The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-31
Opposition to Constitutional
Convention in Upper House.
Democrats and Ten Repub-
licanS in Doubtful Class.
SNYDER UNCERTAIN OF FUTURE
Fears Growing Radical Influ-
ence May Be in Power.
Malone Sees Interior Motive
Behind Resolution.

1t makes little difference what the
house of representatives does to the
Governor" Trigg-Governor Allen con-
stitutional convention proposal. If
the house does not put it under the sod
where it can push up the daisies then
the senate will tackle the job and will
give bond guaranteeing its compile
ton.
This is the opinion expressed by a
number of leading Republican mem
bers of the upper house who are not
overly enthusiastic for new consti-
tuition. OF course. there are oppo-
nents of the resolution IN the senate
who would rather see the house do
the killing-and it is asserted that
some of these have taken an active in
terest in the house proceedings in an
effort to avoid going on record. But,
if it is necessary, the senate is per-
fectly capable of providing the neces-
sary Verdun. it is said.
1t is the general opinion that prac-
tically all of the Democrats of the sem
ate will stand against the resolution
when IT comes to a vote. If all ten
do. the resolution cannot lose more
than three votes. including Wark,
from the Republican side and receive
the required two-thirds majority. 1t
will take twenty-seven votes in the
senate to put it thru.
Ten Republicans Doubtful
And there are at least ten Republi-
can senators who are being placed in
the doubtful class by those who OPP
pose the resolution. A majority of
these have not expressed their definite
stand but it is felt that at least four
will be unable to see their way clear
to vote for a convention. Among
those who are classed as doubtful is
Senator Snyder of Leavenworth. He
stated today that he had not fully
made up his mind, but that he really
does not see the need of a convention
and fears that if there should be a
need this is not the proper time to go
into such matters.
we are entering upon reconstruc-
ton era" Senator Snyder said. mo
man can tell what the next few years
will bring forth. Salaries and wages
and the cost of living have to be ad-
iusted and industries of every kind
have to get on a new basis. We hope
to make the changes in an orderly
manner. but that there is labor unrest
in the country is a fact that cannot
be denied or lodged and that there
is a certain spirit of Bolshevism in
the air is admitted by all. If business
conditions should become chaotic and
disturbances should temporarily place
the fanatic and the -ultra-radical in
control of things it would be most dis
astrous to undertake to make a new
constitution at such a time"
Getty Would Be Cautious.
Senator Getty, altho he has not
openly committed himself, holds about
the same ideas and believes now is q
time when every precaution should be
taken against the possible dangers OF
chaos. Senator Montee has not def
nitely expressed himself, but he adj
mits not one of his constituents has
urged him to support the convention
proposal. Senator Milligan also has
stated that he believes this is no time
to tamper with the constitution and il
is believed Senators Delaney and Smith
feel about the same way. Senator
Satterthwaite is counted as absolutely
opposed to a convention. Senator
Price is the big enigma. Aside from
the fact that he has opposed a consti
tutiondl convention in the past there
is nothing to indicate what stand h
will take this time.
On the Democratic side there i:
probably no more bitter opponent o