The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-06
Every Possible Influence Is
Brought to Bear Upon
Legislators.
HUNTINGTON SEEKS TO DELAY.
Putting OFF the Final Struggle Until
His Plans Will Have Been
Well Laid.

was no quorum present ana the meeting
was postponed until tomorrow morning
before the regular session of the Senate.
Surprise was caused by the act that no
attorney appeared before the committee
against the bill. 1t is expected. however,
that the road viii contest the bill hotly
before the committee in the morning. Ii
is said Senators Messenger and Hays,
two Louisville Senators, will be among the
champion opponents of the bill.
Senator Goebel is frank to say that the
bill will be reported with the opinion that
it should pass.
1t is not likely that the report will be
unanimous, but that the members will
stand to 2 or to 3 for and against repeal.
The lobby has gotten in some good work
for its side during the last few days,
and, while no application has been made
by the Huntington party for hearing be-
fore the committee, it will be represented
nevertheless, and to some purpose.
The lobbyists have been very close in
their attentions to several of the mem bers,
and have brought various influences to
bear upon them. The result will be that
one member will champion their cause in
the committee more or less strongly as
matters develop, and will have the sup
port of one if not two of the others. 1t is
quite certain that the report will not be
unanimous, and there is some danger of
the bill being reported adversely.
Once reported to the Senate favorably.
whether the committee is unanimous or
not, if action can be had at once the bill is
almost sure to pass. Opposition Will be
10 ;,,f hot
mittee, but how real no one can say.
Huntington's managers are shrewd and
tricky, and will try to misead the friends
OF the bill as far as possible as to their
real intentions, which will only be known
when the Finish fight" comes. If they
can delay the bill in the Senate Committe
so much is gained; more delay in the SEN
ate itself so much more gained. Should it
then pass the Senate and go to the House
their real and main dependence will be
shown, and if they can carry out their
plans the fate of the bill is sealed.
Should the bill pass the Senate and go to
the House, ii will of course be referred to a
committee. The committee to whom il
should go would be the Judiciary Com
mittee, but on motion it may be sent to
some other committee, such as Railroads
and Commerce or Corporate Institutions.
When the opponents of a bill want to kill
1t and are able to carry their point, they
sometimes move to refer it to the Commit
tee on Public Morals or committees which
are not supposed to report till the last day
of the session.
If the repeal bill goes TO the Judiciary
Committee, or to it and another commit
tee jointly, then the Huntington fight will
be to keep it there until the close of the
session unless they find the situation
favorable to its defeat in the House, when
it will be allowed to come up and record
of rejection be made.
8 The fate of the bill in the House will de.
pend largely upon Speaker Blandford. He
is man of fine tact-bold and conscien
thousand will. if the matter is left to him,
refer it to the Judiciary Committee. This
com mittee is, in the main, good one.
Judge Flippin is the chairman, and he has
already expressed himself in favor of the
bill, and on various occasions advocated its
passage with his fellow-mem bers. He is
safe for it and strong man with his fellow
committeeman.
With him on the committee are J. II.
Rice, Republican, who is lawyer from
Litchheld, Grayson County, down on Mr..
Huntington's G. o. and S.W. r. r. Just how
Mr.. Rice stands as TO this bill, it Is hard to
learn, but II he represents the sentiments
or his constituents, he will certainly SUD-
port 1t. His county made very liberal
subscription to the Z. and P. r. R., and
again to the branch from Litchfield to
owensboro, and they have received no con-
sideration at Mr.. Huntington's hands.
and have really reaped but little benefit
from his roads, as he takes all the profit
OF their industry.
]. B. ooffman is a Republican from Rus
sellyllle. Logan County, on the l.. and N.
road; is a lawyer by profession; non
committal as to position on this bill
thought to be for it, though. He is great
friend OF Judge Flippin,s and is likely to
stand with HIM If he has no special inter-
ests the other way.
A. }. Carroll enjoys the unique and un.
precedented distinction of being the soil
tary Democratic representative from the
city OF Louisville. He is an old news
paper man, having served on the Courier.
Journal for some years. This is his fourth
term IN the House. He was Speaker AT
the last session and was the Democratic
Candidate against Speaker Blandford at
this opening. Mr.. Carroll is a practical
politician and knows a good deal about
running sawmili.
Verge Clark, Democrat, is lawyer from
Bowling GrIan. Warren County, on the
L. and n. Railroad. He has been engaged
by that road several times in local suits.
There is no reason to think he will oppose
the repeal bill,
]. F. Robbins. Democrat, is a lawyer
from Mayfield, Graves County, down on
one of Huntington's roads. He is apt to
be very pronounced either for or against
the bill when it comes before his commit.
tee. 1t is not known that the railroad
people have any hold on him, and it is
very certain that his whole county is bit
terly opposed to anything Huntington adj
vocates. His policy has sucked the life.
blood of every enterprise started in the