The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-05
OUT OF POLITICS
House Bill Would Remove
judiciary.
1t Is Another Democratic
Pledge Part Redeemed.
PASSED BY VOTE 1O2 To II
Democratic Legislators Will
Hold a Caucus.
Try to Get Together to Pass
Platform Bills.
PASSED BY VOTE 1O2 TO II

By vote of 102 to IL, the house re-
deemed another Democratic pledge
tuesday afternoon when it adopted
Speaker Browns bill calling for the
removal of the judiciary from politics
This bill is tended to make the cleo
tlton of members of the judiciary alb
solutely non-partisan
Under the provisions of Browns bill
candidates for district judge and asso-
ciate justice of the supreme court will
nave their names printed on separate
ballots to be voted on in the August
primaries. Every person entering the
booths, regardless of party affiliations
VIII be given one of these ballots. Per-
sons thus nominated in the primaries
VIII have their names printed in the
Independent column on the general
election ballot in November.
That bill prohibiting fake advertising
in Kansas, was recommended for pass
age in the house committee of the
whole. 1t created a squirt of oratory
but the general measure seemed to
strike a sympathetic chord with MEM
bers of the houses and they voted to
recommend its passage with but little
argument. The bill prohibits the pub
lication of fake advertisements in
newspaper and makes both the adver-
and Imprisonment. Not only does the
bill affect newspaper advertising, but
circular and hand bill advertising as
well and puts a ban on fake quit
business, fire, bankrupt and forced
sales by mercantile houses.
Hoping that they may perfect an
organizat ton which will put across the
more important constitutional amend
ments to be submitted in 1914, the
I H. t.
will this week hold a caucus to dis
cuss their plans for the remainder Of
the session. 1t is probable that the
conference will be held tonight
wednesday, in the state house.
Since the defeat of the initiative and
referendum in. the senate and the pain
faI experience of having the teeth iex-
tracted from the measure in the house,
the administration members realize
that only the strongest possible organ
ization can secure the passage of an
L and r. resolution that will not be
a compromise. Another measure which
is in grave danger of defeat at
least radical amendments is the recall.
Yet those two resolutions are the very
ones on which the Democratic legiS-
lature has set it's heart and which the
party leaders are most anxious to
adopt.
Now a conference is to be held and
the plans for the coming campaign will
be discussed. There is but little seri-
Gus trouble concerning the passage of
party promises which require ma
jority vote But to submit constitu-
tionaI amendments, two-thirds vote
is necessary and that means that Re
publican converts must be gained. 1t
is to discuss plans for gaining assist
ance from the Republican side that the
Democrats will be called together.
From the house labor commit
tee today came brand new
minimum wage for women bill,
offered as substitute for the
Riddle bill which was introduced ten
days ago. This new bill provides a
minimum wage of Sc, with a provision
for a minimum wage of $3.50 a week
for apprentices. 1t also creates the
office of wage commissioner, to be
held by a woman, appointed Dy the
governor. The new office will pay ST.
500 year.
Many of the objectionable features of
the original minimum wage bill have
been removed from the new measure.
drafted as a substitute or compromise
for the original bill. Instead of a
minimum wage of SO a week, it pro-
vides a minimum wage of Sc week,
makes separate provision for appren-
tices and ;nefficients and creates an
official to regulate the operation of the
law. 1t is claimed by the legislative
if will harmonic all factions and sat
isfy not only the womens organiza-
tion. who drafted the original meas
ure but will also prove satisfactory to
the employers of female labor.
1t is provided by the bill that ap-
prentices shall receive minimum
wage of Sc a week wages to be in
creased at the rate of 80 cents Il month
until they reach the minimum of
skilled labor in that particular classi-
fication Provision is also made for a
lesser wage to be pai to crippleS and
inefficients who by virtue of their
physicaI condition are unable to come
under the classificatio of skilled
workers. Then the bill provides for a
wage commissioner who shall be a
woman. APPOINTED by the governor.
This commissioner, the new bill pro-
1ides shall receive a salary of $1,000
a year.
After waiting "a years for the money,
it is now reasonably probable that 10,
c1lrbire claim against the state. At least
the bill is to be recommended for passage
this week by the house claims and ac-
conn s committee, with the understanding
that as an evidence of appreciation for
ceivine the money that Topeka will build
a white way around the state house
RWay back in the SOS Topeka paved tie
streets surrounding the state house ara
trusted to the legislature to appropriate
the money to pay the bill. Since then
Topeka has learned better. Each session
the bill was passed over to a succeeding
legislature and each year the bill grew
until the interest account exceeded the
principal Still the bill was not pafo
Tw Years ago it seemed almost certain
for few days-that Topeka would collect
state But she failed to get the money
So when the legislature met this win