The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1903-03-14
LETTER FROM THE P II
Proceedings of the Legislature, Political
Gossip, Men and Measures.
Jefferson Cly. March y. 1eO4.

Jefferson Guy, March y, 1904.
The fact that the public is keeping
close tab on his legislature, and some
of the members have heard from the
boys at the cross roads, has been
responsible for the house getting .
further and continued move on itself
this week. The legislation passed now
looks like R much better record than
was the record ten or twelve years
ago. The appropriation bills are out
Of the way and OF the seven hundred
bills on the calendar there are not
over twelve that are of very great
Importance. The unimportant meas
uies have been so nearly disposed of
tinally that the members of the house
on Saturday came near adopting a
resolution to adjourn on the 10th.
The republicans opposed the PROPOSE
ton and it was made a special order
tor Friday.
The democrats have been getting
their forces better in hand the past few
weeks and the lobby-republican policy
has not worked so we'll. The speaker
has contributed his efforts to expedite
business and the republicans have been
so mad because they found their regu-
lar game was not working that Satur-
day IN a desperate effort to further
delay matters they perpelrated the one
act that brings the entire outfit out in
the calcium light as lobby tools aud
Instructors. Gardner, st. Louis repub-
lican, introduced a resolution author
izing the speaker to appoint a calendar
committee. A roll call was demanded
and at the bidding Of one of the MOTOR
ious lobby tools on the republican side
and in order 70 break 4 quorum, the
entire republican membership left the
hall, with the exception Of Boutwell,
and O'Fa'len who stayed to see that
their plans worked and the democrats
adjourned as they would have had to
do If the roll call had not showed a
quorum present. The plans failed as
the roll call was held some fifteen
minutes and several democrats were
made which induced a couple of repub-
licans to return, thus securing just a
quorum. AT next opportunity another
roll call was demanded and it was ex-
pected that had 1t been allowed Both
we'll and O'Fallen would have left and
the quorum would have been broken.
The next book question is still the
great subject of discussion. The repub-
licans still stand on the proposition that
the books in use and the price suits
them aud they desire no legislation on
the subject. The administration wants
a new commission and a revision of
the books and new contracts. What
will be done is proclamation. The
opinion of the Attorney General, hold
ing the old contracts to be in force, the
old commission in existence, etc. has
made a great many democrats believe
thSt in view of conditions it perhaps
would be better TO let the text book
question rest for another two years
and until the people vote on the Rubey-
Atkinson Constitutional Amendment
it is expected will pass the house
hen 1t comes up. Whatever demo-
may think relative TO the text
book question it is absolutely certain
that the action of the republican men,
bers OF the Legislature IN refusing to
vote for sny measure changing present
conditions places their party IN a posi-
ZION where they cannot consistently
say anything iuther about Missouri
books because there would be changes
If a few republicans would break away
from the lobby.
Freight rates. for the first time in