The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-10

an effort to centralize the opposition
will work to his favor. They claim a
number of second choice votes. In
other words the Iambertson claims
at this time are to the. effect that the
withdrawal of any two or three of
his present opponents will give Lam
bertson enough second choice votes
to win.
Frank l.. Martin Candidate.
Frank L. Martin of Reno county.
came to Topeka Thursday night and
took chips in the milling. Martin,
caucus, is positive that none of the
men in. the race have enough votes
at this time to insure their election.
His assertion is endorsed by s. A.
Bardwell, of Riley, ]. NJ. Gilman of
Leavenworth and.J. E. Brooks of
Chautauqua, all candidates for the
speakership.
"I don't believe any member has a
license to lay claims to the speaker
ship at this time" said Martin. with
five men in the race, none OF them
can win on the first ballot"
1t is asserted that a number of
members are coming to Topeka I'M
pledged. They may hold the balance
of power. In that event the chances
for a successful pool are increased.
If these men can be divided in their
support of the five candidates now in
the running, speakership dopesters see
a chance for one of the ants in a
long fight. On the other hand a
showing of an overwhelming Lambert
son strength against the second high
candidate on the first ballot, might
give the Brown county member an
easy election on the second roll call.
New Members q Factor.
Many of the new members are anx-
ious to vote right on the speaker
ship. Some of these members want
committee assignments and are anx-
ious to land close to the throne. They
want to land with the winner. Most
of these members have no personal
interest in the fight. They are willing
to vote for Lambertson, one of the
men in the possible pool or dark
horse. Their one concern is to put
their money on winner.
Lambertson is claiming So votes.
That is within one vote OF winning in
bers. If the combination can with
hold a few Lambertson votes on the
first roll call, their chances to win
have increased. In short, If the first
ballot fails to show the much adver-
tised Lambertson strength. Lambert
son stands to lose some of the weak
brethren on the next count.
Herington Man a Ozark Horse"
D. E. Lamb, a well known merchant
of Harrington is dark horse" prob
ability for speaker. Lamb was q rep
resentative, two years ago and indi-
Gated considerable legislative ability.
He is not of the f1amboyant type, he
doesn't jam the legislative mill with
useless bills and is level headed and
he is of distinctly constructive type.
Scores of members of the house, dis
gusted with the whoopela of the out
and-out candidates are flocking to the
Lamb banner which really is no BAN
ner at all but an undercurrent of
sentiment.
Each train is bringing new men,
bers to Topeka. Tonight and Satur-
day will probably see some real mill
ing for the speakership. 1t is the
real fight in the legislative organiza-
ton. s-
In the contest for chief clerk of
the house, friends of Clarence Miller,
Ike Lambert and Arthur McNay are
active. 1t has been rumored that
Lambert may switch to the race
for secretaryship of the senate. But
Lambert hasn't confirmed this report.
Without Lambert running for the Sec
retaryshfp, Emmett George of Council
Grove is expected to win the election
probably without a contest