The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-15

Moore, Marshall, Rohrbaugh, Sea-
ton, Republicans; Campbell. True
blood, Populists; Schlyer, Democrat
The subcommittee agreed on a bill
Iowa law. 1t is not a radical measure
and makes no sweeping reductions, but
rather provides for schedule which
will prevent discrimination.
OF the sub committee, Moore, Mar
shall, Campbell, Trueblood and Schlyer
were for the bill, Rohrbaugh and Seaton
against When the whole committee
came to consider it there was bitter
fight made on it at once by the friends of
the railroads. Those in favor of it were
just as earnest, and after discussion
which developed into anger on both
sides, the bill was virtually defeated, the
chairman casting the deciding vote on
tie. The decision was to report the bill
with instructions to print, but without
any recommendation. Those who voted
for this action which in reality kills the
bill were: Remington, chairman; Rohr-
baugh, Seaton. Warner, Cox, Spicknall,
Andrews, Hackbusch. Pratt, all Repub-
licans. Those against were: Moore,
Marshall, Hanna, Cannon, Republicans;
Campbell of Stafford, Trueblood, POpu-
lists; Schlyer, Democrat The result of
the committees action will probably be
made known to the house sometime to-
day
Commenting on the work of the COM
mittee, MIR. Campbell of Stafford, said to
a JOURNAL reporter:
"The fact of the matter is the Republi-
cans are afraid to touch this question. 1
told the committee l wanted one of these
bills reported SO that the senate would
have a chance to act on it and if they
didn't l would denounce them for it
want to see some legislation on this sub
ject enacted, no matter what political
party it comes from, if it is good
1.-THE Iowa law would make no radical
changes, but simply give power to the
railroad commissioners to prevent dis
ordinations. AS it is today, the COM
missioners have no power at all and the
Office is simply sinecure. 1t doesn't
| amount to a tinker's dam. Republican
commissioners never did anything and
the Populists were no better If
they had called the attention of the peo-
pie to what could and ought to have
been done as we tried to get them to do,
they would have done their duty, but
they were too cowardly. I hate cowardice
in anybody. 1 should want to be man
first of all and prefer being Populist
| to a coward.
eve have been prodding these Repub-
licans up to get them to do something on
the railroad rate question and at one
| time l really thought they were going to
| do it but they changed their minds.
II don't know what it is but there
seems to be subtle influence which per-
vades the air around here that makes some
men change their minds" said Mr.. Camp
bell with significant raising of his eye
brows. "The committee acts like a set
of towards and seems utterly afraid to
take up any Legislation of this kind.
| There have been railroad men at
every meeting of the committee except
the last, and do you know they took such
an active part in the proceedings didn't
know but what they were members of
the committee. I have been sick good
part of the session, and haven't been able
to get acquainted with all the members
on the other side, and really l had to
watch the roll call to determine who
were the members.
"The way the substitute has been re-
ported, means that nothing will be done
to it The house won't take up a bill and
pass it which hasn't been recommended.
There it will appear, an orphan on the
calendar, without father or mother, and
you know the house will never take up
a measure and pass it, which is in that
shape.
"Railroad rates are perhaps not toe
high, but they would be large in pros
porous times 1 know the railroads are
not making much money. 1t isn't a re-
duction we so much need now, as a just
system, which would prevent discrimlna-
ton. The larger towns and those in the
eastern part of the state do not
suffer, but the small towns in the
central and western sections are the
ones which feel the injustice. These
portions furnish the greater part of the
freight business because farm products
take up so much in bulk, and yet they
J suffer most from railroad rates.
81 have served notice on the committed
that ii they don't do something on thii
question we will roast them in the hous,
and on the stump"