The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-11
Democrats, Playing . Beautiful
Hand, Voted for IL.
COULDN'T HOLD 'EM m LINE
Speaker Stone Unable to Hold
Forces for Administration.
Prettiest Contest Of Political
Bearing in 1915 Session.

Deen displayed at this session OF the
legislature. house Democrats put the
Republicans in a hole Wednesday
night when all but seven Of their
members rallied TO the support OF an
administration initiative and referen-
dunn and drove the majority side of
the house to the defeat of the pro-
posed constitutional amendment. 1t
was the first time since the opening
of the session that the administration
lost control ir the house. but in the
fight for the sacred I. and r. even
Speaker Stone was unable to hold the
Republicans in line.
Staunch. tried. true and trusted
friends of the Capper administration
turned their backs on the platform
pledges Of last fall, ignored the gov
the defeat of the proposed amend
ment. In their platform of 1912, the
Republicans pledged themselves to the
support Of an initiative and referen-
dunn, such as the Republican MEM
bers of the 1918 legislature support
ed" Not only was the measure in the
platform of last fall, but the exact
provision was in the tentative platform
on which every legislative candidate
made the campaign in the primaries.
The initiative and referendum submit
ted to the house members was exactly
publicans III the legislative session or
two years ago. But the fight for it's
adoption was to no avail.
Even had the entire voting body of
Democrats and PrOgressives voted for
the measure. It would rave still fallen
five vote. short OF passage. Thirty
six Republicans voted against the
resolution on final passage, while
seven Of the nine Progressive men,
bers voted for the measure. One Pro-
voted against the resolution. Way
man. ninth Progressive, was absent.
Brewer. the Socialist. also came to the
assistance OF the administration, as
did the majority Of Democrats. But
it awaited nothing.
For and Against.
Martin of Reno. one Of the right
hand men Of the state administration.
took the floor in opposition to the
measure. The fact that the PROPOSE
ton was in the platform concerned
him not. The fact that Governor Cap
per recommended the amendment in
his message, meant nothing. He was
firm and unconvinced. 1t was a bad
measure, he declared. and he was OPP
posed to its adoption.
Terrell of ChautauQua talked long
and loud against the adoption of the
resolution. a.
Speaker Stone pleaded for the full
hllment Of the party pledge and the
UNFOLDING OF the hands Of the admin
istratior. But the speech apparently
made no votes.
Democrats came to the aid Of the
speaker. They said that they favor
ed the proposition. even though 1t
came from the opposite side of the
hall
On final vote, 20 members voted
for the resolution. "A against it. To
pass the solution, required S3 af-
ftrmative votes.
Republicans voting against the
Bray, Brown, Burton, Caldwell, Car
ter, Coolidge. Derby, Drummond, Ed
wards, Endres. Farr. Terrell. Gibson.
Gray. Harris, Hawkinson. johnson Of
BroWn' Lamp OF montgomery. Layton.
Martin, McDougall, McGinnis, MOsher,
Noble. Paul. Pomeroy, Ressler, Sat-
terthwaite, Showalter, Smith of Sew
ard. Stone of Lyon, Taylor. Travis.
Wells.
Democrats voting against passage
OF the resolution were: Clark, Doyle.
joyce. McDermott, O'Laughlin, Stout,
Thompson.
absent or not voting: Cameron,
Campbell. Gilman. Hoskinson, john
son OF Wallace, Lonnberg. Perryman,
Pettijohn. Smith OF Graham and
sProgressives supporting the resolu-
ton were: Gibbons, Cooler Holder
man. Lamb of Dickinson. Lindley,
ROgler and Stauffer.
With the exception Of Brewer, So
ciaiist. voting for the resolution, and
Gibbens. Progressive, voting against
the resolution, all other members
voted for it's adoption. Gibbons ex-
piained that ne voted against the
measure because voters in his district
favored submission of other amend
menfs being considered at this SEES
sion.