Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-01-02
ILLINOIS TO HOLD
CENTER Of STAGE
Legislature Has Two Senators to
Elect and No Party Has
a Majority.

next month. with two United States
senators to be elected under the first
democratic State administration in 20
years. with band OF &c Legislators from
the Progressive party fighting republ-
cans and democrats and no party holding
a majority in either house or on joint bal
lot, 1t seems certain that the ISth general
assembly which will be called to order
January will become one of the most |
notable that has met at Springfield
Not only Is a deadlock in connection
with the senatorship almost a certainty |
In Illinois, but bitter contest over or
ganzation of the Legislature Is said to
be imminent.
Wisconsin has mapped out a Compre-
hensive program of Social betterment"
legislation for the year 1918. Efforts to |
establish system OF rural credits to aid |
farmers, a system of land colonization |
that will make possible "the-ba ok to-the- |
land movement for the man with little |
money. mothers pension plan, and a |
minimum wage bill are few # the |
measures that will be considered.
Besides Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, |
Nebra ska, South Dakota. Minnesota and
Kansas will elect United States sena
tors.
Indications point to the election from
these seven States OF four republican
senators, at least two and possibly three
democrats and one progressive Illinois
may choose two democrats or name one
| democrat and republican or other party
members to fill the short term opened by
the refusal of the United States Senate
! to consider William Lorimers election
valid.
In Michigan william Alden Smith,
republican, has declared that he is
certain of election. Iowa is slated tn
return to Washington, William $.
Kenyon, republican. Nebraska will
name George W. Norris. progressive
In South Dakota, Thomas Sterling, re-
publican primary nominee, may be
opposed by Senator Robert J. Gamble
In Minnesota, the return of Senator
Knute Nelson seems assured. In Kan
sas. 1t is expected that Judge w. II.
Thompson, democrat, will he elected
to succeed Senator charles Curtis.
/ In Ohio, Governor-olect James NJ Cox
will attempt to limit the Legislative ses-
sion to so or 90 days. Acts for the valida-
ton of the new Ohio constitution will
take up much Of the time Of the legisla-
tors.
In Indiana, the Legislature IS expected
, to be involved in n fight by the Taggart
faction Of democrats to elect a speaker.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Boston. Dec. 29.-Among the leading
problems which the Massachusetts, Legis-
lature of 1919 Is expected to consider,
are the further development and super
vision OF railroad and street railway
t,o,, fnIn +a<-
woman suffrage, the initiative and refer
endum. and the election Of successor
to United States Senator w. Murray
Crane.
MAINE
Augusta, Maine Dec. differentiation of
the development OF the vast hydro-electric
power latent in the large area of lakes
and streams In the state of Maine will be
proposed in measures to he submitted to
the Legislature at it's session which opens
January /, 1918 Some OF the members
seek to have legislation enacted which
will prohibit the transmission of such
power to points outside the State
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Concord. n. H., Dec. 2a.-Readjust-
= ment Of taxation methods, especially with
regard to intangible property, will be
given much attention At this session of
the New Hampshire Legislature. The
federal income tax amendment, railroad
rate regulation and restriction of water
Z power development also will be consid-
cred
TENNESSEE.
Nashville, Tenn, Dec 29.-Indepen-
dent democrats and republicans and
the so-called regulars" will contest
6 for the control Of tae Tennessee Leg
4 islature which Is to convene on Janu-
airy g. Upon this control depends the
identity of the two United States sen.
, ators who are to be elected, for n
T short and a long term respectively,
as well as the fate Of the prohibition
. laws which constitute one of the big
4 political issues in tails state.
CALIFORNIA AND MONTANA
San Francisco. Dec 29,-The California
Legislature, which convenes a week from
Tomorrow, probably will be dominated
by the Progressive party. The make-uI
n will be 70 progressives elected as repub-
lcans). IS democrats 10 regular republi-
i, cans and one socialist Progressive sen,
: ators have indicated their purpose to in
:, vite the affiliaton OF all members elected
>, under the republican name. Revival OF
anti-Japanese legislation appears certain
and promises some Of the excitement OF
= the session.
With the democrats in the majority tn,
:, Montana Legislature will convene Jan
uary G. The members are pledged To vot,
y for T, j. Walsh, democrat to succeed
United States Senator 10. NJ. Dixon
Walsh having received a plurality OF tn.
votes at the senatorial preference primary
~ in November, The more important pro
posed legislation includes a workmen
compensation law and a constitutional
~ amendment, giving the ballot to women.
COLORADO.
II Colorado's general assembly Will con
g vene January |, with the democrats II
AZ the ma iorty. Practically every membe,
i, is pledged to vote for the peoples choic,
10 for United States senators, as expressed
T. chosen are Governor John f. Shafrotl
r for the full term and former Governo
q Charles s. Thomas for the short term
Good roads and conservation are tn
r. topics to which the new legislators vii
g confine their greatest energies.
c. IDAHO
"a Two United States senators will b
" elected at the next session of the Ida n
Legislature which, will convene Januar
- The reelection of Senator William l.