The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-26
FIGHT ON TODAY

! stGontinue,i from Page Une.l
| keep the farmers from moving to town |
and that the desire to increase farm
production would be destroyed by the
Amos amendment.
| Finncy Finds Big Hole.
Ffnney of sumner pointed to big,
glazing hole i'll the resolution as pre-
sented He said that while provision
was made that the state might not in
cur debt beyond a million dollars,
/ there was no Limitation as to the
amount of direct taxes which might
be- levied in providing the 80 per cent
' purchase price of farms.
| All of the extravagant claims of
success for the Allen plans of
several weeks ago have disappeared
| It is no longer commended that any
policy can be damned thru the house.
| The lower house many days ago de-
clared its independence. Since the
| Staying of the 'con-con" 1t may have
| changed it's mind regarding several
constitutional proposals. But no one
| has been able to poll the lower leg4s-
| lative body or to make definite and
| certain figures as to its course. For
that reason the fight which opened
this morning is certain to hold state
| wide attention until the final vote is
taken on the various constitutional
questions.
| Every proposal fer a change in the
the constitutional convention resolu
TOMS today on the calendar under
the special order. Ten propositions
are up for consideration. The fight
may be concluded today. But there
is little probability that such will be
the case. The "con-con" fight occu-
pied a week. Under reasonable cal
culation, it seems certain that the
present battle which involves every
constitutional issue advanced by the
| suggested
by individual members, may hold the
floor for several days.
No Party Lines Drawn.
| House Republicans and Democrats
| went into the fight today without
| caucus or attempt at party agree
ment. Except the influence carried
| by the governors message and his
personal appeal, when he went before
| the joint session of the house and
senate several weeks ago, there is
| nothing binding on the individual
membership. Each member will vote
| his convictions and speak for the
| wishes of his constituents as he IN
derStands them.
So far as the state administration
is concerned the fight which opened
today is the most important of the
| present session. The administration
has had three weeks in which to patch
and repair its badly battered lines.
| Loose management and reckless or
Idefeated the constitutional convention
| in the first test. The old air of con-
fidence has left the Allen force. Now
they are out fighting for every vote
I and admit it. Neither side has dis
played evidence of thoro organiza-
ton for today'S tests. In consequence
1 the uncertainty as to the outcome of
the clash adds to the interest which
surrounds the fights.
Il For several days the house has been
as calm as summer breeze. 1t has
- bickered and commended good natured-
, ly as to provisions of various bills and
then has settled back in happy, good
> | natured comfort and voted AYE" on
Il roll call.
See Calm Before Storm.
4 Maybe the calm of the last few
i days has been the quiet before the
9 storm. The lawyer members have
! been on their feet but little in the dis
z cussion of bills considered under gen
2 eral orders. Maybe they have beer
n cording away reserve supplies of mum.
tons for today's big drive. A number
= of house members are known to be
@ opposed to all of the constitutions
h changes proposed by the governor
= Several members oppose the submits
J. sion OF any amendments at this time
| Governor Allen, without making &
!, positive statement, has indicated tina
: he does not expect to send a specia
\ message to the legislature or to ap
pear before the house during the
present discussion. This does no
mean, tho, that he will not talk with
a number of members and that hi:
workers will not be on the job durins
"A the fight
If the house passes the amendment
which the governor has. urged, Their,
j is a chance for the administration tt
y win. The program will then be a
/ least half way thru the legislature
Re Only the senate will be in doubt. Dur
re ing the session. tho, the upper hous,
= has not staged a test on any of tn,
d positive Allen policies.
3. Should the house continue to bacl
20 away from the governors pet mea
- sures, the meeting may as we'll ad
r journ so far as this session of the leg
lie islature is concerned. Observers be
lieve that failure to win the fight thi
week ends the battle for the winter.
) Constitutional Proposals Up.
Ten constitutional questions befor,
Is the legislature under the special orde
include:
-, Cd Finney proposal to amend Sec
VI tons l and 2, Article IL, relative t,
y finance and taxation.
N ing that six amendments may be sub
/ mitted at one session of the legisla
IS ture.
n CD Mulroy provision for tel
Is amendments at one session.
lr ca Hegler proposal for home rul
for cities.
(5) Shideler resolution for three
fourths jury verdict in civil cases.
co Woodland resolution allowing
Of legislators a salary of $500 for tw'
years term.