The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-09
OENnIUkN MEEI
Democratic Lawmakers Gather
in Topeka Today.
Are Is Out of the 21 Members
Present.
ARE HOLDING A CONFERENCE
VIII DehOrn ingalls, and De-
eide Chairmanships.
Waggener, Milton, ShOuse,
Price and Butler Talked Of.
Probable Appointees.

4
1T. A. Milton, Wyandotte
Chairman Judiciary Committee
| Bale p. Waggener, Atchison.
Chairman Ways and Means Commit
| tee, Jouett Shouse, Edwards.
Chairman Committee Banks and
Banking:-William NJ. Price, Green
wood; or ]. D. Joseph, Butler.
President pro tem:-L. P. King, Cow
| ley.
| Secretary Senate:-Bert Brown,
| Douglas.
| Sergeant at Arms:-J. W. Ijams, JEFF
| ferson.
| Following a morning of vigorous
milling and sincere rejoicing over their
recent victory, Kansac Democratic
senators-elect did not fail 70 make
some progress on their plan of organ
| ization for the coming session. At least
three important chairmanships have
been practically decided. the veteran
Senator L. P. King seems slated for the
position of president pro tenn of the
senate without opposition and some of
the important senate appointments
seem final and conclusive, although
thew might be switched in the final
caucus
At the Throop hotel this afternoon
majority of the 81 Democratic members
of the senate are discussing their plan
of organization and outlining a plan
of campaign for the coming session.
Deep in their hearts they are glad be-
cause of their recent victory. But in
their voice is tone of sincerity and
deep desire for the fulfillment
of every promise written in the 1912
Democratic platform. 1t is to see that
none of these promises go to protest
and to organize for the fight that the
five days ahead of the opening of the
session.
VIII Dehorn ingalls,.
Rhere- is not the least bit Of uncer-
tainty as to the things that Will hap
pen to Lieutenant Governor Sheffield
ingalls,, who by virtue of his position
is the presiding officer of the senate
The Democrats plan to humble the
Rull Moose leader and in their effort
are practically insured the support of
every regular Republican who has
voice in the coming session.
with the plan to dehorn ingalls,,
caucus this morning agreed on Senator
IT A. Milton, of Wyandotte county, as
chairman of a committee on commit /
tees which will name the personnel of |
the various committees and leave but !
hollow honor for the presiding officer. /
And with the selection of Milton, the /
caucus virtually agreed on several of /
mentS. !
Reduce Number of Committees.
For some years the senate has strag- |
gled through a regular session with 40 |
regular working committees. That gave /
every member a chairmanship and the /
pie was in that way distributed with /
more or less equality among both Dem /
ocrats and Republicans Each senator I
had some appointment which he could |
deliver to a constituent. And thus the !
wounds of the minority were salved !
by the majority leaders. But this year ,
there NAV be a new deal.
1t is now planned to reduce the COM
mittees from 40 ITO 21-not to exceed |
25-and recognize for chairmanships |
only the Democratic members and the |
minority workers whose influence in /
senate is a real asset to the men who !
drive the administration band wagon.
Will Write the Rules, Too.
With the reduction in the number of
committees, the Democrats plan to goi
even a step further. They propose to /
have a committee on rules, or to give
the job to the members of the commit
tee on committees. Thus the Demo-
cratic senate will make only such rules
as it may please to observe and will
add to their program to humble In
gals. But even that isn't all. After
naming all of ingalls, committees re-
ducing the number of chairmanships
ana CnuS the state pay Toll,
the Democrats will open the senatorial |
festivities next Tuesday with COM
mittee on employees whose duty it will |
be to say who shall and shall not draw
a pay check during the coming session. I
Those were some of the things which
the Democrats whispered one to an
other during the early hours of their
meeting They smiled and grinned as
they talked of the contract to dehorn
Ingalls, Then they became serious and
talked of party pledges.
Must Not Forget Promises.
Every senator in attendance at the
conference apparently had deep
rooted conviction that the session must
not adjourn without the fulfi1lment of
every promise.
fore we go home declared Harry Nc
MILAN, of Minneapolis, who succeeds
Fred H. Quincy in the senate.
And that sentiment was apparentlyi
one of the key notes of the meeting
The Democrats shook their heads serf-
ously as they talked of the mat
ter and declared they would stay in
Topeka until the job is finished if it
takes six months.
VIII Honor Waggener.
Bale P Waggener of Atchison seems.
slated for the cEairmanship of the ja-
5icjarv committee. one of the most yitauy |
The return of Waggener to the senate is !
a matter Of thanksgiving among th-
Democrats who realize the strength OF
the veteran law maker And he viii
probably be placed at TIE head of tie
biz judiciary committee.
Jouett Shouse of Edwards county, may |
land the cnairmanship of the ways and
means committee. That is a mighty big