The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-16
Nine Amendments Up for Con-
sideratiOn and Debate.
Only Three Can Be Submitted
to People for Approval.
TRY TO CUT DOWN ORATORY
Individual Members Can Argue
5 Minutes on Questions.
Authors of Amendments Given
2 Minutes to Explain Them.

Constitutional provisions are under
bombardment in the house this after
noon under a special order. Nine pro-
posed changes in the constitution were
on the calendar when the house MEM
bers resolved into committee of the
whole to consider the measures. Fol-
lowing a morning fight over rules gov
erning oratory, house members by
unanimous consent adopted the estab-
lshed rules of the house for the days
order.
This afternoon members applied the
elimination process in an effort to de-
termine the proposed amendments
which should be given first considera-
ton. By unanimous consent a tenth
proposed provision for submission to
the voters-the calling of constitu-
tonal convention-was wiped from
the calendar under a motion by Mack
of Harvey. The house action was taxi
en- in view of the vote in the senate
which buried the constitutional con-
vention plan so far this session il
concerned.
Make Debates Short
Early in the day the house had split
over resolution to limit debate in the
committee of the whole. Ostlind of
Mcpherson had sought to inject a new
rule limiting individual debate in COM
m1ttee OF the whole to five minutes for
each member except the author of a
bill or motion. Pending final action
on the new rule, the house applied its
established house rule to committee of
the whole for today's special order. All
OF which had tendency to eliminate
a Roman holiday in discussion of the
constitutional questions
Authors of proposed constitutional
amendments were given two minutes
each in which to explain their resolu-
tons under the new house restriction.
Following the explanat tons and elimi-
nation vote, the house settled back for
a free for all fight concerning the
measures which should go to the peo-
PIE in the 1918 election. Under the
present constitutional provisions
legislature may submit not more than
three proposed amendments in any
one regular general election. Should
the legislature approve more than
three proposed amendments, 1t must
then elect as to the ones which shall
go to the voters for ratification. No
amendments to the constitution were
submitted by the legislature of 1915
Today's calendar of constitutional
provisions included the following:
Proposed Amendments.
Mack provision for submission of
unlimited number of constitutional
amendments at one legislative session.
Three fourths jury verdict in civil
and rnisdemeanor cases as proposed
by Wilmoth of Cloud. A second Jury
measure for amendment to section 8,
bill of rights, relative to three-fourths
jury verdicts.
Executive budget system. The meas
ure is a part of the administration
program and was offered by Mack of
Harvey.
J. Mack resolution providing for in
creased pay for legislative members.
The resolution allows members $500
for each legislative session and re-
moves the fifty-day session provision
An amendment proposed by the
house committee on assessment and
taxation relative to taxation of prop
erty in this state. A similar amend
ment submitted to the voters for ratf-
fication in 1914 was defeated at the
polls.
Stone resolution providing a mill
tax for support of state educational
institutions.
McDougan resolution for thres-
fourths verdict in civil cases.
Wilson provision-reported without
recomm Misunderstanding for home
rule for cities. The measure while
on the calendar, has twice been beat
en- during the present legislative ses-
sion The resolution is one of the
provisions in the program of the Kan
sas League of Municipalities.