The San Francisco call., 1896-01-26
Lawmakers Will Attempt to
Undo Harm Done at Pre-
viouS Sessions.
POWER OF DEMOCRATS GONE.
Senator Goebel, However, Is Deter
mined to Champion the Inter.
estS of the People.

FRANKFORT, KY, Jan. 25.-The State
law of Kentucky gives the Legislature
power to repeal all charters that are not
specially described as perpetual. Hence
the charter of the Southern Pacific Com
pany may be repealed, as it was not made
perpetual. 1t is the general impression
here that it will be repealed when vote is
taken. Senator Goebel's bill is as follows:
"Senate bill No. 77.-An act to repeal an
act entitled An act to incorporate the
Southern Pacific Company approved
March II, 1884, and the amendments
thereto, entitled AN act to amend an act
to incorporate the Southern Pacific Com
pany,' approved March II, 1884, which
amendatory act vas approved March q,
1888. Be it enacted by the General Assem-
bly, of the Commonwealth Of Kentucky:
THAT an act entitled AN act to incor-
porate the Southern Pacific Company, ap-
proved March II, 1884, and the amend
ment thereto, entitled AN acc to amend
an act to incorporate the Southern Pacific
Company, approved March II, 1884 which
amendatory act was approved March 81,
1888, be and the same are hereby repealed"
Senator GoebeI's bill has not yet reached
the committee to which it was referred.
The bill has not been discussed by any of
the Senators so far as known, and it is be-
lieved it will be some time before it will
be reported.
The Legislature of Kentucky for the ses-,
sion OF 1888 was peculiarly suited to the
purposes of those who wanted any es-
pecial privileges, and they were not at all
modest in doing whatever they were asked;
provided the argument was strong
enough. It was the year of memorable
contest over the election of United
States Senator. and charges of bribery
were SO openly made that the Legislature
appointed an investigating committee,
which was, however, g farce. A few good
men did all in their power to stem the
tide of corruption, but were practically
powerless.
Many bills conferring extraordinary and
unheard-of privileges were passed, on the
principle OF II tickle you and you tickle
me" or for a more evident consideration.
The session began January Is and ended
April Is, 1884, and during that time there
were passed 1852 public acts $50 called,
many of them), "a resolutions and 799
local and private acts. Among this latter
number was the act to incorporate the
Southern Pacific Company. The bill was
introduced ana looked after in the House
by well-known member from the city of
Louisville who from experience in such
matters in former legislatures was well
fitted for the work. The situation was
carefully watched, and when the oppor-
Iunity came the bill was railroaded
through, and with the approval of Gov
ernor not given to scrutiniZing such things
too closely it became law, as many other
bills of like character at that session, with
out one-third of the members being aware
of its real force and character.
The work of this Legislature more than
any other called public attention to the
abuses of the 'private act" provision in
the old constitution and gave new and
vigorous impetus to the demands for a
new constitution. 1t saddled many out
rageous charters and acts on the people OF
Kentucky for the benefit of individuals
and private corporations, and in obedience
to the almost unanimous popular voice
the new constitution provided for undoing
the harm, and the work has been steadily
going on since it's adoption.
The private act abuse began directly
till 1884, when, in obedience to public out
cry, 1t began to decline. The Legislature
OF 1894 passed ia public acts and no pri-
vate ones at all. The disposition of the
people of Kentucky IS to wipe out entirely
the nefarious work of past corrupt legisla-
ton, and much will be done il this way
by this present Legislature.
For the first time since the war the
Democrats have lost their power. The
Republicans practically tie them and have
the Governor, and they will do all they
can to repeal the many obnoxious acts of
their opponents, who held the power SO
many years.
Though Senator Goebel is a stancn Dem
oerat and on party questions is always
with his party, on non-partisan questions
he is always to be found on the side of the
best interests of the people.
In 1886, when their own members failed
them, he championed the cause OF the citi-
zens of Louisville in their tight against the
gamblers ring and succeeded in making
gambling felony. Later he took active
interest IN other measures looking to re-
form the administrative and other abuses
in that city, and with success. He was
foremost IN aiding them in their great
fight in 1S90-91 against the fifty-year ex-
tension of the gas company's charter.
He is able, earnest and honest, and other
things not considered, will be able to
carry the best part of the Legislature with
him in his efforts to repeal the charter of
the Southern Pacific Company, but as is
well known this company operates several
lines iii Kentucky and it, as well as the
Louisville and Nashville, maintains an
aggressive lobby at Frankfort during every
session of the Legislature. no effort will
be spared to defeat Goebels bill. Just
what effect the Senatorial contest will
have on this it is hard to say, but it is not
generally regarded as having any bearing
at ALL