Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-01-03
POLITICAL GOSSIP.

the center Of the stage among the
twelve middle western states whose
legislatures meet in regular session
beginning early next month. With two
United States senators to be elected
the first Democratic administration
In twenty years in the saddle, a band
OF twenty-six legislators from the
Progressive party fighting republicans
and democrats, and no party holding
a majority in either house or on the
Joint ballot, it scenes certain that
the forty-eighth general assembly,
which will be called to order Janu.
airy 3, will become one of the most
historic that has met at Springfield.
Not only is a deadlock in connection
With the senatOrships almost a GER
tainty in Illinois, but a bitter con.
test over organization for the legis.
lature, which may delay the regular
work of the session for weeks. is
said to be imminent.
Wisconsin, although not furnishing
the spectacular feature that will mark
the Illinois session, probably will at
tract next greatest attention by the
work of its legislature. Setting the
pace for innovations in legislative af-
fairs, Wisconsin has mapped out a
comprehensive program of social bet.
lerment" legislation for the year 1913
far in advance of other states in the
middle west, if not in the country.
Efforts to establish a system of ru-
raj credits to aid farmers, a system
OF land colonization that will make
possible the back to the land" move
ment for the man with little money.
a mothers pension plan, a minimum
wage bill and a recall bill for mem
Ders Of state commissions are only a
lew of the measures that will be
considered at Madison.
Six middle western states in addi-
ton to Illinois will elect a federal
senator. Those are: Michigan, Iowa,
Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota
and Kansas. No senator will be elect.
ed next year in Ohio, Indiana, Mis-
souri, and Wisconsin.
Indications at this time point to
the election from these seven states
OF four Republican senators, at least
two and possibly three Democrats
and one Progressive. Illinois may
choose two Democrats or name one
Democrat and a Republican or other
party member to fill the short term
opened by the refusal of the senate
10 consider valid the election of VIII
lam Lorimer.
In Michigan, despite rumors of a
against him, William AL.
den Smith, Republican, has declared
that he is certain of election. Iowa
is slated to return to Washington
S. Kenyon, Republican. Ne
Oraska, unless the unexpected hap
pens, will name George W. Norris.
progressive. In South Dakota Thorn
as Sterling, Republican primary nomi-
nee' may be opposed by Senator Rob
ert j. Gamble. In Minnesota, the re-
turn of Senator Knute Nelson seems
assured. In Kansas it is expected
that Judge w. H. Thompson. Demo
crat, will be elected to succeed Sen.
ator Charles Curtis.
Of the twelve states named If
party lines govern, the Republicans
Will control the legislatures in Mich
lgan, Iowa, South Dakota, North Da-
kota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The Democrats hold an overwhelm.
Ing majority in the legislatures of
Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas.
In Nebraska the Democrats have a
majority of one on Joint ballot, al.
though the Republicans have a ma.
lority in the Nebraska senate.
These political Arguments, however
may be changed in several of the
by members of the new
Progressive party, some of whom
were elected under the name Repub-
Iican.
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