The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-09
THIRTY-SEvENTH
ANNUAL SESSION
ON IN FULL BLAST
Oath of Office Administered to
165 Members at Noon.
First BOmbardment of Bills Is
Expected Tomorrow.
DEMAND FOR SHORT SESSION
Already SOlOns Talk of Quitting
When Time Is Up.
Governor Capper's Message To
Be Read Tomorrow.
Already SOlOns Talk of Quitting
When Time Is Up.
Governor Capper's Message To
Be Read Tomorrow.

The Kansas legislature officially
launched the 1917 session at noon to-
day when the oath of office was adj
ministered to 125 house members and
40 senator's Aim 5st immediately the
lawmakers began to whet knives for
various bills and sat down to await
the reading of Governor Capper's mes
sage. The message will go to the leg
islature Wednesday morning. It's
reading will be followed by the first
bombardment of bills and a settling
down to the actual business of law
making.
OF course the legislators may
change their mind after they have
spent a couple of weeks in Topeka.
BY that time they may like their jobs
better Just now, tho. the solons are
certain they will consider the ifnpor-
tant measures on the administration
program. pass appropriation bills and
go home. Among both the old and
new members there is a demand for a
short session. But a demand at the
opening of a legislative session some
times has little effect on a lawmaking
body that is watching a hopper full
of pet legislation. The demand for a
short session, however. will be urged
most strongly by the men who advo-
cate increased legislative salaries.
III 1SiOckS Oh 1cH.
Legislators today took the oath of
office in customary blocks of ten.
Then came the selection of seats-in
the house the first selections going to
the speaker and speaker pro tenn
Both houses observed the esta blished
rule of seniority in seat allotments
Republican first termers were permit
ted to select seats after awards had
been made to older members. Then
came the Democrats-meek. lowly
humble and ubmissive-drawing such
seats as were left. The remaining
seats were all on the north side of the
house and the obscure minority was
advised it might furnish a winter wind
shield for administration members.
Immediately following the seating
of members, messages were exchanged
by the house and senate advising each
other they were ready for business
The senate sent greetings and felici-
its love to the senate. Both houses
issued assurances they We're ready for
business Then a message went to
Governor Capper announcing that the
legislature was in session.
Caucus action Ratified.
Both houses formally ratified the
work of the caucuses held Monday
afternoon and evening. 1t was unnec-
essary for the minority to hold serious
Publications. But in the case of the
Republicans it was different 1t is
the Republicans in the house and SEN
ate who are to do things in the pres
ent session and the position of the
minority will be only the courtesy
which goes from the dominant to the
minority party By the same token,
the big jobs and desirable commit
tee assignments are in control of the
Republicans.
The house and senate will receive
Governor Capper's message Wednes-
day morning. First Introduction of
bills Will also come Wednesday morn
ing Before the end of the week Drac-
tically all committee assignments will
have been made and the thirty-sey-
enth legislature will begin the recon-
mendation of bills referred to com
mittee.