The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-14
HOUSE ORGANIZED
Speaker Fight Was Settled in
Harmony.
Orr and MulrOy Second the
Brown Nomination.
RODGERS Is CHIEF CLERK
Committee on Committees Plan
Sidetracked.
Robert Stone of Shawnee Re-
publican Speaker Nominee.

In the defeat late Monday afternoon
of w. p FEEDER for chief clerk, came
one of the real surprises in the cleo
ton of officers of the new Democratic
house. FEEDER was defeated by George
S Rogers, of Wichita, while James Cas-
sin. of Crawford county and a member
of the 1911 house, won the postoffice
fight over Mrs. Crow. AS reward and
recognition of their withdrawal from
the speakership fight, James w. Orr,
of Atchison, was made floor leader Tor
the Democrats while Miles I'll. Mulroy,
of Ellis county, was selected as
speaker pro tenn.
It was late in the afternoon when
the caucus was called and 1t was a
full hour later when w. l.. uronjaw)
Brown, of Kingman, had been nomi-
onded by Orr and Mulroy and the
speech of acceptance delivered by
Brown himself Brown preached DEM
ocratic harmony in his address and de-
clared that he would deal justice from
the speakers chair and would be i'm
partial to friend and enemy alike.
Then followed the selection of Orr
as floor leader and Mulroys election
as speaker pro tenn.
Fred Snyder, of Smith county, was
elected sergeant-at-arms over j. A
Rae. of Blue Rapids. George S. Rogers,
for chief clerk againt w. P. FEEDER, of
Great Bend, while James Cassin was
named as the house postmaster. w. w.
Frazer, of Franklin county, won the
position as doorkeeper; and Rev. G. a.
Finch. of Topeka, was elected chaplain.
The plan of the Democratic house to
appoint a committee on committees
was sidetracked by vote of 50 to 80.
When the caucus took recess until
noon today, there was every indication
that w. L. Brown, the new speaker,
would name the committees. This plan
IS unpopular even among many of
Browns followers and an effort will
be made to sidetrack the Monday eve
ming vote.
While the Democrats were holding
their caucus. the Republicans were in
the senate chamber discussing their
plans for the new session. Robert
Stone was the unanimous choice of the
Republicans in the house in their Sc
lection of a minority floor leader. To
be sure Stone was certain OF defeat
this afternoon in the formal OrganiZa-
ton, but he was recognized by the
partv as the man to lead the Republi
can forces in the fights of the next two
months.
In selecting a committee on commit
tees, the Republican caucus named A.
M. Keene of Bourbon, Robert Stone of
Shawnee, John M. Newlin of Douglas,
Clement L. Wilson of Greeley, and S.
NJ. Brewster of Doniphan. The minori-
ty decided to ask for 40 per cent of
the hous, patronage as a recognition
of the proportionate strength Of the
minority party in the house.
T. ]. Davis, of Gray county, presided
mt the meeting as chairman.
For the first. time since the admis-
sion of Kansas into the Union-52 years
e5frs -fT
today began the task of fulfilling a
long list of party promises Both
branches of the Kansas legislature got
under way today, following the COM
pletion of the permanent organization
and in a few days the committees will
begin turning back to the house and
senate the first inStallment of bills that
will occupy the attention of the legis-
lature through what promises to be one
of the longest and busiest sessions in
the history of the state.
Among the SO Democratic members of
the two houses, there is a grim deter
mination to make good on the 1912 plat
form pledges. This winter Kansas has
for the first time in her history a
working majority in both branches of
the legislature. bare majority of one
in the senate and a majority of nine
In the house. And for the first time in
the history of the state, Democratic
legislature has Democratic governor
to guide its actions and urge it to sue
cess. It is because of this fact that
the 1913 session promises to stand out
prominently in Kansas history 1t is
because of this situation that Kansas
voters, Republican, Democrat and Pro-
gressive, have suspended judgment for
the time being to await the accom-
plishments of the next two months.
That there will be no lack of team
work, Governor Hodges will insistently
urge that every platform promise be
fulfilled. The first evidence of the get
together spirit urged by Hodges be-
came evident In the speakership caucus.
Clearly w. L. Qronjaw) Brown had the
better of the situation for As hours pre-
ceding the caucus. But at that James
w. Orr, of Atchison and Miles H. Null
roy, of Ellis, could have carried a lot
of trouble to the Brown supporters and
it's influence would have probably been
fell throughout the greater portion of
the session. Then the unexpected ham
pened. Orr seconded Browns nominal
ton and made a plea for the fulfillment
Democratic harmony. The Atchison
man took his seat stronger with the
majority followers than when he had
gained the recognition of the chair
Then Mulroy also seconded Browns
nomination and himself stepped out of
the running. AS a reward for this eff
fort to promote harmony. Orr was a
few minutes later rewarded with the