The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-01
Possible Organization Of
House Is Matter Of Great
est Uncertainty.
SPEAKERSHlP SPLIT
UPSETS DEMOCRATS
Caucus Of Republican Sena-
tors Harmonious and
Nominations Made.

helena, Dec. 3l.--(Spectal COrrc-
spondence. )-Thev're off. The grand
old dope" was flying thick and fast
around the Placer hotel today ana the
veriest tyro as regards matters legis-
lative would have had little trouble in
guessing that the bicameral legislative
body OF the state Of Montana was OFT
on its biennial 60-day run.
BY the nomination Of Judge J, T..
O'Conncr Of Park county. for the
sponkership, the afternoons dope with
regard to the possibility Of a comrro-
mise candidate In the Democratic or
ranization Of the house was upset.
Mr.. O'Corror was nominated m the
fist ballot. hut hts nomination caused
the withdrawal of four Democratic
members which, without real,gnrcnt,
would allow the Republicans to or
Canize the house. Representatives
Clarence G. Davis Of Teton county NJ.
Selstran OF Valley county, A. u Sands
Of Valley county and B c.. White Of
Ferwua county are the four who de-
t'deu W NSFeEHEu VIC ieWOrF7uC
caucus and refused 10 he bourd ny
its selection. Tom Arthur former
chairman Of tho state Democratic COM
m'ttee, insists that the Democrats will
speaker, favorable tn tho interests OF
.he farmers will aure,v he selected
Farmers untrown Quantity.
whnt atard viii the representa- tives
~ the farmer. take with reference 10
the sreakershin Of O'Cnnncr2 This
wns the rrndominate crv around the
lobby Of tho Placer and tho general
indication is that Tiny will surrort
Republican candidate. provided he is
satisfactory to tho Democratic hold
outs. Again tho dopo is that this
seems to be the gavartte candidate here
this evening for 'hn Roruh'ican romi-
nation Mr. HirrIna missed his train
ard az several other representa- tives
traina the Republican cancus of the
house Of renrnsentativcs mot elected
,oormarent officers md then adjourned
until tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
svmra.h,vers With the Farmer In
sur~enta declare that the Republican
caucus tomorrow will disregard the
"rerulara" and their nttampt to name
their candidate ard that thev hive
,,,,f ct ~ In, ha
side ~ tho house to force the nominal
t'on of nn ''F.rnitv" mar. One side
saws they can. the other that they can-
not. md until tho test of strength
comes tomorrow montrp " is going 70
bo diffic,,lt 70 state dofinitelv which
aide has the urper hand.
Representatives. Scott Of Rir Horn,
Griffin cf Rlnire cotter Of BROAD
water Harhert Of F'nthead podds of
Fiathend. Jones OF phi,,ins Mcdonald
Of Teton. Eaton Of Yellowstone and
McClorv Of Toole, are the Rar,shlican
representatives who re snid TO be ac-
certnh'e tn the irsnrgert element.
Deadlock Chance Good.
n there are no defectiors from the
ranks Of the Republicans or Demo-
Gratis. the chance for n deadlock seems
very rood The Republicans may
seize the opportunity to elect speak
or by switching to ore of the eight
men acceptable to the Society of
Equity. 1t Is not thought that this
win be done as the regulars" are very
much opposed to dictation on the part
of the Democratic insurgents All
manner Of suggestions for the breaking
Of deadlock have been made. Prom
irent among these methods is the flip-
ping Of a coin to see whether the "reg-
niar' Democrats or Republicans make
the switch which will allow them to
perfect an organization. The interest
row centers on the postponed Repub-
lican caucus tomorrow. The Repub-
lican caucus of the house last night
elected G. c. Baxter Of Meagher county
permanent chairman and Clifton H
Rurnworth Of Rosebud. permanent sec
retary. The caucus was opened by
Representative Harold Blake OF Deer
Lodge county. who is senior membe.
Of the house.
The Democratic senators-Scaliztne
that there was no char sc Of Repub-
liean corflict--held very short and
sweet meeting at which Senator Dar
q. O'Shea OF Carbon county was Sc.
iected as Democratic caffuISfate fol
president protein. No slate wa,
named.
The vote for speaker on the flrs