Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-10-09
The Franchise
Dill Reviewed.
Hon. Fred. +. Ikcler Condemn
ed 1t Before the House.
Supported By E. G. Roeers After the
Vote on Third Amendment.

Vote on Third Amendment.
Tn order to show the people that
Scouten is trying to deceive them
in reference to Rogers vote on the
Franchise bills, we reprint from
the Philadelphia Record Of June 6,
1901, portion of that which ap-
peared in the news and editorial
columns. Let the reader bear in
mind that these two bills were pass
ed june 8, 1901, and that Rogers
voted for both of them. Bear in
mind that he voted in favor of two
of the amendments, was absent
when the third amendment was
voted on, and thep voted against
all the other amendments and for
the two bills. The "Record' had
these headlines June 6, the day af-
ter the bills were passed.
IKELER SCORES HOUSE FOR IT'S
WICKEDNESS.
SAYS PASS AGE OF RAILWAY RIP.
PER IS GREATEST INIQUITY.
Alleged Dishonesty of the Measures is
Shown by Opponents, Who Fought Hard
for Their Improvement.
These bills were opposed by Dix
on, Greasy, Mayne and the leading
democrats; just before the vote was
taken, Fred T. Ikler of Columbia
county, and who is well known in
Sullivan county, made a speech in
which he said, in part, as reported
by the "Record.
"In rising to speak few words on this
bill," said Ikeler, 81 do not entertain the
slightest hope that any weak words OF
mine can stem the tide of political profi-
gacy that has swept over this chamber.
But In opposing this monstrous measure
the few men on this side OF the House
have at least the same consolation that
animated one of England's greatest states
men, who, when crushed and defeated by
majority drunk with power, exclaimed,
as he was being carried out from the scene
Of his legislative labors physical wreck,
TO rest upon the couch of death Thank
God the people will understand in time
"If there is one man among the ruling
majority on this floor who has not lost his
independence in the struggle for political
power; if there is still one among your
number who dares to he master of his
own opinion; ] want to appeal to that
man.
Corporations formed under this act will
practically stake off our unoccupied high
ways and use them for the purpose OF
barter and trade. BY the provisions of
this bill they are given purchasing power
never before dreamed OF in any scheme OF
corporate legislation. They give neither
security nor compensation, and are not
obliged even to proclaim the purpose of
their Incorporation. They possess SOW
ereign power of the Commonwealth; they
may obstruct, or crush. or promote, and
they may do it all without one cent OF
actual investment.
''The whole scheme Of this bill is not
to promote railway building, but to seize
upon public franchises for selfish purpos-
es, or in the interest of political machine
Let me ask you, Mr.. Speaker, this ques-
ton: Was ever an honest measure pass.
ed as this measure will be passed? Did
ever a righteous cause demand such in.
iquitous support?
Reported into this House in the face and
teeth of its standing rules and orders, and
by virtue of the ruling of the chair,which
| dare not dispute, but which at least was
most peculiar, railroaded beyond every
precedent, past or present, does it bear the
earmarks of honest legislation.
Yet in spite of this appeal to
him by Ikler, Rogers voted for the
bills. Remember he voted for the
1st and End amendments offered
by Greasy, he was absent when the
3rd amendment was voted on and
he voted against the other amend
ments and for the bills. We ask
ed Scouten and Rogers to tell us
who he saw between the 2nd and
4th amendments? What was said
to him? Why did he change his
mind? This was "boodle bill"
according to the Record and
Scouten himself. 1t was in the