BRIEF 1ST DAY FRUSTRATES SOME

Surprise mingled with frustration for area members of the Missouri House of Representatives after Wednesday's abbreviated first day of the legislation session.

Opening day for the House lasted only minutes when Speaker Bob Griffin, D-Cameron, unexpectedly adjourned the chamber without a vote to choose his successor.

"Griffin has been saying for the last six months he was resigning and that is what we waited for him to do. When he did not do it was a surprise," said Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson.

Majority Whip Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, said that the Black Caucus, a sub-group of the House Democratic Caucus, was meeting at the same time Wednesday morning as the main group and party leaders were unsure how the absent members would vote.

"We just don't take a vote until we know what the vote total is," Thomason said.

Rep. Sam Leake of Laddonnia is the Democratic choice for speaker, but his election is far from certain.

Members of neither party are sure if a new speaker will be chosen this week. Until that matter is settled, the House will get little accomplished.

After a second caucus meeting Wednesday afternoon, Thomason said the 82 votes necessary to elect Leake were still not all accounted for but that progress had been made. "We had a good meeting and got closer to where we want to be," he said.

Republicans were angry that Griffin closed the session without recognizing any opposing party members.

"I think it kind of shows the arrogance of this Democratic-dominated session," said Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau.

Schwab dubbed "an abuse of power" Griffin's refusal to take a roll call vote on ending the session. Griffin called for a voice vote and ruled that the majority agreed to adjourn.

"It was very obvious by the voice vote that there were enough votes (to keep the session open), but he just ignored it and closed the session," Schwab said.

Schwab said this maneuver underscores the need to reduce the power of the speaker's office. During his 15 years as speaker, Griffin determined what legislation would be considered by the full House and could punish opponents, particularly those in his own party.

Democrats are still trying to woo anti-Griffin dissidents who nearly threw the speaker's race to Minority Leader Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, in 1995.

"I hoped all along like everyone else that we would be able to put things from the past behind us," Thomason said of the dissidents. "What this shows is that they are not interested and have never been interested in getting rid of Griffin. They just want power."

Thomason said Wednesday's occurrence is not an indication that Griffin wishes to stay on as speaker despite his announced plans to resign from both the post and his House seat.

"He was very blunt about that in the caucus. He does not want to stay on," Thomason said.

Schwab, however, is not so sure.

"With Bob Griffin and what he did today, there is no way for us to envision what he will do," he said.