The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-27

Tnarrin-a margin of two votes in the
senate. This year there are two new
.aces in the upper house. At least
enc OF the two new members is listed
as favorable to the program. That
IT, eD1ber is A. L. Keene of Fort Scott.
speaker of the 1917 house. who sue
ceeos the late Senator Robert Barr.
And Senator Barr opposed the calling
tor Charles S. Huffman, the new adj
1utant general, supported the resolu-
ton, but there is doubt as to the posi-
ton which may be taken b.. O. w.
Sparks, his Democrat successor.
Alien Favorz II.
In spite of any change which may
be made thru the new faces in the
senate. the activities of the new gov
ernor are Of much concern. Two
years ago Allen came to Topeka dur
ing the oreninG days of the session
and worked for the convention resolu
ton. Should Allen seek to put thru
his plan for county government re-
form, it is quite certain that his fight
will be made thru a legislative cam
paign for a constitutional convention.
With the power which a governor is
usually able to assert in a legislative
session. many observers believe Allen
will be able to direct a, sufficient num-
Der of votes to make certain the
adoption of the resolution.
Except in the case of county gov
eminent disturbances. there is really
little opposition to the calling of a
convention.
Fight Prospects Bright.
But with the concern regarding
abolition of county jobs, there is
beautiful prospect for a fight on the
program-even should the new COVER
nor get directly behind it. In fact a
real heated fight over the calling of a
constitutional convention would per-
TO- <rsvv~ IL "a.
to play with the fireworks and burn
his fingers.
No one knows what a constitutional
convention might do. Its authority is
unlimited. OF course the constitution
would go to the people for ratification.
tainty as to the guess of the Kansas
voters as to the action of delegates to
the convention. Opposition to the
plan comes largely from the men and
women who see things-or think they
see them. There is no longer fear that
a convention might slip the prohibit
ton clause from the constitution or
even disturb the suffrage amendment.
But it is the fear that lot of things
not in the constitution at this time
might be injected.
Show Method of Change.
Under the present provisions three
amendments may be submitted at a
by the 1917 legislature and both were
adopted by the voters. But the slow
and easy method of fixing a state con-
stitution doesn't appeal to large
number of people. There is something
of an ingrowing desire to take the
thing apart and insert a number of
new wheels and whirligigs Two
years ago Governor Capper stayed a
safe distance from the constitutional
convention. He was a candidate for
the United States senate and he saw
no need OF going up a side street look
ing for trouble. So the senate held the
line when the impulsive house was
ready to push the thing over
Should Governor Allen go to the
legislature with message asking for
constitutional convention, the trou-
Bile would break out in a. new spot.
The tendency to see things would be
increased because of Aliens former
general desire to abandon the old con-
stltution and start all over. And AL
len fighting for the convention would
open ten foot vein of trouble in To-
peka this winter