The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-14
TO SEW UP Bills?
Legislative Siege May Keep
Lawmakers in Topeka.
Speaker stones U1timatum'
Brings Out Possibilities.
TO ORGANIZE / FILIBUSTER
This Is Threat Of Democrats I'm
DOwntrOdden House.
Bull MOOsers Stand ON Side
Lines and Enjoy 1t.
TO ORGlNIzE 1 FILIBUSTER


to stay in Topeka -or some time after
their pay stops. il a legislative siege
planned by Democratic leaders is en-
forced. The plan under consideration
by the Democrats will mean a tying
up Of administration legislation in the
committee rooms and on the floor OF
both houses unless Speaker Stone
grants the demand of the house Dem
ocrats in distribution o. committee
assignments.
Since the first breach between the
Republicans and Democrats concern
ing legislative patronage and commit
tee places. there have been mutterings
in the ranks of the Democrats. Tom
Moxcey of Atchison threw q defy to
Speaker Stone in response to his ulti-
matum that house Democrats would
share in proportion to the recognition
accorded senate Republicans. In
Democratic circles today there was
tendency to back up the position Of
the fighting Atchison lawyer.
1t is probable that party fight be-
tween the house and senate will mean
a sewing up of Republican legislation
in the senate committees and prompt
retaliation on the pa of the Repub-
lican house. But Moxcey has notified
the Republicans that if they seek to
control committee meetings it will be
necessary for Republican members to
be present and voting at every session.
That isn't the only thing the Demo-
Gratis plan. They propose to organize
a ilibuster if necessary. In that man.
ner they will be able to tie up the
hills close to the hearts Of Republican
members and punish the administra-
ton for refusal to meet their demands
in the house. is
While the Democrats I1an a cam
paign of trouble for the Republicans.
the administration members OF the
house are staying loyalty with Speaker
Stone in his ultimatrm. They argue
that If a certain bass OF committee
representation is ju tice to the Re-
publican minority in the senate. the
same representation will be equal JUS
tice to the Democratic minority in the
house. Thus the matter stands
MOOsers Watch Fight.
So far as the nine Progressive mem
bers of the house are concerned. they
are saying nothing. They are standing
on the side lines and watching the
fight. If, when the test comes, these
Progressives cast their lot with the Re
publicans, it will greatly strengthen
the Stone position. On the other hand.
refusal Of the Progressives to join
with the Stone crowd will greatly en-
danger the house ma ority~.-of two
votes.
Speaker Stone is not required to con-
suit committee concerning his COM
mittee assignments. He is his own
Judge and court of last resort concern
ing the basis of representation on the
house committees Should he WAIVER
and accede to the Democratic demands.
it would for the time being, at least.
block the impending party row. On
the other hand. recognition OF house
Democrats in a greater proportion than
senate Republicans receive, would en-
danger Republican control of the COM
mittees. So the scene is laid for one of
the nveliest party rows in a Kansas
legislature in recent years.
Not until Speaker Stone has named
his full list of committees, will the
Democrats definitely declare their
plans. But quietly, one to another.
they have done much talking. They
have little to lose and much to gain
in running fight during the session.
they urge. On the other hand the new
administration is held responsible for
the fulfillment of it's promises and the
use of much salve and ointment and
harmony conversation may become
necessary to put the program. through
the two branches of the legislature.