Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-09
LIVELY DEBATE.
The Gas Investigation Bill Starts
Battle Royal.
indications That the Measure Will Fail in
Spite Of Strong support-Vote viii
Be Big Roll Call.
lsnecial pispateh d the spyl

tated by the recommendation of the
committee on rules for the adoption of
the order for gas investigation by
special committee of the legislature, took
place in the house this afternoon, and
was a fierce one. 1t is still unsettled
for adjournment was ordered pending a
vote on an amendment for an investt-
cation by the committee on manufac-
lures instead of by a special commit
tee.
The debate in the house lasted nearly
two hours. The order was the talk of
the members throughout the day,
and from the statements Of certain OF
the house leaders, the lobby is making
its mightiest effort to defeat the pro-
posed investigation. If the feeling ap-
parent at the close of the days session
is any indication of the final action of
the house, the chances for the adoption
of the order are slim, Notwithstanding
the arguments of members like Myers
of Cambridge and Stone of Springfield,
who jumped into the breach started by
those who declared that the investiga-
ton was the work of stock manipula-
tors who desired to work the Legislature
for financial gain in State street. There
are other good members reserved for a
final word tomorrow, and it is possible
that the eXertions of the lobby against
the order, may have reactionary eff
feet before the vote is taken. 1t is safe
to say that whatever the fate OF the or
der in the house is, that members will
he forced to place themselves on record
and that the vote will be taken by
roll call.
Leave to withdraw was reported on
the petition of James H. Mellen for leg
islation requiring the railroad commits
sioners to obtain more complete returns
from street railway corporations.
IN THE HOUSE.
When the gas investigation order
came up for consideration, Mr.. Callen-
dar of Boston raised the point of order
against it, that under rule 40 of the
joint rules providing that no legislation
should emanate except upon petition or
bill introduced On leave, the order in
troduced was not for investigation, but
for legislation, and was not in order,
The speaker, however, ruled the point
not well taken, and then Mr.. Calendar
directed his opposition to the adoption
of the order. He called upon the house
to look a the source of the proposed
investigation, and declared that the first
consideration for those who demanded
equity was that they should come into
court with their hands clean. He didn't
have much sympathy with the State
street broker who had made his boast
that he would drag certain interests
into the state house. and thought it was
poor business for the legislature to in
dulge in an investigation that was de-
manded by no one but the State street
broker alfeady referred to.
If there was an investigation to be
held it should be conducted by the com
lflittee on manufactures
Mr.. Miller of Boston, in reply to the
remarks by Mr. Calendar, declared that
he was the author of the order, and that
il had been original with him.
Mr. Miller, continuing, declared that he
was member of the legislature at the
dictation of no State street broker, nor
was there any collar about his neck. If
there was any power at the state
house greater than the legislature, it
was time for the people to know it.
Mr.. Miller called the attention of the
house to the fact that the speaker. to
whom the glory of a short session fell.
had expressed his willingness to sacrifice
this glory, in order to conserve the
public interest AMI, finally, if there
WAS TO, be any investigation, it should
be made by a special committee, and
not by any standing committee
Mr.. Hayes of Lowell Joined in the op-
position to any investigation.
Mr.. Hayes, in his closing words, de-
clared that the investigation should be
made, if made at all, by the committee
on manufactures.
Mr.. Myers of Cambridge, in support
of the order declared that it mattered
not whether the persons responsible for
certain charges were spotlesS or not
hat it offered an opportunity for the
Legislature and the people to learn some
thing of the methods and actions of cor
porate interests clothed with extraor-
dinary privileges.
In reply to the statements that moth
ing could be done by legislation, Mr.
Myers reminded the house that all con
tracts between street railway and rail
road corporations were subject to the
approval Of the railroad commissioners
and that the legislature could insist
upon similar approval of gas contracts
by the gas commission. 1t was high
time that this legislation should be en-
acted.
Mr.. Reed of Taunton made a ringing
speech for the adoption of the order
and denounced the interference of the
lobby
Mr.. Stone of Springfield held that ii
was the duty of every member of the
house, on the evidence reported by the
committee on rules, to vote for the in
Vestigation, and claimed that a specia
both branches was demanded.
Mr., Bennett of Saugus opposed the
order and declared that there was nC
merit whatever in it. He compared the
personality Of Henry NJ. Whitney will
that of Thomas w Lawson.
Mr.. Russell of Worcester decried the
attempt to stampede the house by al
attack on Lawson. Pending the discus
sion the house adjourned
Leave to withdraw was reported OF
The petition of James H. Howland an(
others for an extension of time for thu
organization of the Worcester Real Es
tate Association.
Leave to withdraw was reported OF
tine petition for the Incorporation of thu
Hartford Surety and Guaranty Com
pany
Bills were reported: To provide TO
electrocution as the method of inflictin.
death penalty. and that all execution
shall take place at the state prison, ant
10 establish board of park commits
sioners for New Bedford
The committee on rules reported ia
vorably for the admission of the bills
under a suspension of the rules, to pre-
vent fines for imperfect weaving; for tn
extending the time for the construction
of the Millbury, Sutton and Dougla
railroad; to authorize Lynn to borrow
$4,000 for school building purposes. Tn
reports were accepted.
IN THE SENATE.
Ought not to pass was reported on
bill for board of public works in Bos
ton, offered by Senator Davis of suf
folk
A resolve was offered by Senator Gal
livan for the payment Of the balance o
the salary of the late Senator Jane
H. Hayes to his mother.
A bill to fix the time for payment 0
assessments on highway construction il