The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-08
House Republicans Want Cap
per's Plain Suggestions.
Committee VIII Inquire as to
What He Desires.
MAY GET DOWN TO BUSINESS
Caucus Anxious to Grind Out
Real Legislation.
Advice and Instruction to the
Wavering Members.

Republican house members held
rally round the flag, boys" meeting
in the supreme court chamber wed
nesday night. It was the first whls-
per meeting of the year. Working
under extensive rules, restrictions ana
suggestions the house members rallied
with the wild and enthusiastic ardor
Of a country town kid at his first sane
Fourth of July.
Doors to the caucus were locked and
barred against public interference.
Taylor, of WabaunSee, head of the
house employees committee, was d1-
rected to maintain patrol against all
reporters. Members of the caucus
were solemnly impressed with the
sacred seriousness of the meeting and
the demand for secrecy.
Many house members went into the
caucus with mutteringS ana questions
as to the course they were expected
to pursue in the present session. They
had spent more than a month in To-
peka, had passed a few minor laws
and cluttered up the records with
many motions and much oratory
Now they came TO the house or con-
fession to gather new advice ana IN
Governor Capper'S message was one
of the things that puzzled the mem
bers. A. L. Wilmoth of Cloud, eau
Gus chairman, told the members that
the governors recommendations
moths assurance was too general.
The members wanted something more
definite and specific.
Keene Tries to Explain.
Various members-even Speaker
Keene, who hopes to write the next
message to the egislature-tried to
explain. Members wanted to know
just what Governor Capper meant
when he asked for laws looking to a
CT cd nf q nj
One member assured the doubtfuls
that it was a demand for reforms in
the court house. But the caucus
wasn't satisfied. So other members
said the message meant changes in
the state government. There were
others who assured the caucus that 1t
meant the city manager plan and one
man government in the city hall.
House members have not been in
Topeka a month for nothing. They
don't intend to spend the winter and
spring specializing as TO the governor S
members will this week call on the
governor and ask him to diagram his
''simplified' form of government.
Republican members not in direct
communication with the throne, ex-
pected a decision on the constitutional
questions on special order in the house
today. But Wilmoth and Keene steer
ed the caucus away from further di-
vision, failing to commit members as
to the days program.
Speaker Keene codGled the crouch
of the dissatisfied by telling them not
to worry about the resolution for a
constitutional convention. Unless
they can enlist more votes than are
now apparent, senate supporters of a
constitutional convention will not be
Keene. Then he added: There is no
need of the houses taking up time by
sending the resolution back to be kill
ed a second time
New Vein of Sorrow.
Then Frank L. Martin of Reno
county, opened a new vein of sorrow.
With the doors closed and the re-
porters barred, Martin told the Re-
publican house members they should
be honest with themselves and look
facts in the face Martin talked about
the primary and he talked simple. M
derstandable English
I'VE should simply look facts in
the face" said Martin. 1.-The people
are demanding a change in our sys-
tenn of nominating candidates. They
are demanding, too, that we get away
from newspaper dictation and domin-
alton of primaries and selection of
candidates. l really think some &C
ton will be expected from this ses-
sion Probably a party primary. with
expense borne by the political parties
would be satisfactory These prima-
ries could name delegates to a state
convention which would nominate our
state candidates.
By one-sided vote the members
agreed to support the bill calling for
nine hour day for women. They will
also vote for the Mack bill providine
Tor near Massa chusetts ballot The
labor committee compensation bill
VIII receive the support of most OF
the members of the caucus
NO action was taken concerning
caucus plans following the visit of the
committee of five to the governors
office. At 1920 Taylor of Wabaun-
see assured the members that the pub
lie was not looking, that the report
erS had gone home and that passa ge
TO the elevators was clear. The eau
Gus then adjourned