Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-01
futile. Hence. I NAV be pardoned. Mr..

futile. Hence. I may be pardoned, Mr..
President, for. at this time. exclaiming
ing legal defects that may kill this bill
when it shall come before the courts:
SUNG None ,hs OF rd its pH5hafiye fathers and r VII as
they will not declare that it is legally
sound. Those who urged the bill vilitied
Harris bill. l regret. Mr.. President, that
l am denied the privilege of voting for
the same bill now. For that vote l was
/ assume no responsibility. Let it rest
upon those who have prepared the bill, and
if any one of legal attainments can be
found to vouch for it. let the responsibIlitv
and the honor. if any. rest on him.
Mr.. President; il may be found at last
eral Boyle. Justice Allen. David Over
myer or Reporter Clemens. but L UNDER
stand that now they all disclatm it; Hence.
it may happen that when the legal ability
that fathered and erected the construction
of this bill is finally discovered. it may
distinguished lawyers and %jurists. the
Hon. Bailey. p. Waggener and the Hon.
Thomas Sedgwick. l have tried TO ascer-
tain the parentags of this bill. but. hav-
ing failed in the attempt. / leave all re-
sponsibility to its sponsor and vote aye"
Why thinner Boiled.
Senator thinner, the boiling Pop men,
Der, said:
In passing this bill you take from rail-
road workmen the right to express his
opinion when any difficulties arise"
Mr.. Crossan gave this explanation of
his vote:
them some railroad legislation. We be
lieved We could frame a maximum rate
court. l DO not agree with this bill in
every particular, but in general it is
good"
Senator Coleman's protest was as fol-
lows:
Whereas. House bill No. l, creating a
court of visitation. is inequitablc. unrea-
sonable. vicious and unconstitutional. and
is fraught with u~nwarrantable. unusual.
arbitrary and unjust requirements, with
out precedent and Subsersive of the right
OF many within our state:
precipitously thrust upon this senate with
out opportunity of a full, fair and due
consideration. and the full exercise OF de-
ed and passed within the secret chambers
OF n party caucus: that it fails to equit-
ably distribute justice TO all parties with
out distinction: that il reverscs the usual
established order OF civil procedure. in
%presuming guilt instead of innocence: that
ii creates new. and expensive offices tax
ing the people without cause: that it
creates an imperial autocrat and its en-
forcement is calculated to stir up strife.
Therefore ]. 4. l.. Coleman, represent
ing a constituency of 5000 people, and
on behalf of the people of the entire state.
do earnestly protest against the passage or
1 cdlu dil-
Senator LewellinE Explains.
Senator Lewelling made the following ex-
PLANTATION of his Affirmative vote:
1t is my purpose to vote for this Dill.
but ! would not be just to my constituents
and the people of the state If l did not
say, in doing so. that the bill IS far from
what | had expected at this session.
w are assembled here at the call OF the
chief executive. for the express purpose
of passing a railroad bill. and with all our
study of this question, and experience IN
the past. it would seem that we are well
qualified for this important duty. The ma
tional board of railroad commissioners mas
outlined its idea as TO the kind of btl
which would be most efficient: the state
board Of railroad commissioners. of which
! have the honor TO be a member, has
given give hin IN m isf report %dui rs bs cGn SEPT 81 ,ba a in rall-
estS of the people Of Kansas. The opin-
ions of these gentlemen, il L may be eX-
cepted, are at least worthy of considera.
ton: but the members of the majority body
of this legislature are at present forced 10
support this measure for the reason tina,
il 1t IS not passed: we Will be unable to OBJ
tain railroad legislation during this SEES
sion.
Neither the committee. the caucus, noI
the legislature framed this measure. and ],
is impossible to ascertain who gave il
birth. 1t increases and complexities the
machinery for the enforcement of railroad
legislation. 1t burdens the people with new
officers; it cripples its own efficiency by
surrounding the power for the enforcement
OF its orders with the dilatory methods
common to courts Of justice. Being simply
and only a court for the determination OF
questions. | cannot understand how Il car
do more than pass upon the simple propo-
sition as to whether rates are too high
or too low without the power to make oil
enforce a material reduction OF rates wheI
II has been decided that rates are zoe
high. 1t IS more expensive and less eff.
cient than a board of commissioners would
be. such board to be clothed with the pow.
er TO give notice of hearing. and after hear
ing to make and enforce its orders. 1t is
not in accordance with the principles OF
the party of which / have the honor to b.
a member for the reason that it multi
plies and increases the number OF judicia
offices. | trust it may prove to he for the
best interests of the people. but if / could
escape from the bonds of the caucus
would take pleasure in voting for a com.
missioner bill in line with the
tons of both the national and state boart
of railroad commissioners. AS l cannot C
this without violation of pledges already
made. l vote aye"
Senator Hessin presented n protest thi.
afternoon, embodying the protest Offered
the rrst day of the special session. against
the organization of the legislature. anG
asked that it be spread upon the tourna
as his reasons for opposing the measure.