The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-01-06
SURPRISE IN THE SENATE
PsoSREssIvEs CAPTURE UPPER
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.
House Caucus Was Harmonious and
James N. HanIey OF Morton Was
Named for Speaker.

~ .Di Spcahtr VI tile MUSE Oh repre-
sentatives.
Hanley won out after n sharp con-
test in which six candidates were en-
tered. The progressive candidates
numbered five 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 II was seen there
was no hope in that direction. Frame
signed the progressive call, and the six
candidates entered, representing so of
the IS 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 IIanIcy by the deCis-
i've vote of 60 to Is.
Mr. Hanley was "A member Of the last
house. He is a 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
VI llle state.
The surprise of the session - far
was sprung when a few Of the young
members of the senate started n paper
and gathered In 90 names for a pro-
gressive republican caucus OF the sem
ators. IL was done so quietly that the
stalwarts did not realize what was on
until the thing was cinChed. The pro-
sressive strength today numbers 25,
enough TO control The stalwarts fig
ured they had a working majority. but
when Gilbert Of Cass and WEIGH of
Burieigh signed with the progressives.
the stalwart majority was no more.
Ihere are five democrats In the sem
ate. -Four of them were ready to come
IN with the progrcssivos II necessary.
AT the senate caucus the progres-
siVes controlled and the committee on
committees were named as follows:
steel OF Stutsman, Steele OF Renvile,
Bessessen of Wells, TaIcott Of Cass
ana Simpson OF Stark. The first three
named are progressivcs.
Senator McCumbcr and Congress
man Gronna Were here from Was hing
ton looking after their interests 4 re-
ception was held at the commercial
cIup 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.
me inaugural bah will he held on
Friday night, Jan. g.
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
or Wells, Talcott OF Cass and Simpson
OF stark. This committee will confer
| with the lieutenant governor on the an
polhtmeht OF all the senate commit
tees.
The committee on help was also ap-
pointed with the following members:
Gilbert OF Cass. Welch OF BurIeigh,
l.aMourc of Pcmbina. Martin of Bill
llngs and Gibbons Of Towner.
The balloting at the house caucus
was as follows:
First ballot-IIanley SO. Homness 90
rice ~ fraine II. Ployhar %. Sorlie
IL. the last name being dropped.
Second ballot-Hanley 50, Homness
%. Price 81 Frame ~, PIoyhar 20:
Ployhar being dropped.
Third ballot-HanIey 60. Hompess
=
eliminated on this count.
Fourth haIlot-HanIey "a uomros.
~. Price 80.
The nth and last ballot resulted In
decisive victory for Hanley with a
vote Of 60 TO IS.
This Is the first speaker to have been
elected from the west of the river sec
ton OF the state. the nomination beinp
nFHEtiHnllV nj
large majority OF the members repre-
scented In the caucus and the vote re-
ceived by Hanley Is a safe ma iorItv Of
the entire membership.
From the conversation about IN.
motel Hobbies there is general satisfac-
ton with the work OF the meeting and
the result OF the voting. There was no
other business transacted aside from
the nomination OF speaker.
Representative HanIey gave ont tho
iono"hs statement after receiving the
caucus nomination:
am very much gratifed at nv
nomination as speaker. / realize that
the duties of the office are Imnor,,,t
ana Tar reaching. and should be dis
charged vigorously and with absolute
harness. The people of the state are
expecting a fulhllment OF the Marty
pledges, and II shall be my active de-
sire and effort to see those sxpecta-
lions gratihed. and the evident ear
hesthess OF the members OF both houses
In organizing convinces me that such
VIII De the result. ! believe that party
promises should be kept and pledges
redeemed"
In the senate caucus the republican
PLATFORM as 1t was endorsed by the
party at the last election was declared
TO be the policy OF the senate for the
winter. and resolutions along the lire
OF rigid economy in the administration
or the business of the state this win
Ter was also adopted and two com.
mittees named.
Bow SeolIke "a.