
fuse to go into a caucus on the the
ory that since the primary system
has been established in this state a
primary should be held to decide up
on the successor to the late Senator
J. p. Dolliver. Democrats are plan
ming to take advantage of the situa-
tion to barter support for the pri-
mary upon the condition that it be
the Oregon plan. However, when 1t
becomes apparent that senator
cannot be named by this general as
fsembly it is believed the progress
sive republicans will unite with the
regular republicans for special
primary election on the same plan
that the regular election is now
held.
Relative to the selection of speak
er in the house, democrats are also
figuring on securing considerable
advantage. 1t is understood among
politicians here that at a conference
held by numerous progressive can
didates for the speakership a COM
pact was entered into whereby Paul
Stillman of Greene county, will be
the progressive candidate for the
position and other aspirants of that
faction have been satisfied by an
allotment of important committee
chairmanships. 1t is also believed
that before the session convenes the
regular republicans will also have
decided upon a single candidate for
the speakership. When the forces
line up the democrats hope to gain
legislative strength in the organiza-
tion of the house. 1t is understood
the leaders, certain of the impos-
sibility to elect a democratic speak
er, will trade votes to that faction
Of the republican party from which
the minority can gain the greatest
advantage in the Legislative organi-
zation. Because or condition
democrats are hopeful of securing
more committee chairmanships than
they have ever had in an Iowa
legislature.
Another interesting situation in
which the democrats seem to be
finding considerable qualification
arises in the senate where the reg
ular and progressive republicans are
evenly divided. OF course this will
not effect the selection of committee
Chairmen for such is made in the
upper house by the president of the
senate, Lieutenant Governor George
Clarke. But is devolves upon the
senate to approve a large number
of appointments to be made by the
governor. The fact that there is
a possibility of the progressives en-
barrassing the governor by refus-
ing to vote for his appointees, unless
they be progressives, is indicated by
the attitude assumed by this faction
during the last general assembly
when progressives refused 10 vote
Tor the appointment of any man as
O successor TO John Cownie as men,
Der of the state board of control. AS
a result of this attitude no appoint
ments. was made and Mr.. Cownie
held over in his Office until he re-
resigned. Accordingly democrats are
hopeful of securing considerable
support for some measures by sup
porting the governors appoint
ments. OF course. this is merely
democratic hope which may possib-
ly be blasted by the presence of har-
mony among the republican mem
bers when the legislature convenes.
Members of the legislature as
sembled in the city are discussing
the prospects of selecting a successor
to the late Senator j. p. Dolliver.
In view of the objection that has
been raised by many to the special
mid winter primary because it would
be both expensive and inconvenient
to the farm element Ii has been sug-
gested by some members that the
matter of senatorial selection be
submitted at regular June primary
and that this legislature take a re-
cess to next August, when it should
reconvene without expense TO the
state to appoint as senator that man
who is designated at the primary
as the choice of the people. This
plan is being fully discussed and
seems to be meeting with consider
able favor.
Unless a custom that has long
been established in connection with
the appointment of committee chair
men in the senate is broken there
will be no radical dictatorship on
the board of Lieutenant Governor
Clarke. 1t has long been a rule
that the ranking member on the
committee shall be promoted to the
chairmanship of that committee,
and Mr.. Clarke in past sessions has
held very closely to that rule. This
being true the chairmanships to the
more important COMMITTEES will in
all probability be distributed as fol-
lows:
Ways and Means-J. A. Smith OF
Usage.
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