The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1911-01-06
SURPRISE IN THE SENATE
PRoeREssivEs CAPTURE UPPER
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY,.
House Caucus Was Harmonious and
James M. Hanlsy Of Morton Was
Named, for Speaker.

Bismarck.-James M. Hanley Of !
Mandan was the caucus nominee Mon
day for speaker Of the house Of repre-.
sentatives.
Hanley won out after sharp con-
test in which six candidates were en-
tered. The progressive candidates
numbered Ave and they had agreed
that they would go into caucus
and settle the matter so far as the
progressives were concerned. Major
Frame and General Williams were the
candidates Of the stalwart organization
but just as soon as 1t was seen there
was no hope in that direction, Frame
signed the progressive call, and the six
candidates entered, representing 80 of
the SO republicans in the house.
Each ballot eliminated the. low man,
and Sorlie, Ployhar and Frame dropped
out in the order named. The next bal
lot eliminated Price and the contest
between Hanley and Homnes resulted
In victory for Hanley by the decis-
i've vote of 60 to 49,.
Mr.. Hanley was member of the last
house. He Is rising young attorney
of Mandan, captain of the militia COM
pany at Dickinson, and won this year
after hard election in one of the stall
wart strongholds Of the state.
The surprise of the session so far
was sprung when few of the young
members Of the senate started a paper
and gathered in % names for pro-
gressive republican caucus of the SEN
ators. It was done SO quietly that the
stalwarts did not realize what was on
until the thing was cinched. The pro-
gressive strength today numbers rs,
enough to control. The stalwarts fig
ured they had a working majority, but
when Gilbert of Cass and WEIGH of
Burleigh signed with the progressives,
the stalwart majority was no more.
There are five democrats in the SEN
ate. Four of them were ready to come
IN with the progressives if necessary.
AT the senate caucus the progress
slves controlled and the committee on
committees were named as follows:
Steel Of Stutsman, Steele of Renville,
Bessessen of Wells, Talcott Of Cass
and Simpson of Stark. The first three
named are progressives.
Senator McCumber and Congress-
man Gronna were here from Washing
ton looking after their interests. A re-
ception was held at the commercial
club rooms Monday for the United
states senate nominees, which was at
tended by the members of both houses.
Messrs. McCumber and Gronna made
brief addresses.
The inaugural ball will be held on
Friday night, Jan. 6.
one of the committees named is to
confer with the lieutenant governor on
the appointment of committees and the
personnel is as follows: Steele of
Ward, Steele of Stutsman, Bessessen
of Wells, Talcott of Cass and Simpson
of Stark. This committee will confer
with the lieutenant governor on the ap-
po1ntment of all the senate commit
tees.
The committee on help was also ap-
pointed with the following members:
Gilbert of Cass, WEIGH of Burleigh.
LaMoure of Pembina, Martin of Bill
lings and Gibbons Of Towner.
The balloting at the house caucus
| was as fcAows:
First ballot-Hanley So, Homness 20,
Price %. Frame 81, Ployhar %, Sorlie
IL, the last name being dropped.
Second ballot-Hanley SO, Homness
81, Price ~, Frame "a, Ployhar 20;
Ployhar being dropped.
Third ballot-Hanley GO, Homness
80, Price 80, Frame "a; Frame being
eliminated on this count.
Fourth ballot-Hanley 73, Homness
A, Price 80.
The fifth and last ballot resulted in
a decisive victory for Hanley with a
vote of 60 to 1S.
This is the first speaker to have been
elected from the west of the river Sec
ton of the state, the nomination being
practically an election as there was a
large majority of the members repre-
scented in the caucus and the vote re-
ceived by Hanley is safe majority of
the entire membership.
From the conversation about tho
hotel Hobbies there is general satisfac-
ton with the work of the meetinp ana
the result of the voting. There was no
| other business transacted aside fror,
| the nomination Of speaker.
Representative Hanley gave ont the
following statement after receiving the
caucus nomination.:
1 am very much gratified at INV
nomination as speaker. I realize that
the duties of the office are important
and far reaching, and should be dis
charged vigorously and with absolute
fairness. The people of the state are
expecting a fulfllment of the party
pledges, and it shall be my active de-
sire and effort to see those expecta-
lions gratifed, and the evident ear
nestness of the members of both houses
IN organizing convinces me that such
VIII be the result. believe that party
promises should be kept and pledges
redeemed"
IN the senate caucus the republican
platform as it was endorsed nv tho
party at the. last election was declared
to be the policy of the senate for the
winter, and resolutions along the line
or rigid economy in the administrator
OF the business of the state this win
ter was also adopted and two COM