The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-14

floor leadership and Mulroy was named
as speaker pro tenn.
Over in the senate it was hardly so
unanimous. Yet today every Demo-
cratic senator vows that he will stay
in Topeka until the Fourth of July
rather than see one party promise go
to default.
Even with their majority in both
houses and their possession of the gov
errors chair, it is not at all improba-
BILE that the Democrats are to face
some rough and squally weather be-
fore they go home. 1t is because the
wise old timers realize this situation,
that an effort is now being made TO
salve the wounds of the minority and
forestali any possible friction. True
it is, the Democrats have a majority
But a majority never faced better
organized, more capable or ShreWd an
opposition as the Republicans present
at this time. So the Democrats realize
that with Brewster, Keene and Stone
in the house and Price of Clark, Stav-
ley, Mahin and Stillings in the senate,
that they face a serious opposition in
event party differences rub too closely.
1t was recognition of this fact that
caused the wise old members to sug-
gest to the new ones that the plan to
cut off minority patronage be forgotten.
They knew what it meant and are tax
ing no chances
But with the formal organization out
of the way, the program to redeem the
1912 promissory notes in the party plat
form will be fastened by the admin
istration leaders. Already many of the
more important party measures have
been drafted. They will be introduced
early in the session and crowded
through the committees as rapidly as
possible.
Among the promises which the DEM
ocrats will attempt to keep are:
Passage Massachusetts, ballot law.
Election United States senators by
direct vote people.
State publication text books.
Consolidation boards regents educa-
tional institutions
Three-fourthS jury verdict.
Reduction number district courts
and taking of judiciary out of politics.
Fee and salary bill.
Repeal inheritance tax law.
Amendment poll tax law.
The initiative and referendum.
The recall of all derelict officials.
And not least in the minds of the
Kansas voters: A pledge for a reduc-
ton of taxes.
That last item is causing real alarm.
Senator Bale p. Waggener has sug-
gested an income tax and will intro
duce a bill to that effect. Others pro-
pose trimming the appropriations. And
among the score of plans that have
question and dispute as to the real
method to save the states money. But
save money the legislature must. And
the victorious Democrats must figure
out their own salvation.
Then there is that little paragraph
in the party platform which is close
to the hearts of many members. 1t
says:
I'VE believe we have too many laws,
too many officers, too much govern
ment and too high taxes. And we
promise, if given the opportunity, to
use the pruning knife on these evils"
So that becomes another promise
and the Democrats vow that it must
not go to protest.
That is the situation as it faces
Kansas Democracy on the day of the
organization of the legislature. Will
the Democrats make good? Will they
redeem their pledges?
Charlie Sessions. secretary of state,
made a clever speech as a preface to
his official duties in connection with
the inauguration. He said:
''To be indicted into office on the
9th day of the month in the year
1913 at about 1918 p. M, in the pres
ence of a vast multitude, presided over
by an undertaken. even as joviaI and
guished chairman is, might cause some |
people to falter. If there is a super !
stitious official to be sworn in today
who is afraid of the 13 and undertaken
and doesn't care to hold
public office for the next two years
let him stand SO that I may omit his
name when 1 read the list (Pause.)
How strange; not a rise. 1, therefore,
take it that all of them are ready and /
willing, yes even eager, to take the |
oath.
"On one or two occasions before in
the dim and distant past Kansas d. |
vided her family between two political !!
parties. This year she went one step
further and it seems divided it among
three. If any political party or any
faction of any political party is not |
on this list today it is |
simply an oversight of the voters on |
last November. However much we |
may differ in political affiliations L sin
cerely trust that We shall all pull to-
gether during the nett two years and
and if possible, improve the
high standard of state government
with which Kansas has been blessed in
the past
He then read the list.