Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-01-17
BROWN OF KINeMAN
SPEAKER OF HOUSE
Topeka, January A.

Iopeka, January H.
Speaker-W. L. Brown of Kingman.
Democratic floor leader-James W.
Orr Of Atchison.
Speaker pro tem-NIiles Mulroy of
Ellis.
sergeant-at-arms-Fred Snyder of
Smith.
Chief Clerk-George S. Rogers of
Sedgwick.
POstmaster-James Cassin Of Craw-
ford.
Doorkeeper-W. W. Frazer Of
Franklin.
Chaplain-Rev. C. A. Finch Of Shaw
nee.
Above are the officers of the house
agreed upon yesterday afternoon by
the Democratic members OF the house
They held a caucus in Representative
hall open to the public.
The speakership fight melted away
before the caucus opened. 1t resolved
itseE into a love feast with each can
didate doing what he could for the
other, so long as interests did not
clash.
James W. Orr, of AtchisOn, looked
upon as second man in the speaker.
ship fight, withdrew in favor of W.
L. Brown, MilesM ulroy, this man in
the fight, seconded 0rr's sentiments.
Brown asked that Orr be made floor
leader and Orr and Brown asked that
Mulroy be made speaker pro TEN.
Then W. H. Schlicher of Sheridan
county moved that the whole thing
be done by acclamation and it was.
Rob't. Hendricks of Rawlins county
was made chairman of the caucus and
J.T Kinkaid of Johnson county was
made secretary. Before it began to
grind Henderson S. Martin, chairman
of the Democratic state central COM
mittee, made an appeal for team work
on the part Of the Democratic mem
bers. He declared that was the only
way the party could expect success.
"The Democratic platform Of 1912
shall be the Democratic Bible of 1913
said Chairman Hendricks in reply.
w. L. Brown, more familiarly know
as "Iron Jaw" Brown, was placed in
nomination bv ]. n. Herr of Barber
county. He made neat little speecf
setting forth the qualifications of his
nominee.
Before Browns warmest friends
could secure the floor James w. Orr
had it.
The Democratic party" he said,
''has been placed on trial. 1t is charg
ed with some great responsibilities
The only way it can meet the situa-
tion successfully is with a solid front
The prime purpose of every Democrat
in this body is to see that every plank
in the Democratic party platform
is fulfilled. We will have some
Of the strongest men in Kansas
on the minority side-such men as
Brewster, Stone and Keene. They viii
be watching our every move. They are
keen and observing men. We cannot
afford to go into this session OF the
legislature with a divided front and
because Of that fact take pleasure in
seconding the nomination Of W. L.
Brown"
Miles Mulroy, a candidate for SPEAK
er, was on his feet instantly. Il wish
to voice the sentiments expressed by
Mr.. Orr and in behalf of the Sixth
District which made me its unanimou
choice for speaker this morning, | al
so wish to second the nomination Of
Mr.. Brown"
Schlisher OF Sheridan moved that
the nomination Of Mr.. Brown be made
by acclamation and the Kingman MAI
was made the unanimous choice Of
the caucus for speaker.
Mr.. Brown thanked the Democratic
members.
Il will take the chair Of the speak.
er without prejudice to any member
Of this caucus" he said,a nd / hope
may merit the appreciation of the
minority. l hope to hand back the
gavel after the session adjourns, alb.
solutely untarnished."
In closing Brown nominated james
Orr for floor leader, declaring he
needed such a man on the floor Of
the house clothed with authority
7 There was no trouble about that. Or
} was chosen by acclamation. In thu
same manner was Miles Mulroy chos
D en- for speaker pro TEN.
a There were two candidates Tor ser
|, geant-at-arms, J. A. McRea Of Blu
Rapids and Fred Snyder Of Smitl
, Center. A secret ballot was taken an
SNYDER waa chosen nv a vote of a. 1