The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-09
House Democrats Are Desper-
ate-Willing to COneede.
Fear Republicans VIII Repeal
Massachusetts Ballot.
WILL SUPPORT CAPPER STRING
Lower House May "Swap" on
Constitutional Convention.
Trouble in Store for Bourbon
Leader, Thompson, Morton.

House Democrats are desperate.
They are willing to play the Capper
string or consider trades on any pend
ing legislation if the administration
will sidetrack the bill to repeal the
Massachusetts ballot law. If the con-
stitutional convention goes thru the
house, the administration will prob
ABLY accept an offer made this week
by the house minority when it pro-
posed to trade it's support of thirty
seven votes for the constitutional con-
vent1on If repeal of the ballot law be
sidetracked.
Just now the house administration
leaders are holding the Democrats at
arms length. They NAV need the
bourbon votes on an emergency prop
osltlon and the ballot bill is good trad
ing material. The Republican caucus
agreed to support the ballot bill this
week, but it was just a general agree
ment and of course the Republicans
might hold another caucus and back
up.
Right at this time, however. the
proposition of the Democrats to save
/ the constitutional convention is ex-
citing legislative leaders Unless the
house Democrats hear from the folks
at home and change their minds about
pending legislation, the situation at
this time means efforts will be made
to perfect the proposed trade if the
convention resolution slips thru the
senate. In the meantime Republican
members favorable to the convention
measure, will seek to withhold action
on the Mack bill to repeal the Massa-
chuSetts ballot law. The Massa chusetts
ballot law is a relic of the Democrat
session of 1913 and seems to inspire
mouse BourbonS to a degree OF activity
and general interest in surround
ings.
He Talked Too Nuch
Efforts of the Democrats to cover
up their plans for a trade might have
met with success had not Thomson
OF Morton county. minority floor
leader, discussed his program with
too many members In a Jealous de-
sire to save the ballot law, he be-
came almost general in his proposals
Now there is trouble in store for
Mr.. Thompson. The farmers union
with which the Morton county mem
per Is animated, is outwardly. openly
and positively opposed to a constitu-
tonal convention. For Mr.. Thomp-
son to direct a trade with the admin
lstrauon in coup to save the con-
st1tuional convention. would bring to
Mr.. Thompson's desk some harsh and
clustering expressions from the union
members in the short grass country
Even now the gentleman from Morton
is in questionable standing with the
union. He voted against their pet
measure on the floor of the house
and was largely responsible for the
defeat of the cooperative banking
bill. Union members took a rap at
| Thompson in speeches in the house
this week. Now the Bourbon house
| leader is carrying the burden of offer
ing to trade legislation in which his
people are vitality interested
| But the personal affairs of Mr.
| Thompson are merely Incidental
News of the offer to the administra-
ton house members, however. is a
matter of real concern in political
| circles. 1t means that the fight over
! the constitutional convention in the
| senate will be renewed by both sides.
| When the measure goes to the house.
| the administration will hold an OPP
tional 81 votes from the north side
| of the house. If they are accepted
/ the administration must suspend ac-
| ton on the ballot law. - the propo-
| sition be rejected, the administration
must then explain its reasons for re-
! fuSing to deliver the necessary votes
| for a measure which it advocated.