The record-union., 1893-01-20

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knew what the bill was and did not need
to consider it.
Senator Ostrom also kicked" vigor-
ously. He wanted the Senate to emulate
the rushing tactics adopted by the Assem-
bly,.
Mr.. Simpson was inclined to be just.
He said that while he wanted to vote for
a bill that would bring about the results
aimed at in the bill, he wanted to be sure
that 1t was done cOnstitutionally He
read the Attorney-Generals report on the
bill to the effect that it was not constitu-
tional, and he thought that should be suf
tcient hint to the Senate to put on its
considering cap and find out what it was
doing before passing the measure. 1t was
always
CUSTOMARY TO REFER BILLS
10 the proper committees, and he did not
understand why this bill should be
treated any different than others. Ger
tainly the AttorneyG disclosures
should at least cause the Senators to hesi-
tate before enacting bill that might
mean nothing.
Senator Earl seemed to be afraid of the
Committee on Corporations, and in a
rather cauStic speech said that if the Sem
ate was determined to send the bill to a
committee, it should ignore the one re
terred to in the motion and send the
measure to the Judiciary Committee.
Langford also wanted to rush the bill
through and avoid the committees. He
argued that, as the same bill had been be-
/ bo1
gone into by dozens of big attorneys,
therefore the present Legislature should
accept the bill as it stood and put it
through.
Seawell opposed Mahoney's motion,
too, and wanted the Senate to pass the
bill.
Senator Goucher reminded those who
were arguing against referring the bill to
the Committee on Corporations that they
We're doing great injustice to the mem
bers of that committee. He was a mem
b9r of it, and did not take kindly to the
reflections and slurs cast upon his and
his colleagues integrity. He did not
think that such methods were 10 the best
interests Of the people of the State.
While he favored the intent of the bill,
he did not feel like voting on it until it
had been thoroughly examined by the
proper committee.
UNUSUAL PROCEEDINGS.
Senator Mahoney spoke to some length
in favor of his motion. He said it would
be very unusual proceeding to go ahead
with the reading of the bill before look
ing into it. He had been informed that
persons are in Sacramento now, who are
desirous of addressing the committee,
both for and against the bill. One of
these persons had a substitute, too, which
it had been said, would cover every OBJ
jectionable feature of the bill, and at the
same time bring about the result it aimed
at. The bill should, by all means, go to
the committee, SO that these people could
be heard.
Mr.. Ostrom insisted that the Judiciary
Committee was the proper one to con-
slider the bill if it had to go to any.
Mr.. Mahoney considered this direct
slap at Chairman Carpenter of the Corpo-
ration Committee.
At this Senator Earl arose and apollo
gized for his remarks, if they appeared as
an affront.
There was some more talk in which
several Senators stormed again for the
rushing of the bill and for ignoring the
Committee on Corporations. In the
midst of it Senator Ostrom said if the bill
did not pass this time he would feel like
resigning.
SENATOR CARPENTER AROUSED.
Then Senator Carpenter took the floor.
He had been listening quietly to the un-
kind reflections cast upon him and his
committee all this time without offering
any reply, but he now appeared to be
thoroughly aroused. In dignified yet
emphatic manner, he informed the Senate
what he thought about the case so far as
it had gone. He did not propose to argue
the questions involved in the bill at this
time, but desired to refer to some other
matters. In his belief there was not a
Senator on the floor who was not in favor
of a bill to provide for the payment of
the railroad tax; but some of the Sena-
tors did not want to end the matter there.
They wanted to cinch only one corpo-
ration. The Senator behind him [Mr.
Berry, had admitted two years ago that
the reassessment bill, as then proposed.
was aimed solely at the Southern Pacific
Company. There was not man in the
Senate but what knew that sort of legis-
lation was unconstitutional. SIT is true"
continued Senator Carpenter, his voice
increasing in volume, ''that am an at
torney for the Southern Pacific Company.
They pay me for the trial of causes in
court, and not for my course on this
floor. No corporation nor individual
ever has or ever will do so, God helping
me. L did not intend to bring this matter
up, but remarks have been made; and
then, there has been quite general talk
that this bill was destined to be
buried by the committee of which
1 have the honor to be Chairman. 1
will vote for referring this bill,
Notwithstanding the remarks of GER
tain Senators on this floor. L in
tend to vote for bill that will bring
about the payment of all just debts due
the State, but I don't propose to vote
for one that will not accomplish it. 1t is
a question now whether we are to be
hurried along by the
DICTATES OF DEMAGoGUEs,
Instead of acting like sensible and intelli-
gent men. l am not going to be bull1ed
nor hurried, and no threats are going to
move me hair's-breadth. AS regards
the reflections cast upon my committee L
have & profound contempt for them, and
consider them beneath notice and be-
meath reply
There was quite burst Of applause for
the Senator from those of his colleagues
who believed in the justice of his re-
marks.