The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-04

Governor Allen answered the aSSer-
tons that have been made that there
is no demand for g constitutional con-
vention.
The charge that Kansas is facing
the menace OF Bolshevism and that
this menace should make the state
avoid tampering with the constitution
until it has passed was answered in
the governors most eloquent manner.
No Bolshevism Here.
"Bolshevism is a great big word
that the world has captured out of the
war; he said. But I thank God there
are no Bolsheviki in Kansas The
Bolshevikl were the tools of the car.
They had no land, no homes and when
the car blew up so high that they do
not know whether or not he has yet
come down, the Bo1sheYiki hurried to
grab the land and, urged on by ire
sponsible leaders. these men who had
been made irresponsible by the sys-
tenn that had used them, caused the
disorders and the chaos under which
Russia is now struggling. If there is
going to be unrest in Kansas; If there
| is going to any tint of Bolshevism, the
only thing to do is to meet it squarely
and when we meet it squarely /
have no fear but that it will be found
there is more constructive intelligence
| in Kansas than there is destructive I'M
| intelligence. 1 have no fear of the
| judgment of the majority of the peo-
! pie of this state on matters of govern
ment, or any other matters"
'.Red Flag in Peoples Face"
when you say a man can't have a
| right to vote, you wavethe red flag in
the people. This is why the people
| organize and take their rights.
The people may vote against a con-
| stitutional convention. I don't know.
I only ask they be given a right to
vote upon 1t. It takes a majority of
the people voting to get a new CON
stitution. am not complaining. 1t is
all right.
| "a very great many people must be
interested. You can extend the OPP
| portunity for campaign of educa-
| ton. Then the people can say what
they want. Is that asking too much?
| You have heard it, said let the leg
islature get a chance at you and they
will rob you. That is the old bugaboo.
1 don't believe it. 1t is your. privilege
! to see that this old bugaboo is re-
| moved-that the basis of legislative
| representation is most just and equi-
| table. You can give to the people a
| chance to get better acquainted with
| our government.
| Keep Good Provisions.
| at have no doubt that a constitu-
| tional convention would retain the
| wise and better provisions of our pres
| ent constitution. The senate has very
| wisely proposed resolution that the
! people snail SOLS upon d new consul
| tuition section by section. I favor it.
This is not a new problem. You
| may say it disturbs judicial decisions.
| That is pettyfogging. A total of 122
| new constitutions have been drafted in
| this country. Not once was the right
| of judicial procedure interfered with.
Indiana, from which we borrowed the
| major portion OF the constitution writ
ten by our forefathers fifty eight years
ago, is now writing a new Constitution.
no 1fy~Iy nd Will
find that the people are not afraid to
| rewrite constitutions.
isn't it right that we have con-
stitution covering the demands of our
cities, the protection of herds, the af-
fairs of banks and intangible property
| which we did not have fifty-eight
| years ago? Isn't it time to permit the
people to relieve themselves from this
ancient document? 1t will give to the
people an expression on matters which
they cannot now disturb. leave 1T
| with you" -
Acting under the joint invitation of
the house and senate, Governor Allen
appeared on the floor of the house at
IL o'clock this morning. He was es-
corted by a committee from the two
| houses.
Under a special rule of the house,
the governor was not only extended
the privilege of the floor, but was per-
mitted to speak at such length as he
i might desire. All formal rules of the
lower legislative body as regards time
limit for debate were suspended.
Martin Leads Opposition.
Judge Frank L. Martin of Reno
county will lead the fight on the con-
vention resolution in its present form.
Before the governor appeared this
morning, Judge Martin stated that he
had made no effort to poll the house
| regarding its final action on the reso-
luton. Other opponents of the con-
| An 81 hold he
pledges of fifty-three house members
j that they would vote against the reso-
luton on final roll call. That is ten
votes more than necessary to block
| final passage.
Friends of the convention plan as
. serted that they would win, altho they
; admitted that victory would come only
after hard fight. 1t was declared
, that eight house members who OPP
posed the resolution last week would
line up with the administration on roll
! call. ~ -.
Administration followers were juI1f-
liant when the invitation came to the
governor to address the joint session
of the legislature. They were certain
, his ability to fercefully present the
tneed of a new convention would bring
| recruits to their cause and would bat
ter down the opposition which last
, week smashed the convention organi.
! cation and threatened defeat in the
, first test of the governors policies
! | Not only did administration supporters
expect to win new favor among houst
: members, but they believed the gov
ernor's address would win favor
: among upper house members ane
: pave the way for passage of the reso
/. luton in the senate.
! Governor Allen is the first Kansa.
!, executive to appear before joint leg
islative session with the privileges o
+ the floor during the debate on an i'm
fNrfra 30
= of years. He entered the fight toda,
r with the rights and privileges of {
y member but with the authority O
: governor. His wonderful ability as
/ speaker and his tact and cunning il
= debate gave new hope and assurance