The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-03
Democrats viii Sit on Sunny
Side of Legislative Halls.
Old Custom to Be Followed by
the VictOrS.
AFTER THE LEAN YEARS
Will Be Horde of Seekers After
Office.
Hodges Going to Texas-NOt
Believed Be Contest.

For the first time in many, many
/ years the Democrats will this winter
SIT on the sunny side Of the house and
senate. 1t is an old, old custom in
Kansas legislative organization that
the minority party draws the seats
nearest the North pole, while the
majority party is awarded the nice
warm upholstered chairs near the
south windows and the vent pipes.
And this winter the Democrats viii
claim title to the warm seats.
Two years ago James w. Orr,
Iron Jaw" w. L. Brown, and the SO
other Democratic members of the
! house were given the revolving chairs
just as near the north windows an
Speaker Buckman could place them
| over on the south side the Republicans
enjoyed the occasional sunshine and
toasted their feet by the radiators
But the Democrats didn't complain.
Perhaps they were glad to get seats
in the house under any conditions OF
servitude and they made the most of
the situation.
In the senate the four lone Demo-
Gratis were seated just where they
would receive the benefits of the north
winds that filtered through the win
dows of the senate chamber. To be
sure there is only one of the old
Democratic crop returned to the sem
ate, but he is REINFORCED by 20 more
Democrats. And every one of them
will claim homestead or squatter right
to the warmest of the 40 cushions.
Senator Milton of Wyandotte is the
only Democrat of the 1907-11 crop
who has been returned. But Millions
four years of former service has
taught him which is the warm and
which is the cold side of the hall and
he will be the bell wether to lead his
flock to a spot where their teeth Will
not chatter when the thermometer hits
the toboggan. On the other hand
Price, Carey. Stillings, Stavely. Huff
man, Overfeld and Denton must sur
render their old seats and take a
place where overcoats are welcome
company on a cold day.
That is one of the joys of change
in the administration. But that is not
all. .,-s-f..-+
When the legislature is organized.
the Democrats by virtue of their ma
jority in both houses win control 80
per cent. of the patronage. In the
senate they will probably appoint a
committee on committees to relieve
Lieutenant Governor Sheffield ingalls,
of the burden. of naming the ap-
pointees. The committee on commit
tees will hardly neglect to give the
Democrats the very best committee
appointments A committee on en-
ployees will not only inspect the Gre
dentials of every applicant for a
clerkship or candidate for assistant
superintendent of ventilation, but the
due worry and trouble if he cannot
produce a record of arduous work and
faithful service for Kansas Democracy.
For it must be remembered that there
have been many lean years for Kansas
Democrats and the very best that the
state patronage affords in the coming
session will be none too great a re-
ward for the party whose faith, hope
and patience have enabled them to
await the coming festivities.
Senator George H. Hodges, governor
elect will go to Texas for two weeks
vacation before beginning his pre-
Iiminary work surrounding the taking
over of the governorship of the state.
It is probable that while in Texas.
Hodges will write his inaugural address.
But that will be the only official exer-
else of the trip.
Almost since the day of election,
Hodges has been buried with applica-
tions for positions. These applicants
have come in person and by proxy.
Those who were unable to visit Hodges
personally or to send a representative.
have flooded the Olathe mans mail with
reuuests for jobs. Almost every voting
precinct in the state has furnished one
or more candidates for positions. At
least half Of these applicants want good
places jobs that pay well and not sur
rounded by the formality of too much
real labor Other candidates have been
less discriminating. Many were willing
to take anything. apparently, that
might be offered or suggested Their
desire seemed to hinge on the glory
and honor of receiving a monthly pay
check from the state, no matter how
small the pay.
1t is this trouble Of dividing thu
it is claimed, that is largely
responsible for Hodges seeking a hasty
vacation at this time and leaving no
address with the Olathe
postmaster. So far. there has been no
Indication from Hodges as to the men
who may land the really good appoint
ments. But for each good job there are
several willing and enthusiastic ap-
plfcants However. it appears that
Hodges will leave the patronage ques-
ton until the last minute.
Even though Capper might contest
Hodges election and win the guberna-
torial chair by virtue of a recount Of
the votes, there would be but little
honor or satisfaction in the victory. In
the few months that Hodges must
necessarily hold the job, the legislative
session will be held. Backed by a Dem
ocratic majority in both houses, Hodges
would win and merit the credit for a
arge portion of the legislation.
That is not all. One of Hodges first
officials acts. according to HIS own
statement, win be to remove a number
If present state house appointees. Chief
among these is ]. N. Dolley state bank
With the removal of
Dolley. would come changes in the Of
ices of live stock commissioner oil in
mission, utilities commission and
t1.w, IN, 1fr7f1r.