Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-05-22
QUIPS AND JESTS WERE ABSENT
EVEN THE ToAsTs WE'RE PoINTLEss
AND INANE.
Unfaithful Legislative Representa-
tiycs of the People Were Unable
to Forget Their Sins of 0mis-
sion and Commission-
Extra Session.

quet last night at the Madison hotel. This
was not unusual, for Democrats are always
banqueting, but the occasion last night
was far from a festal one. The spirit of
it was more like Il funeral than banquet.
Representatives sat around the banquet
board with solemn faces and ate and drank
almost in silence. Then came the toaSts.
Ordinarily these are bright and witty and
provoke peal after peal of laughter. Last
night-"Lo, from the tomb u loieful sound. "
James Whitecotton. of Monroe, was
POSTMASTER. He tried to infuse some
cheer into the gathering. He johed about
John w. Smith-"Diamond" Smith, of st.
Louisiana the legislator from a business
standpoint Everybody knew what he
meant, but the joke did not appear very
funny. 1t really seemed that the Demo-
Gratis of the house had ceased to treat
the buying and selling of votes as a laugh
ing matter. One could not claim for them
an awakened conscience, for the members
seemed sluggish, just like they had be-
come surfeited with lobby influence and
had grown over weary of it all.
Then Mr. Whitecotton called upon Judge
Organ of Dent, to compare the present
legislature with those of former years.
Judge Organ is well passed his four score
years and has been in public life for
third of a century. But he could draw no
comfort from the past and his speech, de-
livered in low. husky tones, sank to
pessimistic wall.
He Played n Sad Tune.
He said that he had been in many legis-
latures, but the Fortieth general assembly,
soon TO see its close, suffered greatly in
comparison He lamented the fact that the
lobby was now supreme. He appealed to
the Democrats to look back into history
and gather up some spirit of manhood
which the founders of the party had dis
played.
'There was no lobby in those days. he
said. "One of the most efficient members
of the assembly of 1875 was the now motor
ious Bill Phelps. But things have changed,
and corporations, which Phelps represents,
now seem to control u.s.
DIR. Delzell, of Webster responded much
in the same vein. The most he could say
was that there were some houest and noble
men in the house. He did not say word
about the senate No one had word OF
eulogy for the body that disgraced itself
and outraged the state yesterday.
Alexander NJ. Dockery candidate for gov-
ernor, was present at the banquet and had
a few brief words to say. But he could
get no response from his Democratic au.
ditors and the atmosphere grew colder and
colder. Perhaps when the congressman
spoke, his hearers were pondering the i'll
tiuences which are behind Dockery in his
candidacy. Perhaps they were thinking of
his political manager, James Monroe Sell
bert, state auditor, in whose Office Bill
Phelps and John Carroll made their head
quarters. while they summoned their pup
pets TO them from house or senate. At all
events. the reception he received last night
did not cheer Dockery in his race for state
office.
Fitting Finale.
Events last night were fitting finale to
the most profigate and disgraceful assem-
bly, in the history of Missouri. Bill Phelps,
from the corridor, directed the movements
of both the house and senate, convening in
night session. 1t was the critical moment
for him, for he had given out the ultima
tum that there should be no franchise
legislation. 1t was his business to prevent
1t, and he did. He moved members of the
house and senate about just like they were
men on cheSsboard. Just when the con-
ference committee was about to report, he
summoned his friend, Senator Frank Far
ris, to him. Farris at once went back and
moved to adjourn. and the Phelps senators
obediently adjourned
In the house Phelps was even bolder. For
time he stood just behind Speaker Ward
and prompted him at critical moments
When Ward named George Noel. of JACK.
son, and George Chiffon, of Shannon, con-
ferees to settle the differences between the
mouse ana tne senate on the question of
taxing franchises, everybody knew it was
a Phelps committee. The record of George
Noel especially mas been so notorious that
he can control scarcely a vote even among
his Democratic brethren. The committee
did what Ward and Phelps wanted done
Only the minority member. Dr. Wilson,
stood firm and refused to recede from the
franchise amendments.
The house supported him to a man, but
Phelps work was done. The legislature
now has only three hours Monday in which
to pass franchise bill before final ad-
journment.
Talk of IN Extra Session.
Now that the assembly is soon to ad-
journ there is renewed talk about an ex-
ira session. 1t is known that Stephens has
the call already written. but 1t is thought
that this was In anticipation of the de-
feat of the contingent appropriation bill
There is another reason. however, for call
ing an extra session. Stephens nor any of
his legal advisers believe the beer tax will
stand. In that case, the deficiency would
assume alarming proportions. 1t is said
that Stephens is worried and hardly knows
what to do. To further embarrass him,
call an extra session, for fear the assembly
will raise more havoc with the corpora
tions. Lon seldom disobeys Bill and he
hates to do SO in this case What he will
eventually do is something of a mystery.
If he calls an extra session within three
days ii will save mileage.
But whether the governor will call an
extra session or not he is anxious to pre-
vent the Democrats from going away to-