The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-20
SILVER WINS A FIGHT.
The House Spends the After
noon on Two Resolutions.
Kansas to Congratulate MiSsOu-
ri, Arkansas and Texas
On Their Stand on the Silver Question
Other Legislation

The trouble began when the follow
ing resolution, introduced by Brown,
of Cowley county, was taken up:
Whereas. the people Of the state are
in favor of the free coinage of silver,
Whereas. This fact was expressed in
no uncertain terms by the last election,
therefore be it.
Resolved, That the house of represen-
tatives of the state of Kansas declare
in favor Of the free coinage of silver at
the ratio of Is TO I. and be it further.
Resolved, That our representatives in
congress De requested 10 advance all
legislation possible to this end and that
a copy Of these resolutions be furnished
them.
Lambert CRepD of Lyon moved that
the resolution be referred to the Popu-
list caucus with power TO act
Lobdell. (RepD of Lane moved as a
substitute. = resolution endorsing in
ternatfonaI bime talIisTa- He demand
ed a roll call on the motion to substi-
tute.
Seaton, (RepJ Of Atchison. suggested
that the resolution introduced by Mr.
Brown, properly belonged TO a COM
mittee of the whole house. He said:
4 thing it is Inappropriate for this
house to push such q resolution
through without debate. There are rs
members here who would like 10 eA-
press themselves upon this proposition
and I think it is unfair to dispose of it
II the manner proposed.
This was but the beginning of the
fHbuStering- 1t developed into strict
party fight and succeeded in suspend
ing the business of the house for the
entire afternoon.
Upon the roll call. LobdelFs substi-
tute was defeated. II members voting
against il. Al in its favor.
The roll call was then demanded up
on the resolution which passed y to -.
During the progress Of the second roll
cali, Weilep of Cherokee attempted TO
secure the floor ITO cure" as he said -
defect in the resolution
Mr.. LObdelI-'The house has adopted
the rule that no one shall be allowed to
speak during the calling of the roll l
object to the remarks from the gentle
man from Cherokee
Speaker Street.-The rule mentioned
by the gentleman from Lane will be up
held
Larimer of Shawnee arose upon a
question of personal privilege TO which,
the speaker replied:
Such 2 request cannot be entertained
while the roll call is in progress The
clerk viii proceed.
MIR. Speaker we want the draft shut
off in the rear of the room, exclaimed
Simmons of Cherokee leaping to his
feet
Speaker Street did not hear the re-
quest. but raped for order and said:
The gentleman Will sit down.
The order was Obeyed and when quiet
was restored in the room the speaker
said:
Now what's the matter down there"
The request was repeated and the
draft was shut off
Mr.. LobdeH explained his vote as
follows:
4 regret the manifestation of self
confidence among the members of the
other side of the house VINO insist that
in one short half hour they can force
upon the minority of this house declar-
atoms upon a subject which has jar
red this country from center to circum-
ference during the past few months
am opposed to shutting off debate. 1t
is unfair 1 oppose the adoption of this
resolution because nowhere in the Tn
tied States is there pending any legis-
lation upon the subject contained in
this resolution. This IS mere child's
play. 1t is clap-trap brought in by the
opposition and we should not fool away
our time and the money of the people
in this useless conduct
When the name of Marks of Jefferson
was reached upon the roll call, he arose
and said:
We believe this is pertinent ques-
ton before the people at this time and
object only to these men on the other
side OF the house coming here and WORK
ing their old campaign speeches off on
US
The laugh was on Lobdeu while the
clerk proceeded with the roll call, the
resolution being passed.
The disposal of one subject was fol-
lowed Immediately by the Introduction
OF a resolution by Keefer of Leaven-
worth. which caused more refractory
tactics on both sides. It was.
Resolved. BY the house of representa-
tives of the state of Kansas the senate
c9ncurring therein. that we tender our
coDgra tulatiOns to the legislature of
Missouri, upon the return by the peO-
PIE to the law-making body of Missouri
Inembsrs in harmony with the demands
for reform as fought for under the ban
ner of William ]. Bryan in the late
presidential campaign.
Resolved. Further. that a copy of
these resolutions be forwarded to the
senate and house of representatives OF
that state now in session
This resolution was finally adopted by
vote Of y TO y, but its course was a
tOrtuous one
Botkin. CRep.) of Reno. moved. to ad-
Journ and demanded the ayes and nays
In support of his motion Mr.. BOtkin
sad This legislature was sent here
to co business and not to fritter away
the time belonging to the people and
for which liberal taxation is made"
Barley, (Pop) of Elk. took the floor
to defend the Populist side of the house
against the insinuations that they were
blocking the proceedings TO discuss DO
ltical subjects. He said
I asure the gentlemen on the oupo-
site side of this hall that If they will
Cooperate with us in pushing necessary
and needed legislation and will remove
from this hall their own attempts to
delay the business Of this house that
We On this side will do everything in
our power to aid them" Mr. Barley
referred to the fact that this legislature
Of two years ago had fooled away its
time and accomplished nothing.
Thls brought BOtkin of Reno to his
feet He said: Because the 1egisla-
ture Of two years ago acted the fool, is
no reason why we should follow its eX-
ample The majority on that side of
the house is here in condemnation of
the proceedings of this body two years
ago and I am surprised TO see among
some Of the gentlemen over there a dis
position to re-indulge in those tactics.
An adjournment OF this house at this
time VIII stop this useless debate and
save expense"
The motion to adjourn was defeated
and Mr. BotlSin then moved to amend
the ngratulatOry MESA &c by insert
ing the words Arkansas and Texas
The roll call was demanded by the Re
publicanS again but the amendment
Waa finally SacIlrad hN a Of