Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-02-26
KANSAS LEGISLATURE
Railroad Day in the House-Senator Ellis.
ton at War with His Associates.

Railroad Day in the House-senator E1liS'
ton at War with His Associates.
TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. 24-Yesterday
was railroad day in the house. The
passenger rate bill, introduced by Speak
er Elder, was considered. The speaker
opened the debate. He said he was sure
money would be made for railroads if
the rate was placed at 2H cents per
mile and passes abolished. To test the
temper of the house on the latter propo-
sition he moved that section 9, relating to
passes, be first considered. By general
consent this was allowed. An exciting
debate was provoked by the clause
in the section providing that rail-
road employees, their families and
stock shippers be exempted from
the pass prohibition. Meley, of
Leavenworth, moved as an amendment
that this clause be stricken out. The
republicans jumped on the alliance for
favoring class Legislation. Father Ell
der, who was on the floor, threatened
to gag them. Reeder, of Ellis, shook
his fist at him and dared him to try it
on.
'Well, that's just what I'll do if you
fellows don't let up your flibustering, "
shouted back the 'old man" defantly.
In the senate, Senator Elliston was
roasted to turn by his republican col
leagues.
Every one was on the gui vive for a
''scene." But there was nothing more
than dare. The incident, however,
injected into the succeeding debate the
intensest partisan fervor. The section
was finally adopted as follows:
Section 8. That it shall be unlawful for any
railroad company or corporation, receiver
or any employees thereof, to issue, give or
deliver any pass, ticket, cards or other de-
vices for free transportation of any person
over any railroad within this state, other
than the employees or their families or ship
pers in charge of live stock and return over
such railroad. Provided, that nothing in this
section shall be construed to prevent rail-
road companies from Transporting INDECENT
persons without compensation when seek
ing relief.
The bill, after the adoption of this
section, was considered from the first
The republicans continued their alb
straction tactics. Elder was worked
up to fever heat. He kept his threat.
After the first section, which makes the
rate 21f cents, had been adopted he
moved that the committee arise and re-
port the bill back to the house with
recommendation that it pass. This was
"guy" with a vengeance. The re-
publicans protested. Brown, Reeder
and Heber vociferated about the rights
of the minority with the warmth of
Mills or Kilgore. Brown raised the
point of order that Elders motion was
a violation of the house rules, which
provided that bill be passed by sec
tions Campbell, who was in the chair,
ruled against him. Five republicans
demanded call of the roll on Elders
motion. The alliance stood almost sol
idly with Elder for it. The democrats
joined the republicans in voting no"
Still the republicans would not be
gagged. As soon as the committee
arose Brown moved that the vote be re-
considered. The republicans demanded
the ayes and noes and, as the roll call
proceeded, the right to explain their
votes. A parliamentary discussion en-
sued. Elder called Neeley to the chair
that he might engage in it. This was
bad move, for Neeley ruled against
him. The republicans consumed lots
of time but were defeated
Elder thereupon gave to his gag the
superlative degree by moving that the
bill be considered engrossed and placed
number one on the calender for final
passage.
The bill for the regulation of primary
elections was being considered. Ellis
ton spoke at some length favoring the
bill in the event certain amendments
were made a majority of the re-
publican senator's, while he was
speaking, left the chamber. Upon his
conclusion they returned and made
some singing personal thrusts at the
ingalls, bolter. Senators Buchan, Hark-
ness and Schilling were especially Sc
we're. They charged Elliston with party
treachery. They charged that the bill,
providing as it did for the regulation of
party primaries, was intended to ex-
clude such traitors from the party coun-
ellis
Elliston struck back in a telling way,
and altogether the air was nearly as
lurid as at the other end of the capitol.
The conference committee appointed
to consider the difference between the
senate and house on the bill relating to
the procuring of evidence by legis-
lative committee and testimony given
before such committees and providing
that false testimony be punished
by perjury" reported this morn
ing. They recommended that the
house recede from its amendment to
the effect that the regulations apply to
the house as well as joint committees.
As compromise for this recession the
report recommends a section providing
that the regulations apply to the house
committee for the investigation of the
state house commissioners.
Both houses agreed to the report. This
will allow the numerous Investigations
to proceed.
NEEEnOIuE DADED