Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-03-07
FIGHT OYER RAILROAD BILLS
An Interesting Session of the
House at Dover.
THE ADDlCKSITES WERE FOOLED
And One of Their Clubs Taken
From Them.
Representatives Clark and Holcomb Led
Them Into the Trap-AIl the Compromise
railroad Tax Bills Called Up and Passed.

Representatives Clark and Holcomb Led
Them Into the Trap-An the Compromise
railroad Tax Bills Called Up and Passed.
Special Correspondence of Gazette and journal.
EDover, March Am Addioks club
was wrested from the grasp of the
Union Republicans on Saturday after
noon, when they were attacked by the
Democrats and Regular Republicans
after Representatives Clark and Hol-
comb had adroitly led them into q
trap. The Addicksites did not discover
their predicsment in time to retreat.
They suffered defeat in the killing Of
the Arou amendment to the committee
amendment to the House bill readiust-
ing the amounts to be paid by the
Delaware Railroad Co. in Communication
of its State taxes and the passage Of
the bill an amended in COMMITTEES.
The House was transacting business
alphabetically on roll call and when
the name of Representative Clark was
reached, he announced that, If there
was no objection, he would give way to
Representative Holoomb, who desired
to present some business Immediately,
and he would take Representative
Holcomb's place on roll-call. The
Union Republicans, not seeing the
trap, did not vbiect, and the PROPOSE
tion was assented to by unanimous
consent IL the trick had failed, the
Railroad Tax bills could not have been
called up before the middle of this
week.
Ooncealing his delight ever the sue
cess Of the ruse, Representative Hol-
comb called up for final action House
bill OF miner Importance, which was
speedily passed. Next, he called up
the House bill readjusting the amounts
to lie paid by the Delaware, Maryland
and Virginia Railroad Co. in commuta-
tlon of its State taxes. Then, the Ad-
dicksites awoke. Scratching his head
and smiling, Representative Moore,
the Union Republican leader in the
House, arose and remarked: when |
assented to Representative Clarls's
proposition, did not know that it was
loaded" Representative Holcomb, who
stood on the opposite side of the cham
ber, glanced at Representative Moore
and smiled, and theh other members
gave vent to laughter. After the inerri-
ment had ceased, the bill was given
third reading and passed as amended.
The Union Republicans did not to-
come aggressive until the House bill
readiusting the amount to be paid by
the Delaware Railroad Co. in COM
mutation of its State taxes was callod
up. The Aron amendment, liking
the taxes at $50, 900 d year, was con-
sidered first. 1t was killed by vote
of -22 to 9;eaHd the committee, amenil
inent fixing the taxes at $40, 00Osn
year, was unanimously adopted, aa,l
the bill as thus amended was pas sed
without opposition.
During the discussion on the Dela
ware, Maryland & Virgioia Rni.rad .
Tax bill, Representativ Holcomb said:
''The question has been fully uls-s
cussed by John Biggs on behalf OF the
railroad, and by A. N. Brown on behalf
of the other side At this late day, il
would be much better 10 accept the
sum recommended by the COMMITTEE
than not to get anything"
Representative Hope, Union Re-
publican and chairman of the com
mittee on private corporations. said he
thought the D., M. g. Y. adjustment
was iair.
Representative Clark said g think
all the adjustments are equitable,
especially when tho excessive taxes of
the Philadelphia, Wilmington & .Balti-'
more Railroad Co. are considered.
Representative Shallcross led the op-
pos tion so the Aron amendment to ths
committee amendment to the Delaware
Railroad Tax bill.
Representative Hope announced that
he would not vote for the Aron amend
ment. 1l5A
Representative Moore said: ~ am
a member OF the committee that re.
ported the bill; /; but as / favor incress-
ing the revenue of the State l will vote
r..
One Democrat, Representative
Wright, voted for the Aron amend.
ment: two Union Republicans, Rep
resentatives Hope and Prettyman, voted
against it, and one Union Republican,,
Representative Short. declined to vote.
The vote was as follows;
Ayes-Representatives Aron, Glen
daniel, Ewing, Layton, Long, Moore,
White and Wright and Speaker Nc
Commons.
Noes-Representatives CLARK, Dayett,
Finn, Gooden, Hardesty, Hearu,
Healy, Kitchen, Hodgson, Holcomb,
Hope, Hutchinson, Monaghan, Pillipg,
Prottyman, Robertson. Ralph. Shall
cross, Scotten, vinyard, Warren and
West.
After the defeat of the Aron amend
ment, the Union Republicans unani-s
mously voted for the committee amend
ment.
The Senate will probably concur in
the bill as amended.
The House passed, as amended. the
House bill readjusting the amounts TO
be paid by the Wilmington Northern
Railroad 90. in Communication OF its
State taxes. The vote of Representa-
tive Robertson was the only negative
one.