The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-23
PETER AND BAKER
Vote TOe ether on the Resolution to Inves-
tigate Senatorial Elections.

tigate Senatorial Elections
From the State Journals Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23-The discus
of Senator Calls resolution in the senate
directing the investigation of the inf u
ence of corporations in the election of
members of congress served to show in a
very plain way the TEN per of the senate
toward corporations and the immense
power they exercise in elections and leg
islation. The resolution as it was finally
amended and adopted by the senate was
a victory for the corporation sentiment.
It will be gratifying to all those in
Kansas who view the Interference of
large corporate interests in Legislation
with alarm to know that both of the Kan
sas senators, Baker and PETER voted to
have the matter thoroughly investig ated-
The resolution of Senator Call of Flor
ida, which brought the whole matter up
was as follows:
Resolved, That a committee of five
senators be appointed who shall be
charged with the duty of investig gating
the subject of organized efforts of cor
porations, or of the president and direct
ors thereof. to control the election of
ID en- bers of congress, or to influence
the legislation of congress-; also to in
vestigate and report to the senate wheth-
er corrupt means, bribery or free trans
portation have been or are being used to
influence such elections; also to inquire
and report to the senate whether the
use of such influence or means is con-
sistent with the preservation of the re-
public of the United States and the
rights and liberties of the people, and
to report bill tor the punishment or
suppression of such practices.
The friends of corporations in the SEN
ate straightway and with one accord be-
gan TO make trouble for the resolution
by setting out to amend it in such a man g
ner as to destroy its force.
Senator Hale, of Maine, questioned the
right OF the senate to investigate any
thing which affected the members of the
other house, and offered an amendment
striking out the word congress and sub
stituting the words United States senate
This amendment was voted down, both
Baker and PETER voting with the pre-
vailing side in the negative.
Senator SewelI of New jersey, then
sought to kill the resolution by making
the investigation apply only to Florida.
This amendment was also voted down,
the Kansas senators as before voting
in the negative, against the amendment.
The next effort made by the senators
who did not wish investigation made
into the methods of corporations in cleo
tions was to substitute for the special
committee the standing committee of
the senate on privileges and elections.
1t was known by all those interested
that this committee would practically do
nothing in the matter. 1t is a standing
committee with regular duties to per
form and even if inclined would have no
chance to make thorough examination
of the abuses mentioned in the resolu-
ton Besides the likelihood of this com
mirtee making the investigation would
BIZ very slight.
Mr.. Hale to give this work of investiga-
| ton over to the committee on privileges
and elections prevailed by vote of 30
TO "a Baker and PETER voting in the
| negative.
The voting showed that snirit friand-