Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-22


EXPECTED SOURCE = WHEEL
ING BRIDGE BILL PASSED.
Special to the Register.
Charleston, w. Va, February 21.-A
continuance of the battle between the
monopolists and the people on the floor
of the Senate was the feature of to-
days session of the Legislature. In so
far as the measures under considera-
ton are concerned, some Republican
Senators were fat-footed in advocacy
of the corporation side. Even when a
vote of the Senate indicated senti-
ment favorable to the taxation of the
express companies, they did not grace
fully acquiesce in the will of the ma
jority, but continued the fight by dila-
tory motions which only resulted in a
waste of time that is becoming very
valuable.
A very peculiar phase of the situa-
ton is the fact that Attorney General
huChCI anu OCCICJolJ VI OCe1IC 11o"oO
are aiding the Democrats in their fight
against the monopolies. Democrats do
not question their honesty of purpose,
but their motives are publicly i'm
plunged by Senators on the majority
side. Mr.. Rucker secured a sufficient
numper of Republican votes to assist
the Democrats in reconsidering the
vote by which the omnibus bill was
substituted for the express bill.
The express bill was passed to its
third reading, and is now a special or
der for tomorrow morning, when it
will come up on its passage. The Re
publicans now threaten to punish At
torney General Rucker for his course.
1t lies within their power to do so, but
the injustice of their course will gain
friends for Mr.. Rucker in the Demo-
cratic House 1t is proposed to deprive
Mr.. Ruc..er of an appropriation for
special work in the Ohio county liquor
cases, which has been allowed by the
finance committees.
The reconsideration of the vote by
which the express bill was amended,
was the matter pending when the Sen
ate took a recess at noon until two
O'Clock. The omnibus bill was the
special order on the calendar for three
o'clock During the recess it was
openly stated that the monopolistic
lobby had arranged matters so that
the Senate would be delayed in getting
down to business till three o'clock,
when the special order for that hour
would be called up, thereby preventing
consideration of the matter pending,
and also cutting out the special order
for two o'clock. The Senate began
business a few minutes before three
and few minutes after the hour,
Senators Kidd and Whitaker were upon
their feet seeking recognition. The
latter was recognized and Immediately
called for the special order for three
o'clock.
AS may be supposed, the Democratic
and Republican friends of the express
bill were not in an amiable frame of
mind relative to this apparent confir-
nation of the report which had been
freely circulated.
Senator Kidd warmly insisted upon
his rights, adding that if it were nee
essary to resort to such tactics he
would be found to be as fertile in such
resources as the friends of the monop-
olistic corporations.
Senator Marshall stated that he had
been i'll during the noon recess.
Senator Whitaker resented the insin-
uation of Senator Kidd that there had
been any collision, displaying consid
cradle temper.
Senator Kidd replied that he insisted
upon his point and had no apology to
make in the matter.
The chair ruled that the announce
ment of the vote on the valued policy
insurance bill, which had been the spe-
cial order for o'clock, had precedence
over the order for three O'Clock The
valued policy bill was then passed by
a vote of Ia to II. 1t is said that the
Governor will veto the measure.
The omnibus bill was then put upon
its passage. Senator Osenton, in ex-
planning his vote, said he had not IA
vored the bill in its present form, but
he had seen the combination of the
monopolistic interests against it and
felt that he would be recreant to his
trust if he did not vote for it. Senator
Whitaker said he had objected to
the bill, but had heard so much about
the burning necessity for taxing the
corporations that he decided to vote
AYE" The omnibus bill passed.
House bill No. q was then taken up,
in spite of the distractions. The omni-
bus bill which had been substituted
after the enacting clause, was rejected,
and the original bill went to its third
reading. Senator Osenton moved to
make it the special order for tomorrow
morning at H.: 80 o'clock, and Senator
Cole moved to substitute Thursday at
three o'clock. Speaking upon his