The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-05
THE HATED BRITON
Almost Secured Footho1d in Kan
sas But Patriots Bold
WERE ON THE ALERT AND READY

Their Own Rac king Houses Barred
Out.
So lethargic is the house that bill had
been voted on and passed yesterday be-
fore the members knew what they were
voting on 1t was Mr.. Cubbison's bill
granting aliens a right to hold land In
cities having over 10000 inhabitants,
which really meant the Fowler packing
houses of Kansas City, Kansas. The
roll had been called and the bill had
enough votes to pass it and if Mr. Zim-
norman, who is last on the list, had not
explained his vote showing what the real
purpose of the bill was, the house might
not have been awake yet
The debate occurred on Mr.. thinner
mans amendment, which was that the
privileges granted to aliens in the bill be
not restricted to cities of the frst-class
but be extended to all, who by reason OF
religious convictions were deprived OF
the privilege of holding land.
"There are certain religious sects in my
community" said Mr.Zimmerman," zone OF
them being the Reformed Pres byterians,
who cannot, on account of their relig-
ious beliefs and convictions, take the
oath of allegiance to the constitution of
the United States They are the best of
citizens but because their religion
doesn't allow them to give allegiance to
any power which does not directly rec
ognize God, they are deprived of the
privileges of citizens. The constitution
of the United States does not contain a
recognition of supreme divine ruler"
Some amusement was here created by
Mr.. Hackbusch, who said: "May | ask
the gentleman Mr.. zimmerman ii the
people belonging to these religious sects
are christians?"
Mr. Zimmerman: "They are all good
people. | may say they are christians"
swell, then, Mr.. Speaker" said Mr..
Hackbusch, 81 see no reason for their
not taking the oath. Christians usually
believe that God is everywhere and they
ought to have no difficulty in finding
him in the constitution" Laughter.
Mr.. Campbell of Stafford opposed
the amendment, saying that peo-
pie who were "too good for the con-
stitution were too good for this country"
The amendment was defeated and the
roll call on the passage of the bill had
progressed as far as Mr. Zimmerman's
name when he said: 81 am in favor of this
bill but protest against the unfair treat
ment in voting down my amendment.
There is no fairness in granting priv
ileges to the members of big corpora
ton and denying the farmer to own his
little farm"
This frightened some of the members
and made those who had been inatten-
tive prick up their ears. 1t began to look
like they had been voting privileges to
Eoulless corporation and what would
their constituents say? Many members
Immediately changed their votes to no
but not enough and the bill was passed
Then the members who thought they
had made a N stake didn't know what
to do One moved to strike out the
enacting clause but it was too late. After
casting about for some way out Mr.
Rohrbaugh suggested that some one who
had voted with the prevailing side move
| to reconsider. This was done. An effort
| to table this motion was Intellectual
| Then Mr.. Cubbison made an impas-
stoned appeal for the 1900 workingmen
in the packing houses who would be
thrown out if this bill didn't pass and
| the sschimleys'' which would stand black
and smokeless.
Mr. Sutton was opposed to changing
the avs to suit aliens. If they wanted
to hold land there was an easy way to do
| it. by becoming citizens of this country.
! He believed in America for Americans
MI. Trueblood Pop. Osage) said he
wasn't in favor of granting special priv
ieges. '.Mr. Cubbison has made beau
tiful plea for 1900 men in Kansas City,
Kan," said he. "but there are thousands
over the state who are just as worthy as
they. The bill proposes to grant to
big corporation which Can control votes
and influence legislation a special priv
ilege, but withholds it from large num-
bers of others who deserve it just as
much but are poor and scattered over
the state"
The motion to reconsider prevailed
and Mr. Cubbison, fearing his bill might
be killed, moved to recommit it to the
judiciary committee, which motion pre-
| vailed.
The house then passed two bills before
adjourning to the night session. They
| were:
House bill No SO, an act to amend sec
ton 973 of the general statutes of Kan
sds, 1889, relating to licenses.
House bill No. 108, an act fixing the
duties and liabilities of railroad corpor-
ations, and all persons owning or operat-
ing railroads, in the matter of the accu-
mutation of surface water.
THE HOUSE HAS A NIGHT SESSION
Nineteen Local Bills Got Out of the Way
In One Roll Call.
The housa had its frat NIGHT sosuiop