Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-04-16
LOCKED THE REPUBLICANS IN
THEY COULD NOT MUSTER A QUORUM
IN ANY OTHER WAY.
Turned the Keys and Compel Repub-
licans by Force Virtually to
Vote for a Measure to Which
They Are bitterly
Opposed.

Foul means were employed to-day to en-
gross the Nesbit bill, the election law
which the Democrats of this assembly pro-
pose to apply to the people of St. Louis,
whether the people of st. Louis want 1t
or not By this bill it is proposed to take
from the people of ST. Louis the right to
control their elections and place the>man-
agemeEt Of elections in the hands of a
commission named by the governor.
But in their haste to reach by foul means
ends that could not be otherwise obtained,
selves. They transacted business behind
locked doors, with the Republican men,
bers refusing to vote and clamorins to be
permitted to leave the hall. Even Demo-
cratic lawyers of this assembly admit that
the constitution is plain on one point-that
no business shall be transacted behind
locked doors except in executive session.
Consequently, the unfair work of to-day
may not stand, and it is believed that the
Democrats themselves will endeavor Mon
day to undo it. However, the journal of
the house is in the hands of the Demo-
Gratis, and it can be "doctored'' to meet
the demands of the hour. That method
would certainly be in harmony with the
work of to-day
The Nesbit bill was, called up for en-
grossment in the house this morning. Re-
publicans had been informed that the
Democrats had agreed on some sort of a
measure for st. Louis, but its terms were
understood only in general way Hawk
ins. of Marion, Immediately offered an
amendment striking out all after the enact
ing clause and inserting the bill prepared
by Democratic caucus. 1t was as long
as the moral law and no Republican
had ever seen it. Hawkins Immediately
moved the adoption of the amendment
This method of pushing new bill through
several stages without giving interested
members chance to know its contents
was instantly resented. Mr.. Charles Smith,
of st. Louis, requested that the bill be laid
over till Monday, as many of the ST. Louis
members were absent, but the Democrats
howled. mo, no. Then Mr.. James de-
manded the reading of the amendment at
length. This is a right never before denied
any member, but, on motion of Scott. OF
Williams, seconded by Colonel Trane,
speaker pro tenn. the reading of the amend
ment was suspended. Mr.. James demanded
the "ayes" and noes" He was accused
of resorting to dilatory tactics.
"I'l use dilatory tactics shouted Mr..
James, when you people resort to such
dirty methods to railroad a bill through this
house,
Then, despite the protests of members
who declared they ought to know what
they were voting on. the roll was called on
the motion to suspend the reading Of the
amendment. By vote of Al ayes to. So
noes. the motion was adopted. -, 81.
BY this time the Republicans were angry.
They were Handicapped, however. by lack
of numbers. OF the ST., Louis delegation
alone. seven Republicans were absent,
Messrs. Beedle, Biggs, Busche, Pareira,
Paule. Peery and Walsh. Messrs. Erhart,
Mackensen. Charles w. Smith and Wilson,
and Barrett and Quinn, Demo-
Gratis, were present. An effort was made
to adjourn. but the speaker declared it lost,
refusing to order a roll call, though
dozen Republicans demanded it.
+, Another appeal was made for fair play,
but 1t fell on needless ears.
Mr.. Jones. of Howell, then moved to Law
the bill over informally. So great was the
clamor for ayes and noes that the speaker
was compelled to recognize it. The motion
to lay over was declared lost by a vote
of Is ayes to so noes. Barrett, of st, Louis
moved the previous question and 1t was de-
clared carried. Then the roll was called
IL.
The vote stood 81 ayes to z noes and the
amendment was declared adopted, though
the vote cast lacked thirteen of showing
quorum.
On the motion to engross the bill the ayes
and noes were again demanded. The result
was 81 ayes to 1S noes. Several Republic
ans refused to vote, declaring that they
would not vote on a question of which
they had no knowledge.
Just then somebody told Kneisley, of
Carroll, that the record would show that
the bill had been ordered engrossed with
out quorum Kneisley jumped to his feet
and demanded call of the house. In
stantly the big double doors were locked
and a man was stationed at each of the
cloalroom doors. Then, like the man who
had the bear by the TAIL having made pris-
oners of the Republicans, the Democrats
did not know what to do with them. The
speaker was a. sea. He attempted long
and hesitating explanation of the method
that should be followed to compel the Re-
publicans to vote. When he had finished
the Democrats were more mystified than
ever. 4
Fine EN-" shouted one.
Hang EN-" yelled another.
Meanwhile, the Republicans sat coolly in
their seats, greatly enjoying the dilemma
in which the Democrats found themselves
The roll was called. Sixty-five members
answered there Bohart moved that all
members not answering to their names be
recorded as present. The speaker conveyed
the information that it was within the
breast of the house" to punish the men,
bers who refused to answer. There were
renewed demands for the execution of the
members who would not participate in
the proceedings.
Finally. Matt Hall. of Saline, pointed out
Messrs. Smith. of ST. Louis: Pickler and
Sullivan and demanded that they be re-
corded as present. The speaker ordered the
clerk to make a note Of II; Then Mr.. Bo-
Thilenius. Prather, of Taney: Wilson, of
ST. Louis: Stewart and Pope. of Gaaconade
and asked that they be recorded as pres
ent. Members were on their feet all over
the house demanding recognition. and the
din was terrific. The speaker declared all
the members named to be present and an
nounced that, as 72 members were present,
there was quorum.
Then came the climax of the unfair
methods. DR.. Tubbs made the point of
been completed the doors should be un-
locked The speaker admitted that the
point was well taken. but whether because
he was "rattled' or because 1t was a part
of the scheme, he would not order the
doors unlocked. Mr.. James and Mr.. ORAL
prevented by the sergeant-at-arms. who
had the key in his pocket and refused to
permit the members to leave.
In vain did the members furiously de-
mand that the doors be unlocked The
A PRE-DIGEsTED FOOD.
The famous novelty in foods. Grape-Nuts
is pre-dIgested and furnishes the human