The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-12
PLAN HITS A SNAC.
Eawyers Say Aliens Tenantry
Scheme Is Unconstitutional.
Two or Possibly Three Amend
ments Would Be Required.

Governor Aliens farm tenantry
plan has hit a snag.
After outlining a plan to push the
farm reform measure thru the iegis-
ature as statutory provision,
friends of the bill have bumped
against the constitution. The proposed
measure has been inspected by dozen
Able lawyers. Now the jury has re-
turned a verdict against the bill. The
lawyers have decreed that the estab-
Iishment of state building and loan
system would cause the state to en-
cage in business and that such actiV-
tiles are prohibited under the consti
tutional provisions which says the state
snail never engage in internal inn
proVement.
AS a result of the present situation
1t will be necessary for Governor AL
len to urge his program as constitu-
tional amendment. 1t may require two
Hpossibly observation-disclosures to the
constitution to put in operation the
governors plan as only three amend
5nents may be submitted at one time
unless one of the three be one permit
hing more than three, say four to six
or eight.
Some form of modified constitu-
hional convention may be urged. No
attempt it is stated, will be made to
push thru the wide open convention
plan. Certain provisions of the pres
ent constitution are to be restricted
from consideration of the convention.
If the house and senate accept the
modified convention plan, the fight in
the campaign next year may be made
on the convention issue.
Should the Democrats adhere to the
position they took in the house, the
convention plan next year might be
made party issue. However, the
house Democrats early in the session
voted unanimously to support the adj
Aninistration resolution for an unre-
stricted convention. The house fight
tho, drove the Democrats away from
The resolution.
49, Revive Fight Immediately.
-sffoNernor Allen and his friends are
said to be. convinced that the farm
tffiantry plan cannot be established
NJ the mere enactment of law. In
iew~of the fact that a constitutional
Change must be made-possibly sew
efai constitutional chang
must be made to submit say, two
amendments covering the land ten
Entry, and even third, altho the
6hird might be one increasing the
rumber to be submitted at one time
10 six or more.
1t is said that Governor Allen has
hot yet been thoroly convinced that
his constitutional convention idea has
been. killed dead
Il He and some Of his friends who
have favored a new constitution seem
~ be hoping that they may get thru
@ measure to hold what they call a
t9nodified new constitutional conven-
ZION which would permit the old,
fnost approved sections to remain I'M
disturbed and have Limited new
Constitution
~ This proposition, 1T seems to the
Aate journal. is absurd. Kansas could
Marcely hold constitutional conven-
r Bon to 60 only certain things. any
more than you can hold one legisla-
filre to be limited in it's measures to
The action of a previous legislature.
q If This paper understands the tenn
per of the present house and senate it
Isl opposed to all of the enormous eX-
perse, the turmoil, the lobby from
Nery portion of the country, the pull
Ms and hauling that would be sure to
fhsult in any constitutional convention,
saindted or unlimited"
IA This legislature has evidently made
Gear the fact that if Governor Allen
sishes to promptly carry thru his
farm tenantry and other plans he must
10 it thru the submission by this
legislature of three amendments that
ln so before the people at the next
general election, one of which may
npssibly be an amendment to increase
1he number to be submitted from
three to six or more.
~ Governor Allen can accomplish
shese things if he will recognize that
khe senators and members of the
Kansas legislature have convictions
Apon this subject and have pointed
The way for the governors procedure
a. accomplish his hearts desire; name.
hi, by amendments to the constitution
and not by constitutional convention
any sort.
The governor has friends, includ
hlgs this paper for his reforms. bu
BOT for CONGRATULATIONS o.
limited. ''-Editor State Journal
Shawnee Camp No. $500 NJ. w A.
Every member requested to be pres