The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-27
ARE SAD INDEED.
Senate Minority Has ItsThunder
Stolen.
Hodges Massachusetts, Election
Bill Sidetracked.
COMMITTEE HAS ONE.
Indications Are That 1t Will
Be Passed.
Senator Travis Takes Another
Slap at Bank Commissioner.

Theres is anguish today in the little
minority circle in the senate because
the elections committee stole the Dem
ocratic campaign ammunition and
moulded it into an administration
measure when it, switched Hodges
massachusetts, ballot law for commit
tee Dill Incorporating the same princi-
pies.
Ihls alteration of legislative gar
hlenls was made Thursday afternoon
"nen the elections committee met RI
consider a bunch of bills and conc,,,-
t teIiI resolutions. The Massachusetts,
alio. Jaw was travelling nicely until
que OF the members conceived the
double jointed idea that several nara
graphs should be amended; and later
tnat the bill should be SO shaped thar
II would be reported as a COMMITTEES
measure IN substitution for the original
IurIlisheo Dy the senator from Johnson
, uoun.y. rms report was made this
morning on the floor of the senate.
1t is possible that the minority win
try to restore the identity of the bill.
put their five votes will not count
nuch among the 80 senators attending
TINS session. Under the present condi-
IONS the Dill will go on record as an
administration act, should it be adopt-
ed; and the Democrats are roth. Ons
OF the principal changes made in the
dodges Dill was in regard to the section
covering campaign advertising. The
substitute measure, though, is very
similar to the original and the minority
members are not proud of the change
Some day they may square thinos
When that bill is finally placed on the
calendar and considered in the commit
tee of the whole, these five energetic
democrats will try to convert a few
votes among the fumigated Repub-
licans and. aided by that faithful rom
edy. the Stannard resolution, will en-
deavor to defend their rights and title
to properly credited legislation. 1t g
the Stannard resolution that permits Of
three roll calls on any measure in the
committee of the whole. A most ef-
fective remedy, under certain condi-
tons. - +
The real text of the substitute bill
is in strict conformity with the Hodges
bill. Like the Democratic document.
it removes the bald eagles, circles, dom
Keys and other designs and emblems
from the ballot and places -the~candi-
dates for each once in the same col
umn under single line head. stating
the name of that ofice.
Senator F. L. Travis bill which was
introduced Thursday would make the
office of bank commissioner, elective
anu CuItdIi the patronage OF the gov
ernor by lengthening the present bal
lot rather than by shortening it. The
senator from Travis is not a firm be-
lever in the new doctrine that the
governor should appoint a large per
cent of the state officials and he would
willingly clip the wings of the chief ex-
ecutive and remove some of his pres
| ent power.
| This is the second slap the lola man
has taken at the bank commissioners
Office SINCE the 1911 session opened
A week ag6 he offered resolution
which would relieve w. T. Watson Of
his responsibilities as an assistant in
the commissioners Office or separate
him from his seat in the legislature
It would also affect several other leg
islators now holding state appoint
ments; and there is some chance fol-
the measure to find place in the next