The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-01-23
FREE TRANSPORTATION
CAUSES MUCH DEBATE,
Resolution Requiring Railroads to
Provide Passes for State Omcials
Figures in the Senate
Proceedings.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Jefferson City. Mo-, Jan. 22-Free trans
portation on the railroads started an in
cipient free-for-all discussion in the Senate
this morning. If anything may be judged
from the remarks Of influential Senators,
both in public and in private, the railroads
will be required to furnish free transporta-
ton instead of giving 1t out as a favor.
One Of the first bills introduced in the
Senate was by Bradley of st. Francois. 1t
fixed penalties for delegates to conventions,
members of political committees and all
officials who accept free transportation on
the railroads. By adding delegates to con-
prescribed recipients Of passes, the bill went
further than the present law.
The bill was reported unfavorably from
the judiciary Committee this morning.
measure beyond presenting the report.
Immediately.
81 think that this bill is just and proper"
he said. Il have heard and have no reason
to doubt that officials and delegates are in
fuenced by the passes which are given to
talk about the courtesies of the railroads.
They give the passes only to those who will
and can reciprocate the favor: l move that
the bill be sent to engrossment.
,.I Senator Morton Of Ray followed Bradley:
II am opposed to the bill." he said But
do think that it should be sent to engross-
from st. Francois. He has spoken about the
farmers being influenced by the agents of
the railroads when they go to conventions.
ing out for their own interests? They know
what they wish done and the railroads can
not bribe them by giving them transporta-
tion.
"A resolution calling for constitutional
amendment requiring railroads to furnish
free transportation to officials was intro
duced in the House yesterday. shall vote
for 1t, and announce that fact now, This
question should be settled at this session
for all time. II We send this bill to en-
up for engrossment."
Farris Of Crawford then made the long
est speech of the session against sending
of filling the calendar with this bill" he
said. when we know how We shall stand on
the measure when it comes up for passage?
l have as much respect for senatorial cour-
tesy as any other member, 1 believe, but I
do not think that any breach is made when
we save time and expense by disposlng Of
the matter as quickly as. possible.
Il have noticed that those who cry the
most against the railroads and corporate
influences are the most susceptible to their
test those interests? live in an agrtcul-
tural district. yet have not received one
letter indicating that there is the least de-
sIble? 80 p''
-Four years ago the town in which live
by waterspout. The railroads gave passes
70 those who wished to go to relatives dur
ing their great need. Did the railroads cor
rupt that community by so doinge
know that have been branded as the
TOOL OF corporate influences. and that my
ambition has been to serve the railroads in
stead OF my district. However met these
same political bloodhounds on the platform
In my district, and was returned by a good
majority. Icarried my precinct and county
both of which were Republjcan-something
which had not been done in twelve years
think that l have been vindicated.'
Upon a viva vOce vote, the motion to en-
gross Bradley's bill was lost.
After the debate was concluded Senator
Morton explained his position by saying
that he believed the Oliver resolution in the
House should and would be passed. III
the Oliver resolution Is placed before the
people at the next general election he
said; ut will give the voters an opportunity
to place themselves on record. think that
the companies should be required to furnish
Tree transportation to all officials. There. is
no reason why the railroads should fight the
passes anyway"