The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-11
OR Trip Hammer Most Effective
in Legislative Enaetmenti
Present System Of AdministFa
ton VIII Give the Answer.
GOVERNOR CAPPm USES OIL
Present Executive Has Substi-
tuted Roses for BelcAed Fire.


When the 1915 session Of the legis-
lature closes, Kansas politicians will
know whether the salve pot IL more
effective than the trip-hammer in Sc
curing the enactment Of legislation.
While the session is far from ended,
1t II probable that Governor Capper
will pursue a policy new to state ex-
ecutives In his effort to secure the full
fillment of party pledges.
! In former days the adopted meth
cd Of inducing the legislature to do
something was by effective application
of a nine pound club on the political
head of a choice leader. SOmetimel
this policy brought instant results and
about as often 1t started q row that
kept the state awake nights.
Another favorite pastime for Kan
sas governors was the distribution OF
patronage among legislative members.
This practice relieved the pressure OF
political crouch about 50 per cent
and has been responsible for the en-
actment Of many laws. But Governor
Capper has declared that he will not
reward members of the legislature
means that the ambitious members
who work to nail down the planks in
the platform of last fall. see nothing
in the future but g. clear conscience
of a hope Of happiness and brotherly
love.
Since the 1915 legislature came to
town, the salve pot has been in con-
slant use. Where former governors
used vitr1ol, Governor Capper has used
oil. Where other governors have sent
for obstreperOus members and told
them Of the uncertainty of the future.
the new governor has sent q bunch OF
roses and seasons compliments
Where former governors sent to the
legislature q message that belched
fire. Governor Capper has sent for q
few individual members and talked
things over.
termine the ultimate result. The new
governor. however, is giving a brand
new policy a real test. The change is
worrying the members. apparently. as
much as the new form OF politics
worries the old politicians. Maybe
DDS of handling a Kansas legislature.
Maybe the plan will fail for the mere
reason that a legislature naturally ex-
poets to be driven and bossed and
founders without a directing force.
Cappcr New Policy.
With the new policy adopted by
Governor Capper. 1t Is hardly prob
able that special messages will be sent
to the legislature during the present
session. Such a move would smatter
OF an effort to drive and force the
work of the law makers. Capper's
suggestions will more likely be made
to a few confidAnts In his private Of
flee. The governor himself will prob
ably stay in the background and he
will direct with suggestions instead
Of orders.
The real test for the governor will
come when the senate and house lock
horns over the passage Of the appr0-
priatfon bills. II the governor can
keep his hands OF the legislature at
that time, the politicians are willing
to admit that he has stood the test
of fire. -Four years ago Governor
Stubs meddled with the appropria-
ton bills and sent a special message
asking for retrenchments. The SEN
ate promptly sent back a message to
the auburn haired executive to desig-
nate the items In the appropriation
bills which he desired eliminated.
Stubs never replied.
While more than half Of the, legis-
lattve session Is gone, no direct re-
suits of the Capper plan are evident.
AS yet none Of the platform policies
are enacted into law But the salve
pot is still open and in use. The re-
suit of the new policy will best be de-
termined when the legislature ad-
journs and a final reckoning of the
session is made