The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-02-10

Special STAFF Correspondence.
OLYMPIA. Fee s.--TheTe was hgsEinE
as Of hornets reS; let loose in tAe senate
this afternoon when Senator Runner OTTER
cd his amendment 10 the rales. Mf. Run
l'er had previously given notice Of his in
tention 70 ask for a change in rule IL 4
the rules governing the senate. sad It was
known tG certain circles that his desire was
To offer an amendment tha, would require
4 record 20 be taken Of all motions and
votes 80 committee of the whole. the same
as in geaeral session. Runners amend
uent vas the addition of three lines 10 The
rule as follaws;
THE secretary of the senate shall keep
a record OF the proceedings OF the commit
Tee Of the whole and the same shall be en-
tered In the senate Journal
some senator. Mere AEitntea.
There Was d little furry. and II seemed
for moment that there would be warm
debate, bat the senator merely cut II OF
by moving an amendment to motion by
flunagncr 10 postpone action antii tomor-
TOW. which motion prevailed.
II was. perhaps, just as well. rs IL was
discovered that the Runner amendment did
not "a % The bottom Of the question Sen
ATE rule =, Just following the one Runner
seeks TO amend, provides:
The rules OF the senate shah apply %
proceedings in committee of the whole. ex-
cept that the previous question shall not
be ordered nor the yeas and nays demand
eS. but the committee may limit the num-
ber OF times that any member may speak
at any stage or the proceedings during It's
sittings.'
Runners error is not a vital enc however,
as at best Il will DO no more than sie.ay
action on the rule another day. enc days
notice being required before "a change OF
rules can be voted on. In this ca.e Run
uer gave notice Of intention TO change rule
II, and Il Is doubtful IL rule ~ can be
changed without another days notice.
VIII Prevent tndcrhnnd~d Action.
No matter how much the members may
pretend they do not understand the reason
for the proposed rule. the fact Is they do.
!, Is Intended 10 throw some light in the
public records on the work of the senate in
committee OF the whole on the railroad bu
soon to come UP. and the vote on this Will.
perhaps. show about how the different
members propose "a stand I'm the railroad
fight. In previous seasons all Of the work
of corrupt Legislators in amending and
destroying the value of bills on freight rates
has been done in committee OF the whole.
and no record OF the work and votes OF the
members IN this important work was ever
kept tn the senate Journal for reference by
constituents.
Senator Runner went through this ex-
perience two years ago. lie saw the rail-
road bin slaughtered and stahbed by pre-
tended friends of the farmer. without a
record LETT behind 20 show the people tho
real part .hey took in the aisTepur able az
fair. He does not propose 70 be eaugh, in
like fnaansr this year and hence ssas
for q change In the rules.
Il VIII b. interesting tomorrow 20 watch
the vote. 20 see those who have csrfup;
tendencies squlrm iu nn ero4s 70 esaape gs-
iug on record at this ;lme on rule that
can in}are no honest man ana merely
tarows little daylight On Iiae Of work
that 10 yerY near auG very aear 20 ,ae com
raon people. II requires a two-tbrds vote
q ste senate IN amend A rule
Lobbyists Have DifneuIt Task.
The railroad fight IS reaching an inter
es1.nF stage. The lohbyiets have found
Il more difficult tsan fhey imagined 20
control TIE upper house of the legislature,
ard they are re8oubling their efforts n
II said there was some trouble today when
orr Of he senatoEs on the committee who
had slwaye been counted aa "A railroad
tool. had announced his Independence. ani
said that he could not nght the grain rate
bil
Another story is that she railroads have
conb.aed their funds and haYe let tlie cos.-
tract 81 controlling ire legislature to
t1o ry1en-one member Of tho senate ard
the other lobbyist who - very secsetlve.
and who has a grsat habit ot always be-
ing around bat newer being seen. These
men are said to get iurnp ssgua for doing
their work ard ali tneT ear Save o. thefr
etougracg" IA their oen. They ars work.
fnS the personal frisnasHlp trick. They
are furnishing liquors ~ the quart 20
members. and gaining Their fEi-ndshlp and
the reputation q being good fellows
Another method - 20 bold Of from cer-
tain members un0 are uoE quick 10 c0rns
up and fsclare thefr IoFzify ~ the raii-
reads ger laHI4-ce. lf = sad tbat the
Great Northern tas turae8 over 10 Libby
faf Stevenson PASSES for every msr0heF ot
ths legislature. Instead cf ateyenaon
sending than 20 the members IN letter.
aa was the Old met nod. - holds rhera
hack ard gets wgfA 20 ina Members that
trey rtr peg Il pass fFeUi nffB f&fsvsnNor}.
TIE suteaslon - - ges ths member under
obstEa.sons sor tire pass