The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-13
Hidden Legislation May Indi-
cate Disturbances.
PLEASE LEAVE US ALONE"
Corporations Ask for. Conserve.
tive Consideration IN 1915.
How viii House Receive Gov
ernor Capper's Message9

legislative visitors-the men who
keep tab on the work Of Kansas law
makers-feel less at homo among the
members of the new house Of repre-
sentatives than any Legislative body
that has met in Topeka since the COM
ing Of the first square dear' crowd.
In tho house are many strange faces
men whose ability and weakness and
whims and hobbies are Known to MEM
bers Of the third house" and it will be
several days before the crowd that in
tests the legislative halls feels at
home.
The fact that there are many new
men in the house is matter Of greater
importance than might appear on first
thought. A brand new body Of law
makers always worries the lobby. 1t
makes uncertain the attitude OF the
legislature as a whole. 1t means added
uncertainty concerning freak" bills
and new trouble in pushing or blocking
legislation.
So today the lobby is edging up close
to the house and the house members
new to the legislative game. are for
the first time meeting the men Of lin
terests" face to face.
That isn't all. There IL an uncer-
tainty as to the course the legislature
may pursue regarding general public
policies. Governor Capper in his in
duHuTdl SpScCH, lIFu1CdtCu a
strong desire for an emphatic progress
sive program. That desire doesn't exc
actly please the men who have business
in the Hobbies. A new wave If reform
always means new and drastic legisla-
ton. And new and drastic legislation
ton interests in Kansas do not partic-
Tlarly desire at this time. They have
hoped and prayed for a session that
would at least leave them alone.
LET Us Alone"
1--WE have been hammered and kick
ed and cuffed until we hurt all over
said a we'll known corporation repre-
ask for any favorable legislation. We
will be mighty happy II we are left
alone.''
Such seems to be the desire Of the
interests which generally receive the
brunt of the adverse legislation in Kan
sas. Those new faces worry them
Many members of the old guard are
not back in the house this winter. In
their places are new men. fresh from
their own people. who have little to
say and whose course is matter Of
speculation and uncertainty.
Governor Capper's inaugural ad.
dress mentioned with pride many pro.
gressive laws enacted in Kansas. Th<
new governor showed q desire Tor &
continuation OF this policy. The new
MUSE 10 III COHtEOl Ol Inc RSpuOlCAnS
with q battalion of Progressives IL
the trenches. And the course of the
legislature is something of more thar
passing interest.
The new governors message and its
reception in the house may settle a
few doubts in the minds of Legislative
observers. If the governor recon-
mends drastic legislation and it is re.
ceived with enthusiasm by the house
members. the lobby fears bad winter
If. on the other hand, the governor
does not specifically demand radica
reforms, there may be brief breath.
ing spell. Even then, there is doubt
and fear. Not until a few hundred
bills have been introduced will the
members of the third house" know
the thoughts uppermost in the minds
of the new members