The Topeka state journal., 1916-12-26
PLUMS TO "vETS"
Old Timers Lined Up for Legis-
IatiYe LeadershipS.
The Speakership Jobs Are the
Most Sought After.
EEENE CLAIMS HOUSE GAVEL
Hoffman, of Cherokee, Pres
ident Pro Tenn of Senate.
Layton Likely to Land House
Temporary Speakership.

old timers in the state legislature
are to take the big prizes in comnlttee
assignments during the next session.
Already the men who have benefits OF
a seniority in either the senate or
house are looking about for the places
that suit them best and slight recognl-
ton will be left for the new men VINO
come to Topeka.
In the house a half dozen men VINO
have the prestige of a FORMER Session
ito their credit are looking about Tor
chance to win the pro TEN speaker
ship which carries possible future
advancement to speaker. Nearly an
Of the Democrats who served IN the
session of 1915 want the minority
election as speaker, speaker pro Tern
or floor leader. In the upper mouse
Senators C &. Huffman and Francis
c. Price will probably be allowed to
select their own places without DIS
pute. They are at the top IN the mat
ter OF previous service
The House PIums.
House members are giving their
greatest thought to the speakership
fight. A NJ. Keene of Fort Scott, re-
turning for fifth term i'll the house,
claimed n clear majority in the speak
ership fight Keene's opponent is
Representative Gilman OF Leaveh-
worth.
In the matter of a speakership.
Ford county probably kicked herself
out of the honor in the recent cleo
ton. BY placing prejudice, Jealousy
and factional feeling above public
welfare and political expediency, the
voters defeated l.. J. Pettyjohn, who
was a decidedly strong speakershlp
contender The county elected a
Democrat to an Overwhelmingly Re-
publican house and will spend the
winter watching it's member sit with
hi ha hPCaDEa
come a cog in the house organization
that directs the legislative program.
Walter A Layton, of osborne. is
regarded as the strongest candidate
in the fight for speaker pro tenn
Sampson, of Cove; Bardwell. of Riley,
and Travis of Allen, are listed among
the candidates for the pro tenn job.
Thompson, of Morton. Democrat. IS a
candidate for minority nomination
for speaker. Hershberger, of Kiowa'
may also contest for the honor that
carries neither power nor influence.
Committee chairmcn.
Frank /. Martin, of Reno; A. L.
Wilmoth. of cloud, and Ben EndreS
Of Leavenworth, may be the candidates
for chairmanship of the judiciary
committee. Lines on the ways and
means committee fight are not defi-
nitely drawn. altho a half dozen 1915
members are casting longing glances
at the place at the head of the big
committee In the house organization,
w. NJ Miller of Pratt, is seemingly
holding the inside track. He stepped
aside in the fight with 1. E. Lambert
jr. in 1915 and is believed to be a
favorite candidate at this time.
Senator c. s. Huffman, of Cherokee
county. will doubtless be president pro
tenn of the state senate. Senator Huff
man is the oldest member of the legis-
lature in point of service. He is re-
turning for his fifth four-year term,
has been at the head of the senate
ways and means committee and con-
sistent worker in various sessions.
When Senator Ninton Stillings of
Leavenworth stepped aside, Senator
Francis c. Price, of Clark county, be-
came the second man in the senate
in point of service. He will doubtless
be reelected to the head of the judi
ciary committee without a fight.
Wilson Wants Place.
Senator Walter f. Wilson, of Wash
ington county, is a candidate for
chairman of the ways and means COM
mittee. He will probably encounter
OPPOSITION in his fight, but because of
his service in the sessions of 1885
is regarded as formidable candidate
and probable winner.
-Four candidates will contest for the