The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-19

moved ana the JOBS distributed among
workers in the party in power. AL
ready the scalp of one Democrat has
been demanded. He is George II. Ross,
state grain inspector Removal of j.
n. Herr. head of the state reformatory
at Hutchinson. may be demanded and
removal of other Democrats may be
sought.
The matter of appointments is be-
ing checked squarely up to Governor
Allen. A petition asking the removal
of Ross has already been extensively
signed. 1t may go to the governor this
week. Not only is the removal of
Ross demanded, but he appointment
of Sen. ]. S. Hart of Randall. Jewell
county, probably will be asked. House
leaders. as well as senate Republicans,
are said to be strongly behind Hart,
who is not a candidate, but will prob
ably take the appointment if rendered.
Action by Republican legislators at
this time is perhaps the first effort
ever attempted by party organiza-
ton in a Kansas law making body to
dictate appointments or removals. The
protests against Democrat appoint
ments We're loud and frequent in the
legislature of two years ago. This
winter tho, the Republicans want to
smash the custom. Their course has
been the circulation of a petition ask
ing that Ross be removed.
Not Pleasing Spectacle.
"When Governor Hodges was in
office, you can bet he named Repub-
lie ms only where the law specifically
provided that Republicans must be
named" said one house member to-
day. THE only jobs the Republicans
received during the Democrat admin
istration was on the bipartisan boards
and commissions where there was no
alternative. It isn't a pleasing spec
tacle now to see some of the Hodges
appointees retained in office year after
year by a Republican state admins
tration.'
One rumor in the legislative halls
today was to the effect that an answer
would be awaited before the legis-
lature acted on the appropriation bills
for the departments presided over by
the Democrats. Several legislators
who signed the petition, however,
were opposed to any course that would
cripple a department. The matter
will probably be taken directly to
Governor Allen with demand that
lie select some strong Republican for
the place.
Senator Hart, listed as the probable
successor to Ross, is not candidate
for the place. He has stated, accord
ing to reports, that he would accept
the appointment should the house and
senate members carry out their plans
and insist that he be named as Ross
successor. Senator Hart has served
four years as state senator from the
| Thirty-third district. He wasa1so a
member of the house during the 1913
| Is sessions.
| Spill Hodges Secrets.
| Inspector Ross was named by Gov
ernor Hodges after the 1913 legislative
session. Ross was then a member
of the house from Rice county. On
various occasions after his appoint
ment it was charged that Ross <'spil1-
| ed" some of the Hodges administra-
ton secrets. When Hodges was beaten
in 1914, Governor Capper reappointed
| Ross and he was again named in
1917.
Superintendent Herr, whose scalp
may be demanded under the new
appointee. He was named when M f.
Amrine of Council Grove was ousted
| in 1913 and was twice reappointed by
Governor Capper. Herr previously
served in the legislature from Barber
county.
Petitions asking for a Democrat
house cleaning will probably be pre-
sented to Governor Allen as soon as
he returns from Washington. Gov
| ernor Allen went to Washington last
week to testify before the senate in
vestigating committee as to losses OF
| the Thirty-fifth DIVISION Should the
/ governor balk when the question Is
presented, the remainder of the legis-
lative session might become highly in
| teresting. The Republican house and
senate members are not inclined to
joke about the matter. On the other
hand, the minority members of the
| two houses may seek to offset the dis
! turbance by presenting the governor
with counter petitions asking that ''ef-
! ficiency" be recognized in making ap-
pointments and that the faithful hold
overs be retained in service.