Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-27
FILIPIN0 RESOLUTION on SALARY
GRAB GOES OVER.
Whftecotton Delivers . Magnificent
Grafton i'm Favor of Immediate
AdOption-An Hours Heat
ed Debate-WiH Come
Up Again To-day.

drawing double pay from the state, Speak
er Ward applied the gag rule and the reso-
luton went over until tomorrow. The
Filipinos and the Republicans are standing
solidly together, and it is predicted that the
resolution will be adopted.
mo member will dare go back home and
tell his constituents that he approves of the
salary grab" is the way Matt Hall ex-
plains the situation. Mr.. Hall is not
radical, and he objects to its being said of
him that he is under the leadership OF Mr..
Whitecotton.
But 1t is not question Of who proposes
to call a halt" he says.
"The question for us to decide is whether
we can afford to indorse this illegal ap-
preparation of the peoples money. AS a
Democrat and as citizen. for one will
never indorse It."
The morning papers had published in full
the action of the Republican secret caucus
of last night, and the Ward faction in the
coup Of the Filipinos. In calling the order
of business, Speaker Ward hurried over the
subject of resolutions, and called for the
introduction of bills before the Fflipinos
realized that their opportunity had passed.
Several bills had been introduced before Mr..
Kneisley arose and asked unanimous con-
sent to introduce a resolution. There being
no objection the resolution was read.
1t set forth that several members were
drawing S. a day as members of special
committees in addition to the IS a day al
lowed to them as members of the house.
The section Of the constitution declaring
such extra pay illegal. was recited. and the
auditor was requested to refuse. to allow
the account, and the treasurer was request
ed to refuse to pay the same. kneisley
moved to adopt the resolution. Hamilton,
of Daviess, moved to make the matter
special order for next "wednesday, at 2
O'Clock. Many demanded the ayes and nays.
The clerk was just about to call the roll
when Clark, of Audrain. brought on
general discussion bya speaking in opposi-
ton to the resolution.
The Democrats had most OF the debate
to themselves, the regulars and the Fill
ipinos dividing the time. 1t was the policy
of the Republicans to remain quiet. but
to vote when the time came. Woods, Of
Mercer, and Jones, of Howell, however,
spoke against postponement.
1T IS a. very, clear proposition" said
Mr.. Jones, ".and I am ready to vote now"
III. is true- then. Is It. that ,yorr mind
is made up?" asked Hamilton. of Daviess.
..It most certainly is" answered Jones.
THE resolution sets forth that many men,
hers are receiving more money than the
law allows"
Didn't you attend secret caucus last
night and there agree to support the res
olutions?'-
THAT is matter that does not concern
you." retorted Mr.. Jones.
This crossfire between members con-
tinued for some time and there was great
confusion. Judge Hawkins. OF Marion,
spoke against the resolution.
I'VE are placing this auditing commit
tee in an -unfavorable light" said Judge
Hawkins.
..It is the members OF the committee who
have placed themselves in an unfavorable
light" answered Russell Kneisley.
James H. Whitecotton. of Monroe. made
the speech of the day.
There have been some things intimated
that I believe to be unjust" he began.
81 hoped that the time had passed in this
state when reflection would be cast upon
man and his motives impugned for stand
ing up on the floor of this house and pro-
testing against the profiigate use Of the
peoples money. CApplauseJ
THE man who cannot rise above the
petty politics Of party and speak for the
rights of the people is not worthy of
seat in this house. tCheers)
Never until yesterday-and I suppose
il is no credit to me to say ft-did L
dream that any member of this house had
dared to place himself upon the pay roll
twice. But this thing has been done and
is being done. You and L are responsible
If We permit it to continue. It is urright-
eous in principle and IS violation Of the
constitution: for one, ! am not going to
sit still any longer and allow the people Of
the state of Missouri to be mulched in this
way. This steal has been growing. II We
remain silent, when will it stop?''
Mr. whitecotton then quoted the figures
which were given in this mornings Jour-
nal, showing the increase each year of the
cost of the visiting committee to the state.
He showed that while in 1889 the committee
had drawn pay for only thirty-three days
of work, in 1887 the state was charged up
with 161 days
Il don't care whether it be a Republican
or Democrat who has taken money that
does not belong to him." continued Mr..
whitecotton. "it is time to call a halt. II
it is going to disrupt the Democratic party
TO protest against an unlawful and unjust
appropriation of money by members of the
party. then / am willing that it shall be dis
rupted."
Mr.. Whitecotton called attention to the
fact that William ]. Stone had vetoed a
bill appropriating for the extra pay of the
visiting committee. He had the veto mes.
sage read. He concluded by appealing to
the members of both parties to put them.
selves on record against the profiigate ex-
penditure of the peoples money.
Hamilton spoke in favor of his motion
TO contihue=the matter until next wednes.
day. He said that Mr.. whitecotton had
been at work for two weeks on the brilliant
oration he had just delivered and it was nc
more than fair that other orators should
have time allowed them to prepare
speeches Bohart. of Clinton. called for tn.
regular order. Speaker Ward sustained
him and announced that since the morning
hour had expired reports OF standing com
mittees would be in order.
Kneisley appealed from the decision o
the chair, recalling that the regular ordel
had been unanimously suspended when hi.
nays were called for and then Whitecottol
arose TO ask as courtesy TO the chair tina
the appeal be Withdrawn.
Il am not asking courtesies" said Ward
sarcastically.
Since the speaker does not ask the ia
ror. will grant 1T retorted Kneisley.
whitecotton then moved that the rule
be suspended and consideration of resolu
tion be continued. The speaker ruled tina
the rules could not be suspended when :
member had called for the regular orde
at the expiration OF the morning hour
Many protested against the ruling hu
-.f rz1-e