Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-16

ward the close of the debate. At the
conclusion Of Senator sieber's eloquent
defense of the bill, Senator Harbaugh,
the clergyman, rose and, In n ringing
speech, announced that, after mucn
thought and long and carefui cons,d.
Grafton Of the provisions or the pro
posed law, he could not for consclen.
tious reasons solely, support It by his
vote.
/ MY heart and my conscience" he
said-and a whisper might have bee,
heard in the remotest corner of the
chamber-"My heart and my con
science tell me that this is an unwisc
measure and that to pass it is not the
thing to do. The people of the great
city Of Cincinnati. Ought to be compe-
tent to direct their own affairs and I
believe they are. In them lies the
power and the right to unhorse any
unworthy powers which may have got
into the saddle. The enactment of
this law would be a precedent not
good for my country or my state and
take this stand because believe II
| to be just and right and true-becausc
l believe in the inalienable right of
the American people to govern them
selves"
| AS Senator Harbaugh resumed his
seat, Senator Harding of Marion,
whose vote upon the question had been
considered in doubt, rose with an air
of deadly earnestness which, for
moment, made the friends OF the
measure afraid. His speech was the
most sensational of the day. He ack.
nowledged with perfect frankness
that he had determined to vote for tho
passage of the bill, simply because
it had been made party measure.
pressed by those who had spoken be-
fore him in favor of the ripper and
said that his vote was to be cast, not
as they had said, because the people
would be benefited by the enactment
Of the proposed law but solely because
the party Of which he is q member
desired its passage. He said, in
brief:
Il am confirmed in the habit of alb.
solute f-ankncss and could not vote
for this neasure IL did not first say
to each and all Of you that do so
because the passage OF the bill has
been made purely Il Republican meas.
ire. impugn 10 unworthy motives
to those who, favoring the bill, have
made lofty references to the constitu-
tiOn of the state and the best inter-
ests of the people. But shall ex-
plain my position honestly. believe
down In my heart that'r am incapable
OF making any demagogic pretence Of
considering the people and their wish.
es.
"Bnt / wish to present the imputa.
ton that am voting here merely ms
an automaton. l have had and still
have serious scruples against the pas
sage of this law, but l shall vote for
to the amendment because it defeats
the ripper, because it defeats partisan
legislation. / vote for the bill be.
cause it has been made Republican
measure and because precedent has
established the fact that the state must
assist in the government of the Queen
City. / am not willing to trust the
people Of a city which will foist into
power two such bosses as George b
Cox and Lewie Bernard.
PERSONALLY, I believe In Dossism, es.
pecially when l am on the side OF the
boss. Two years ago the Legislature
was guilty Of great wrong IN the
passage Of the Otis law. Two wrongs
do not make right, but he Is a cow
ard who hesitates to undue a wrong
Another thing must be considere,
The Republicans who are opposed to
the passage of the bill before us are
the greatest lot of knockers in the
party. l tell you frankly, gentlemen,
that this Is nothing but Republican
measure, framed for the purpose of re-
storing to the Republicans what was
wrested from them In political deal
two years ago and, for that reason,
solely, shall vote against the amend,
ment and for the bill"
So ended this remarkable speech.
Senator Nippert opened the argu-
ment in favor of the bill He spoke
briefly aud forcbly, giving as his prin-
clpal reasons for desiring its enactment
into law the fact that the present
l..