The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-25

But the need is SO pressing that many Of
the country members feel justified in hold
ing up the Charter resolution and bartering
for 1t the revenue bill. though they consent
TO amend the latter from one-third to one
fourth as the basis.
The Wilson resolution. reported from the
Appropriations Committee, which is a re-
Election of the conduct of his office by State
Architect Bruce Watson, and which result
ed from Judge Sherman'S charges that w at
son illegally received large fees for ex-
penses in drawing plans and specifications
for state buildings. was a special order this
i. morning 1t was referred to the Judiciary
Committee. which is instructed to report
Thursday OF this week either bill or
resolution which will remedy the existing
The resolution simply instructs Watson
to perform the duties of hfa office. as de-
i hned In the statute creating State archi-
Watson made answer this morning to the
charges, preferred last week in the open
house, stating that the architects office
penses as had been paid were such as are
necessarily incurred and that the cost of
preparing plans for State buildings could
year.
The Judiciary Committee considered the
resolution this afternoon. State Architect
methods pied by him in the pursuance
or his out the amount Of business trans
acted IN his office. and the cost TO the
State. The examination awakened his ire
at times, and warm words passed between
committee members on the subject. The
sense OF the committee seemed to De that
the office were best abolished, and that an
arrangement be made whereby the archi-
tectural department of the State University
be used to assist in the preparat. on of plans
for State buildings.
Representative Shanahan argued that the
resolution in its present shape would ac-
complish nothing, that either a bill or a
resolution should be introduced which
would regulate the State Architect or do
away with the office altogether II 1t were
N1a he Gtatn - ,,-i1.
question obtained and the resolution was re-
ferred to the judiciary Committee.
CONVICT LABOR BILL.
The convict labor bill will be before the
House tomorrow; Opposition to it has de-
and more of a tussle over the measure than
was expected will result To take the con-
victs from their present occupations would
render them almost wholly dependent on
the State and extinguish the large incomes
now accruing at the penitentiaries from the
labor of the prisoners. This means more
expense and more taxes both of which
phases of the matter have reused the farm
ing element.
The Senate this morning passed bill ad-
mirably designed to strengthen the party
machines" and to operate against inde-
pendent voters. The BILL Senator Gardeners,
provides that nominations by petition for
over 10000 in population, must be signed by
voters who have not attended any primary
foy t aaae oce neg The bill n0 as6 stpuatas
that no person having attended a party
caucus or primary shall be eligible to have
his name placed upon the official ballot.
Senator Parker attacked the bill, saying
that no measure could '.be more adroitiy
drawn to consolidate and concentrate the
machine"
He said that It would drive the independ-
ent voter away from party conventions, and
that the hope and future of the great par
ties lay In the Independent voters. After
many roll calls of the absentees, and those
not voting. the bill finally got the requisite
twenty-six votes. Fourteen Senators were
recorded against It
HASTINGS MacADAM.