The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-02-16
HIOKLIN'S VICTORY.
The Measure Ordered E]ngrossed.


From the st. Louis Republicl
Jefferson City, Mo, Feb. 5.-The
democrats saved a labor bill in tho
house to-day, the principal opposition
to II coming from the republicans, who
offered amendment after amendment in
their attempt to kill it. Mr.. lIickliu,
of Lafayette, Is the author of the bill,
aud he leti the fight for it, backed up
by Mr.. Thompson, of Macon, Mr.. New
berry, of Madison, and Mr.. Evans, Of
Washington. The bill provides that all
corporations operating coal, iron, lead,
zinC. copper or clay mines in this state
shall pay their employees at least twice
III every month on regular pay days,
and no pay day to be more han eigh-
teen days apart, or eighteen days alter
the regular pay day in the preceding
month, payment TO be made in lawful
money of the United States al the option
of the enIploye; and all orders given by
them to said employee shall be redeem
ed by The said corporations at The lace
value of said order in lawful money Of
the United States, at the option of the
holder of said order, and on the first
regular pay day after the giving of said
order. The bill provides further, that
if any corporations refuse to comply
with the law, they shall become i'm
mcdlaieiy due and Liable Ia the said
employee or holder OF said order i'll a
sun Iinubie the amount dine, to be re-
covered by civil action in any court
having competent Jurisdiction.
The bill came pack with Il favorable
report from the committee on labor and
Was put upon its passage TO engross-
ment.
Mr. Hicklin made q strong plea for
the bill. He said il WAS but just and
right that thc miners in this siaie
Snnuid nave sOiuC protection from the
Infamous system Of robbery carried on
by most OF the uInc operators. lie
asked no special legislation tor the
poor miners; all he wanted for them
was q fair show. He did not believe
i'll favoritlsm or class legislation. No
man who had the interest OF the peer
man at heart could afford to vote
against the bill.
Mr.. Fountain, of Jasper county,a re-
publican representa- i've from IL of the
most extensive mining districts in the
state, Uppored the dill and offered all
amendment to it striking off the zinc
and lead mine operators from the list
OF corporations that should come under
its provisions.
The amendment was promptly voted
down.
Mr.. Smith, of Kansas City. another
republican, offered an amendment to
the bill striking out that portion of the
Dill prohibiting mine operators from
forcing their employees to purchase
their supplies at the company's stores.
Mr.. Thompson, of Macon county said
the amendment offered by the member
from Kansas City would destroy the
best feature of the bill. The company
stores, he said, were machines used by
The mining corporations to rob the
poor miners. These stores had been
the prime aus of all the miners
troubles at Bevier. They were mainly
responsible for all the crime and blood
shed there. He was opposed to the
amendment and in favor OF the original
DILL as reported by he labor committee.
Mr.. Smith amendment was voted
down, and Mr. Thurmond offered an
amendment to pay monthly instead Of
semi. monthly. He said he favored all
the other features of the bill, but he
thought ii would work a great hard
ship on some small mining corporations
10 compel them to pay their employees
oftener than once u month. His amend
ment was lost.
MIR. Hickiin hen closed the debate
with u rousing speech. lie said he did
not like the tactics OF the enemies of
The bill, who were trying to kill il by
loading ii down with amendments. He
urged his CO leagues to stand up like
men and vote for or against it. Then
he moved the previous question and
called for the ayes and noes.
The bill went to engrossment by a
vote OF 80 to 5, four republicans
Messrs. Flanigan, Fountain, Jones, of
Stone and Martin, of Franklin-voting
mo" Mr.. Thompson served notice
that when the bill came up for final
passage he would furnish some inter-
esling statistics from Macon county in
favor of its passage.