Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-01-12
LEGISLATURE HAS BIG
PLANS FOR SESSION

BOIuetulHB uViu5 IA PNA
The house Of representatives 10
composed Of membership Of one
hundred and twenty-five legislators.
fifty-three Of whom are Democrats
and the remainder Republicans ex-
cepting the one member from Scott
county who claims to be Independent.
The battles of the legislature VIII
not be fought on strict party lines
however. The Republicans are diVid-
ed and several Democrats are acknow-
lodged progressives who have inform
ed Governor Stubs that they VIII
support all progressive legislation,
regardless of where 1t originates.
william Allen White, the main
spring Of insurgency is strongly ad-
yocating the election of Robert stone
OF Topeka as speaker. Stone has
been in the legislature for a number
of sessions and is accredited with
belonging to the Insurgent faction
of the Republican party. Ex-SpeaKer
]. N. Dolley, who was the administra-
tion candidate, is out by reason OF
the failure of his constituency to re-
elect him to the legislature.
The senate Is a hold over body con-
sisting Of forty law makers and has
always been considered the conserve
tive branch Of the Kansas legisla-
lture. There will be, however, one
new face at this session. c. l.. Har-
ris of Butler county succeeds Sena-
tor Fremont Leidy, standpatter APP
pointed internal revenue collector by
President Taft recently. Harris is
labelled, unknown quantity"
Two years ago the senate was very
evenly divided, the stand pat wing
of the Republican party having slight
Ily the best OF the situation with the
balance OF power frequently in the
hands of the five Democratic men,
hers. There is no reason to believe
THAT there has been any great change
lin the situation over that OF the last
session and this condition further
complexities the situation SO far al
legislation is concerned.
Richard j. Hopkins who was elect
ed lieutenant governor and who Ii
Iby virtue of his office, the presiding
officer Of the senate is an insurgenl
of the most pronounced type. There
Is chance that his power Will be
greatly curtailed, and that he will b.
made a figure head around which
the legislation in this branch will
revolve.
Numerous conferences have beer
held by the members of the standpa
faction of the Republican party a
which the Democratic members wer'
invited.
II is said that Lieutenant Governo
Hopkins has been told that unless hi
APPOINTS the same .cpmmittees al
were named by his predecessor OF
names members acceptable to thu
senators, that he will not be permit
tied to name them at all.
The curtafling Of the power o.
Speaker Cannon of the Z nationa'
house was one Of the issues OF th'
recent campaign and the slogan wal
alike in the Kansas house. 1t Al
possible that this shearing OF poWel
process will be commenced at home
and that the senate and perhaps the
house of representatives will take
the power of naming Of committees
which has always been delegated tC
the speaker or presiding officer
from him.
In case this does happen and the
administration cannot consistently op
pose it, Governor Stubs and biz
friends will have been shorn Of much
OF their power
| It is the general opinion that
utility bill Of some kind will be pass
ed both parties having declared fol
it. But here again the individual
ideas Of the legislators may prevail
as bill Of this kind has been killet
number of times because the rep
resentatives from cities and small
towns believe that local utilities
should be controlled by local corpora
lions. An attempt WIN be made t.
amend the prohibitory law SO tina
liquors may be sold for medical pur
poses under a strict supervision, a
under the present conditions not
drop Of liquor can be purchase,
} legally in Kansas for any purpose
, whatever.
, The bank guaranty law will b
, amended so that time deposits vii
draw four instead Of three per cent
condition demanded by Mr.. Dole
, as well as many Of the state banker
: of Kansas. An attempt win be mad
} to pass a law compelling all col