The morning call., 1893-03-08
DECENCY DERIDED.
Brazen Conduct of the
New Jersey Speaker.
ANTI RAcETRAcK PROTESTS.
Flynn Declines to Give the People a
Hearing = Filibusteriug for
the Gamblers.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

TRENTON, N. j., March 7.-HutchInson
In the Assembly to-day presented the me-
mortal OF the committee of fifty appointed
at the mass-meeting of the Citz-ns' League
of Trenton last Wednesday In connection
with the memorial he offered resolution
providing for public hearing at 12 80 p NJ
upon the memorial. which was a solemn
protest against the racetrack bills, and
asked for their repeal.
Half a dozen members sprang to their
feet to make motions. but Speaker FLYNN
(who Is Gloucester racetrack starte) shut
them all off by declaring the resolution out
of order.
The galleries and floor were crowded and
the ruling created great sensation. Hutch
inson in strong speech denounced the
Speakers ruling, and the spectators ap-
plauded loudly.
The Speaker said that if the demonstra-
tion were repeated he would order the spec
tators removed. The Legislature, he added,
would not be Influenced by outside cIamor.
The Speaker said the people had gone about
the matter Of obtaining a hearing in the
wrong way. The proper way was to apply
to the committee which had the bills ia
charge.
Hutchinson said that that would be
farce as the committee had repeatedly
denied a hearing 20 the public. The
Speaker persisted in his ruling and
Hutchinson appealed from the decision.
On vote being taken 33 sustained the ap-
peal and % were against it, but the Speaker
refused to allow the result to be announced
because Assemblyman Swartwout was abb
sent.
Byrne of Essex said that he had been in
formed that the Committee on Municipal
Corporations was ready to give the Citizens
League hearing and he therefore changed
his vote, going on record as against the ap-
peal.
Other changes were recorded and the
Clerk continued to call Swartwout's name.
He was the only absentee not excused. The
Speaker would entertain no motion. direct
ing the sergeant-at-arms to produce SWart-
won't. and arbitrarily ruled every motion ami
resolution out of order. Lobbying on the
floor was allowed, despite appeals for the
enforcement Of the rules against it.
Swartwout finally appeared and voted in
favor of the Speakers ruling. The Speaker
himself voted for his ruling and his atten-
tinn was called to the fact that under the
rules he could not vote. He con seBted to
have his vote stricken out, and the total
vote then stood 90 to %. The Speaker de-
clared the motion appealing from his deci-
sion lost, it requiring a majority vote. He
then announced that the chairman of the
Committee on Municipal Corporations
would accord a public hearing on the bill
at 2 o'clock, and the fight for the present
was over
In the Senate Marsh presented the pc
tition from the committee of fifty asking for
hearing On the racing repeal. He made
motion that such hearing be granted, but
President Adrian declared it out of order.
He was inexorable. and the whole subject
had to be dropped.
The House Committee On Municipal Cor
Dorations this afternoon heard the commit
tee of fifty. Tomorrow the advocates Of
racing legislation will be heard.
NEW YORK. March THE CommeSeal
Advertisers Trenton special says: CleTe-
land has said a word about the racetrack
bill, at least the story comes straight from
Washington that within forty-eight hours
the President informed some of the New
Jersey Democratic leaders in attendance at
the Inauguration that he was disguised with
the condition Of affairs in one OF the stanch
Democratic States in the North It's also
stated that Cleveland threatened to keep
every New Jersey Republican in Office
rather than recognize Democratic appIi-
cants indorsed by the gambling element.
There is reason for believing this story to
be at least partially true. The conduct of
the bosses when they got back from
Washington last night sustaiBs it.