Semi-weekly herald., 1914-05-07
SPECIAL SESSION OPENS;
AMMONS DELIVERS ADDRESS


DENVER, May 4.--To consider
ways and means for financing the
sending Of state militia to the south
ern Colorado strike zone last fall and
again few weeks ago, to both the
southern and northern fields, the leg
islature Of the state met in special
session today at the call Of Gov. E.
M. Ammons. Although the principal
business suggested in the governors
call was the appropriation of funds
and the consideration of labor ques-
tions growing out Of the coal strike,
it was expected that the enemies of
Governor Ammons would take mat
ters in their own hands and institute
impeachment proceedings against him.
Lieutenant Governor Fitzgerald may
also be the object of similar at
tack.
First Of all, however. the important
question as to the speakership of the
house is to be fought out. Skinner,
speaker at the regular session, is now
incapacitated, having received a fed
eral appointment which disqualifes
him from serving. A. p. Ardourel, OF
Boulder, and John w. Old, of Clear
Creek, are looked upon as the chief
| contenders.
Gov. Ammons hopes the legislature
will pass bills providing for a state
constabulary, will also appropriate
$l,O00.000 and odd, needed to pay bills
already incurred by the sending Of
the militia for strike duty; much of
this is for back pay still owed the
troops. He is also hopeful that
measure providing for compulsory ar
bitration of labor disputes will be pass
cd.
One hundred stenographers and
clerks who worked at the regular ses-
sion Of the house will be on hand
to demand their jobs. The state civil
service commission will demand that
20 clerks and 80 stenographers on the
eligible list Of the commission, receive
the appointments. Then there will be
a hundred and fifty or more appli-
cants who have not been certified by
the civil service commission, and who
didn't have jobs at the regular ses-
sion. but who consider they are en-
titled to jobs at the extra"
| The civil service commission claims
that the civil service law applies to
the temporary appointees, and the
question will have to be settled as
ths law was not operative when the
regular session was held. The aspir-
ants who are relying on their pull
will claim that the law does not ap-
ply to them, and will not apply until
the next regular session is held. So
this will be one more problem to be
solved before the Legislature can get
down to actual business.
These problems may be considered,
but 1t seems certain that they will be
shelved until the impeachment ques-
ton has been fought out. A count
Of heads indicates that 20 Of the rep
resentatives will vote for impeach-
ment, with 18 opposing, and 16 doubt
full. This Is with reference to Am
mons, for as to Fitzgerald there is
little likelihood that he will receive
much attention from one side or the
other.
Should the house institute an i'm
peachment proceeding, the matter
would then go to the senate, which
would try the man or men impeached.
In the sensts, it is conceded that 16
viii vote against Ammons, 1s will up
hold the governor, and the vote Of
one senator is doubtful.
The special session will cost the
people of the state at the rate of
$500 day for clerk hire, printing,
and other incidentals. This is ex-
elusive Of the legislators salaries,
which are fixed for the term without
reference to the number of days they
may attend sessions, special or regu-
lar. II the special session lasts only
four weeks, this will mean a cost of
10000. II there is deadlock and
both sides hang on long enough, the
session may last until August, with
proportionstely increased cost. It
is believed, however, that neither side
Will care to incur the odium of an
unduly prolonged session.