The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-05
House Committee of Whole
Recommends 1t FavOrably.
But Allen Forces Still Need
Votes To Win 1t Over.
FIGHTING WAS BITTER TODAY
Speaker LambertsOn Engaged
in Row With Members.
Evidence That He Has Been
Soliciting State Support.

BY a vote of 50 to 49, the house
committee Of the whole at noon to-
day recommended the constitutional
convention resolution for passage and
checked it up to third reading without
further amendment or debate. The
vote for the resolution was fifteen
short of enough to pass the measure
finally by the required two-thirds. All
except seven house members voted on
Endres's motion to recommend the
resolution for passage.
Vituperative house members staged
the hottest bate of the season dur
ing the final hour of argument.
Speaker Lambertson dumped load
of scrap iron in the house machinery
and was under fire b some of his
strong committee chairmen as a result
of the attack which was launched
against opponents of the resolution.
on the roll call in committee of the
whole, opponents of the resolution
showed the greatest strength they had
been able to muster at any stage or
the fight. Friends of the resolution,
however. went to lunch hoping that
they would win ocer some of the op-
position on the final test of strength.
Used Platform Argument.
Foster, of Ness, chairman of the
taxation committee, and Simpson, of
Mcpherson. head of the ways and
means committee. led the days fight
on the resolution. Foster declared
there was no demand for a conven-
ton and he opposed the efforts of
house members to pass the buck"
and place the responsibility on the
voters.
1T was Simpson. tho. who pulled
the Republican platform on Governor
Il III
Il was in meeting in the National
hotel the night before the party coun-
ell when they wrote the tentative state
PLATFORM, said Simpson. Repre-
sentatives of the governor were pres
ent in that meeting. The very men
now most insistent on a constitutional
convention said. Don't mention it in
the platform. Forget it
Did these men think they had a
better chance to lead you to the gov
ernor's office this winter and whip
you in line and push this thru the
legislature aud before the people? If
not, why did they duck in the last
campaign. I am opposed to any policy
of bridging the suffrage of the people
of Kansas who can grow strong only
by choosing the men who shall ad-
minister the laws of our state. Adopt
this resolution and next year we will
have party strife where there should
the national administration next year
rather than trying to use the party
whip on the people"
Graham of Jackson said he had heard
from the chamber of commerce at
Holton. The members wanted a pro-
vision for highway building. But they
also voted unanimously against the
convention plan.
There is no leash or agreement
governing minority members" was the
statement of Miles Mulroy, minority
leader Each may vote his Judgment.
The caucus agreement is off. l am
against the resolution"
Kansas City Star Influence.
''Why did the Democrats change %
demanded Speaker Lambertson.
Mulroy; 'I'n answer that by read
ing to you from q letter which came
to me. This letter asks if the demand
for this convention is coming up from
the people or down from the Kansas
City Star
Lambertson: Il want to say to the
Republican members of the house that
the 10000 majority given Governor
Allen binds US to support his princi-
pies"
represents Governor Aliens peculiar
ideas of government"
Iambertson: 'It was a tremendous
majority for his principles"
Foster: Il believe he received his
majority in spite of his peculiar ideas
rather than in support of them"
Lambertson: We'll. then, we can
do no less than to pass the buck back
TO the people,"
Ireland Irishes Up.
Right here Ireland of Woodson took
chips in the game. And Mr.. Ireland
was in an unpleasant frame of mind
My people have passed the buck
m of
them," said Ireland. Then he referred
to g letter which Speaker Lambertson
had sent to his constituents asking
them to line the Woodson representa-
ttves up before Tuesday of this week,
Il want to say to Speaker Lambert
son and anyone else outside of nv dis
trlct that it is none of their business
what do. That's all L have to saw.
but L am as strong as horse radish
against this resolution"
Lambertson: DO 1 interpret this
a; a threat? Did I do anything un-
lawful?''
Ireland: Il don't think this matter
between my people and myself is any
of your business"
Lambertson: IT hope we have back
bone and are not jelly fish,
ireland: You bet. If you think |
haven't back bone just try me-"
Speaker a Trouble Maker.
Then Lambertson took another shot
And that opened a new barrel of gooey
trouble.
Il understand the chairman of nv
ways and means committee has been
using his high office to beat this reso-
luton" declared the speaker Right
away Simpson was on his feet. He
came up on personal privilege.
81 call on every member of the ways
arc means couamittee to say whether
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