The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-10
M'CARRELL BILL POSTPONED
In Pennsylvania House of Represent
ntivcs by Very Close Votc--A
Warm FiGht-Yestcrday's Ballot

HARRISBURG. Pa. Feb. 9.-The Nc
carrell jury bill was postponed this
afternoon by the house until March 81,
by vote OF 90 to %. The bill was
reached on second reading shortly after
5 o'clock and was discussed for more
than an hour before this decision was
reached. The debate was opened by Mr..
McElheny. OF Allegheny, and closed by
Mr.. fowler. OF Forest. Tho principal
speeches were made by Mr.. Bliss, OF
Delaware, and Mr.. Dixon, OF Elk, both
OF whom opposed the measure. Mr..
voorhees,. OF Philadelphia, was tho
chief sponsor. At the conclusion OF his
remarks. Mr. Dixon moved to postpone
further consideration OF the proposition
Until March q. After the vote on this
question the house adjourned until to-
morrow morning. Seventeen Democrats
voted against the motion TO postpone
and five Quay Republicans for t.
Mr., McElhenP's objection 10 the bill
was that IL was unconstitutional
Mr. Dixon. OF Elk. said the bill was
grossly unfair and inconsistent and a
fraud on its face. He denied that IL was
In the interest of the laborinE man. as
alleged by Its friends. The people OF
the state have been deceived by few
missionaries Of labor TO believe that tho
measure was In their interests. AS to
the allegation that the bill was Il DEM
ocrat!c measure In 1883. Mr.. Dixon said
this was not true. Governor Pattison,
ex-senator Wallace and other Demo-
cratic representatives did not support
the measure at that time. The speaker
read letter from ex-senator Charles
Il. Buckalew, OF Columbia, written in
1897, in which he says the bill ought not
TO pass for the reason that the common
law upon this question, which has eX-
listed for nearly six hundred years in
England and for more than swo hun
dred gears III Pennsylvania is n wise
and reasonable law. and should remain
substantially unchanged. He said there
was no need 10 hurry through the bill
at this time and moved TO POSTPONE fur
ther consideration until March q.
Mr.. Skinner. OF Fulton, opposed the
motion and offered an amendment that
further consideration be postponed un-
til o'clock this evening.
Mr.. SINNERS motion was ruled out OF
order and the house took up the motion
Of Mr.. Dixon.
Mr.. Bliss. OF Delaware, said the meas
ure was too important to be discussed
for only few hours.
The bill ought to be postponed until
some later day. so that it may be dis
cussed solely on its merits
The measure is So carefully worded
that 1t entirely excludes the laboring
classes from It's benefits. while on its
tace II appears not 10 do this.
Mr.. fowler. OF Forest. said leaisla-
tioA ought not to be stopped by the Nc
Cprrell Dill and the house should get rid
.: this measure by taking vote on II.
Mr.. kcater, Of Philadelphia. said the
opponents Of the bill were denied the
right By the judiciary general commits
tee when the bill was under considera-
tion by that body to be heard by sin
gle person from without. while its
friends had several persons at the COM
mlttce meeting.
Mr., Coray. OF Luzerne. said the friends
of the bill were opposed 10 postpone
ment until March Il. because they would
have no Use Tor the measure after Feb
ruary- Is.
Mr.. voorhees,. OF Philadelphia. said
the house already had ample time to
consider this measure. il has been be-
fore the legislature at every session
since 1851. II passed the house IN 1897.
and was beaten In the senate by the ac-
tioa of eX-District Attorney Graham.
The !all was called on motion TO post
Done and resulted as follows: Yeas, 90:
NAYS g.