Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-02-16

splendid Management of the Battle
at Harrisburg-The story of the Past
Week in the Political Drama Being
Enacted at the State Capital.
Especial Correspondence
Harrisburg, Feb. 1S.-Last week was
an exciting one in Legislative circles.
1t witnessed several new triumphs for
the Democratic party and for its able
leader, Colonel James NJ. Guffey. Thi
most striking episode was the post
ponement of the McCarrel jury bill un-
til March u next. This fixes consider
alton of the bin beyond the date set for
the trial of Matthew Stanley Quay.
1t is needless to say that this result
was brought around by the Democracy
working in harmony with theindepend
ent Republicans. Much of the legis-
IatiVe and parliamentary victory on
the floor of the house was due to such
able leaders as Dixon of Elk. Greasy of
Columbia, Fow of Philadelphia and
Haag and O'Brien of Schuylkill. 1t is
to be regretted also that II Democrats
voted against postponing action and
practically in favor of the bill the main
object of which is to help Quay.
STORY OF THE FIGHT.
The fight over this bill. which was
the most notable of the session occur
red between and o'clock last Thurs
day night. 1t was the policy of the
Democrats and Independent Republi-
cans to fight by means of hlibustering
tactics, but the action of the Phladel-
phia judge in postponing the date of
Quay's trial from Feb. 20 to Feb. p in
terfered with this plan. II was dis
covered that it would be impossible to
hold up legislation until Feb. 27 by fill
clustering. although there is now and
will continue to be popular belief
that any means that could be used to
defeat this measure would be perfectly
/ justitiable. A count of noses was held
on Wednesday, and it was decided to
/ let the bill come up in regular order the
next day and make the issue then.
Accordingly when it came up Repre-
/ sentative McElhaney, of the indepen-
dent Republicans, made a speech
against it, and then George r. Dixon,
of Elk, one of the ablest Democrats in
house or senate, made a magnificent
speech of nearly - minutes on the
measure. In substance he denounced
the bill as a fraud, with fraud written
all over it. He declared that It's sole
purpose was to assist one man, and for
this end 1t had been rushed through
the senate and over into the house with
lightning speed, The necessity for rail-
reading the bill through was that the
trial Of Senator Quay came off about
the 9th Of the month and it was to
make the law effective in his case that
the bill was being rushed. He directed
attention to the fact that laboring men
had been beguiled by cunning tongues,
who told them this bill would help them
in certain trials for misdemeanor. This
also was fraud, because it would do
nothing of the kind. At the close of his
remarks he moved that further action
on the bill be postponed until March q
QUAY CROWD SURPRISED.
This sudden action was surprise to
the Quayites. They had not anticipated
it, and Immediately began asking foI
more time to consider the bill They
r pleaded for the house to take recess
until o'clock at night that the mem.
bers might more thoroughly under,
7 stand so important a measure. Tht
I Democrats and independents pointed
out that this action in asking for NOR,
] Nliilt W do III 81 dilEF NbulldSl Win lll'
e actions of Quays friends in rushing tn
: bill through to this point. They refused
to grant more time. The vote was takel
to postpone and it was carried by th'
= close margin of 90 ayes to 30 nays. Th
r Democrats who voted with the Qua,
Republicans against postponinG the bi,
' We're as as follows:
G Anderson of Schuylkill
= Boyle Of Luzerne.
: Christman Of Columbia,
d Cole of Adams.
o Constein of Schuylkill.
Duttera of Adams.
Guenther Of Schuylkill.
r. Hoy of Clarion.
j. Keegan of Fayette,
j., kaylor of York.
II Rosenberg of Montgomery.
q kayler of York. -
= Skinner of Fulton. -
Smith of Clinton, .-
: Spatz of Berks. o..
@ Tighe of Luzerne.
Timin of Lackawanna.
SIBI.EY HELPING orAT