The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-15
Speaker Stone Withdraws Ulti-
matum to Democrats.
Gave Minority 40 Per Cent Of
Committee Assignments.
SENATE WOULDN'T BACK lP
So Stone Extended Ollvo
Branch to Opposition Party.
Ramor That Governor Capper
Wanted Peace in Legislature.

Speaker Stone today backed up ON
his ultimatum to senate Democrats.
accorded the house minority from IS
to 40 per cent Of COMMITTEES assiens
ments-all that was requested-repu-
dated his declaration Of war and de-
clared for peace. Even the Demo-
Gratis are happy and A. A. Doerr, who
two days before stood at the speakers
desk and pleaded for mercy, Joined
with Stone in singing the harmony
song
In making up his lists O; COMMITTEES
assignments. Speaker Stone came to
the parting OF the ways. The nRht
Tor committee places had reached the
stage where it was necessary for the
Democratic senate to change front or
for Stone to act. The senate didn't
back up. Stone did. He took the
customary route OF blaming the news
papers Tor starting q fight which he
said didn't exist. Doerr, on behalf
OF the Democrts, said amen and told
OF the good feeling in ranks of both
parties. Moxcey OF Atchison ex-
planned his interview on the subject bv
explaining that it wasn't as bitter -
might have been inferred. Then the
oove or peace nestled down over the
body to witness a season of love. har-
mony and good will
The trouble in the house started
wnen stone gave to the press a state-
ment that he would accord house
Democrats only such recognition a.
was accorded senate Republicans.
Doerr stood at Stones desk and heard
the ulttmatum. He told of tho ben.
evoient manner in which house Re-
publicans were recognized two years
ago. He asked Stone to change hio
program. Stone only replied that Ne
was subject to . great deal Of prea-
sure and that # looked to him a.
though 1t was the senate's next move.
Senate Didn't Move.
But the senate didn't nave.
Instead It hept right on playing the
game on its home grOundA made it1-
own rules. umpired Its own contests
and paid not the least attention to- the
noise in the grandstand Doerr com
for about one day. The next day
Tom Moxcey of Atchison intimated in
rather veiled and guarded manner
that IL Stone really wanted war, he
had anchored his fleet in the proper
In the meantime there was a. rumor
in the Legislative halls to the effect
that trouble was one of the things
which Governor Capper really did not
want. He preferred peace and tram
this bit of information found its way
to Speaker Stone. Maybe not. He
said only that the cruel press had pre-
cipitated row that didn't exist. And
the now jubilant Mr.. Doerr helped
establish the alibi.
Divide Patronage.
So patronage will he divided in
proportion to representation in the
house. Everyone is happy. The war.
Mr.. Stone assured the house, existed
only In the minds Of a few newspaper
reporters unfamiliar with the ways Of
lofty craftsmanship and quite on the
contrary the utmost cordiality has OBJ
tained.''
To the house, Mr.. Stone said:
Il have been somewhat annoyed by
the persistent reports in the papers
that declaration of war has been
made and that a state of hostility ex-
listed between the Republican and
minority members of this house. Quite
on the contrary the utmost cordialtty
has obtained from the first between
and myself. and 1 have uniformly ac-
corded the minority their quota Of ap-
pOintments on the committees, per-
mitting Mr.. Doerr to select the Demo-.
cratic personnel of each committee. It
is quite true that I suggested to Mr..
Doerr that the same courtesies which
were extended to the minority in this
house ought to be extended to the
minority IN tHe senate. am reu2DV
informed that that courtesy is to 4
very gratifying extent being extended
in the senate to the Republican MEM
bers. and 1 understand that the Re-
publican senators are not complaining
Of their treatment. I say this, not be-
cause of any fear that this house will
be thrown into discord, but because /
do not wish the impression to be cir
culated in the city or the state that we
are not progressing with our work
with the utmost harmony and good
feeling"