The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-05
LIVES OF A CAT
The /. and II. Buried Deep, but
Won't Lie Still.
Another Chance for Its Pass
age by This Legislature.

endum resolution to the voters IN the
1914 election in the action taken by
the Democratic house today when it
voted to submit but one more reSolu-
ton with the recall provision at this
session of the legislature That
stand, Speaker Brown argued. left
open the gate for driving home the l.
and r. before November, 1914. And
in vote taken just before the noon
recess the house members went on the
record Sc to Sc favoring the internal
Improvement resolution as the second
amendment to be submitted.
This was clearly field day for the big
constitutional amendments. With but
SO hours ahead of them in which to
clean up all house measures, that body
devoted the entire morning to a con-
sideYation of the constitutional pro-
visions and selected from among the
Offering of six provisions the Orr reSO-
luton calling for the repeal of the
present constitutional provision winch
forbids internal Improvements at the
hands of the state.
Might Mean Special Session?
Before the fight on the constitutional
amendments opened, Speaker Brown
took the floor to explain the posltl0h
of the administration concerning the
l. and r. He asked that the house
vote to submit but one more amend
ment at this time. But three amend
ments can be offered at any one cleo
ton. The house and senate have botn
passed the recall and it goes to the
voters next year. Browns plan was
to leave the third place open Tor the
1. and R.-either at this session or at
a special session, which he inferred IN
his speech might be called in event the
legislature turned down the measure
at the present session.
No sooner had Brown left the floor
than Robert stone of shawnee Repup-
lican leader, arose. He declared tndI
the minority had gone on record for
the Initiative and referendum, that the
original house measure had been turn
ed down, that the Republican mem
bers stood willing and ready TO. &c
fend their position or to vote Tor the
original measure which received al
most q unanimous vote in the house
and later failed in the conference
But Stone made clear that
the minority would never support a
s'mongrel substitute" and would vote
only FOR the real article
Considered Six Amendments.
Then the house took up the consti-
tutionaI amendments. The discussion
of these measures occupied the time
of the entire morning session. Ihere
NcI~e nine constitutional provisions
in the house, but because OF
the decision of that body to submit
but one measure, three of the sus,
gested amendments were cropped
from consideration,
orr of Atchison offered the amend
ment providing for the repeal of the
present constitutional provision which
prohibits internal improvement. Be
cause the resolution was offered TO-DAY
the fifty-first day of the seSS1on-lt
aroused much objection, but Ianded a
clear majirity on final roll call. 1t
was the constitutional provision which
Orr seeks to repeal that blocked the
establishment of a state oil refinery
under the Hoch administration: 1t IS
tie same provision which now threat
ems to make unconstitutional the law
enacted at this session which creates
4 state school text book commission
and provides for the publication OF
school books by the state And the
same provision blocks the building of
state highways in Kansas counties.
Income Tax Amendment Strong.
Waggener's income tax provision |
was second in the running with the |
Orr resolution. Many farmer MEM |
oers who objected to the provisions
IF the Orr resolution because it meant |
expense on the farmers for the build |
ng of good roads, supported the in !,
come tax measure which didn't hit the |
farmers at all.
other measures considered by the |
mousse were: Laing's resolution pro-
Fiding that twelve instead of three
provisions might be
submitted at one general election, |
<eenes three-fourths jury verdict |
amendment and Carneys amendment |
the state to secure a change !
IF venue in criminal cases
The final roll call showed that Orr's |
.esolution had received &c votes, while |
Is had been cast for the Waggener |
amendment There were 16 votes d. |
1ided among the other amendments. I
Final vote on the resolution by Orr
will be taken sometime this afternoon /
"a he Ixyi1
end a two-thirds vote for the submits
ion of the internali Improvement provis-
on.
But the attitude of the Democrats
the submission of the 1. |
md r. resolution is still matter of |
peculation. II is hardly probable that
he resolution can be put through at |
his late date of the session and adj
leaders are hardly inclin-
d to believe that Governor Hodges
will call special election in order to
ecure the submission of this resolu-
ion to the voters.
The house by a unanimous vote to-
lay adopted the Voiland joint resolu-
ion concerning the manner of holding
uture legislative sessions. VoilandS |
Measure is merely an opening wedge
nd suggestion to future legislatures.
t suggests that the legislature hold |
'rief three day session for the intro
uction of all bills and recess 10 to Is |
lays for committee work. devoting the |
emainder of the session to the con-
liberation of bills on the calendar
Among members of the legislat ure
here is a firm belief that the Shawnee |
ounty members suggestion contains
cal merit. But the action today is in |
10 way binding on future legislatures
Following the vote of the house, |
Foiland offered a resolution instruct |
ng the state reference library depart
nent to secure information concern |
ng the methods of modern and approx
d lawmaking in other states and to |
enOrt TO the 1915 session