Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-03-09
ST. LOUIS POLICE BILL DEAL
ADMINIsTR ALTON GAINS CONTROL OF
THE METROPOLIS.
jackson County Loses Si,.OOO Yearly
10y split In Dramshop Revenue
mud 81. LOuiS Must Now
Pay s5O.OOO for
Her Police.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. March S.-tSpe-
cialD Had the Jackson county delegation
held together to-day the dramshop license
would have been saved 10 the county road
fund and the ST, Louis police bill would
have been defeated. The Dowell bill to
take slJo from the county on each yearly
license and give it TO the state was sent
10 enSrossmrnt by the senate this morn
ing Tn. indications are that the bill will
pass the senate. The only hope for de-
t-arfng II was through deal in the house
with the Republicans on the ST. Louis po-
lice hill. The dramshop measure VIII take
$1,000 away from the road fund of Jackson
county.
1t was generally understood this morn
ing that Il scheme was on foot TO suspend
the rules and force through the police bill
in the afternoon. 1t also became known
that precipitate action was iiStasteful TO
certain politicians OF ST. Louis who feared
the anger of the business men of that city
shonld 4 vote be taken without an oppor-
tunity being given them 10 be heard on the
bill. Frank Phillips took advantage of this
fact to make "A deal with the Democrats
of ST. Louis. whereby thirteen Democrats
agreed 20 vote 10 postpone the bill: when
Barrett. of ST. Louis, made his motion to
postpone every one of the thirteen voted
for il except Cleary.
Even then the motion would have carried
had rot Cardwel and Noel changed their
votes. When George Noel changed his vote
from AYE" to no TIL. result was n tie
G.: to 63. The motion to postpone the police
bill WAS lost. thus making the passage of
the dramshop revenue bill practical GER
,ainty.
When the house met this evening Senator
Drabelle and the police lobby were pres
ent on the floor. Colonel christy, of Lafay
cite, moved TO suspend the rules anG take
up the ST. Louis police bill kueisley, of
Carroll. sometime Filipino. lately tanned
by Lon \. Stephens, seconded the motion.
Barrett. Democrat, of St. Louis, moved
as amendment that the bill be made
special order for Tuesday afternoon.
March u. When the vote on Barret-'s mo-
ton resulted in Il tie. Johnston, of 81.
Louis county. changed his vote in order to
move reconsideration. But after Speak
er Ward had recognized Johnston. without
giving him an opportunity TO make his
motion he recognized Kneislcy 10 move the
previous question. 1t was plain to every
one that Johnston had the floor, but Ward
was stubborn ard refused to listen to his
protests. Johnston at last appealed from
the decision of the chair. The Republicans
demanded the ayes and noes, but
Ward declared the chair sustained without
even putting the no" vote. Even the
Democrats We're Gisgusted at Wards ar
bitrary action. Kisses were heard from all
parts of the room.
When the tumult and the shouting died
away. Colonel Christy's motion TO take up
the bill was carried by a vote of IS to 81.
Representatives James. of st. Louis
county; kaskadon, of Franklin. and Bee
die. of ST. Louis. also made strong and
logical arguments against the bill. declar
ing it TO be the most vicious and obnoxious
measure that ever legislature passed. But
their arguments availed for naught. The
Democrats obeyed king Caucus and sub
mitted tameiy to the governor. The gigantic
police machine of S.. Louis created by
the votes of Seventy-eight Democrats.
Every Republican present, fifty of them.
voted, no"
The bill now only awaits the signature of
the governor to become a law. and since it
places him practically in control OF ST.
Louis her police affairs. her elections and
her revenues, no one doubts that Stephens
will sign ii. The bill faSiens upon the city
of St. Louis minimum expenditure of
s;as),VO year for the police department.
treasury is defenseless and may he plum
dered at will by the four Democratic police
commissioners appointed by the governor.
The senate committee on criminal juris-
prudence reported favorah!y Auditor Sci
bert'S bill which gives the state 500 and
shop license. After much debate the bill
was ordered TO enSrossment ny IA vote of
Il TO .. Its passage by the senate is as
Sured.