The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-05
Bale Waggener Finds Hiimself
In New POsit r.
The Republicans Run the Band
Wagon Over Him.
NATIONHELD THE WHIP
Refused to Let House Consider
New Tax Bill.
General Sentiment That ssSome-
thing Must Be DOne.s

Inc mouse gave q grand exhibition OF
band wagon legislation shortly before
noon today Bale Waggener was the
one run over. but the wagon Rad hard
time in getting over him. Rules were
disreEarded, negative votes were an
nounced as carried, and it was anything
10 beat Waggener. The band wagon
leaders frankly admitted that they We're
Gfraid to let Waggener make a speech, I
and the previous question was carried
in committee OF the whole. one of the
most fragrant violation of rules imagi-
nable.
Tt was on the tax bin When it was
discovered that Waggener had got his
substitute bill advanced to the head of
the calendar. some of the Republicans
got together to head him off. They went
to Governor Bailey about it and Bailey
advised that q Republican caucus be
called and a party measure be framed.
Without doing this few amendments
were tackled on to the original tax com
mission bill and it was introduced as a
substitute for the one which has been
amended by the senate.
The statement was made on the floor
that Governor Bailey wanted the bill
passed as presented as a party meas
ure. Governor Bailey denies this He
says he told some members that he
thought the Republican caucus should
agree on a bill and pass that as a party
measure.
Nation Of Neosho was chosen as band
wagon whip" and he made the motion
to go into committee of the whole.
Stubbs of Douglas was first called to
the chair but he said he preferred TO
remain on the floor Hayden of Nemaha
was then chosen to put the motions.
Nation took the floor and said that
some sort of tax legislation ought to be
passed and he suggested that the houSa
go back to the original bin as it came
from the tax commission. make a few
amendments to 1T, and pass it without
further ceremony Nation had the
amendments which he and his col
leagues had agreed upon and he pro-
cceded TO read them They made fhe
commission to be composed of the audi
tor and two commissioners. cutting out
the secretary OF state and state treasur-
err. but left the selection of the two
commissioners with the executive coun-
Gil instead of the governor. The provis-
ion requiring the county assessors to
meet at Topeka once In two years was
eliminated. Township trustees are made
the deputy assessors. All property is TO
be assessed on oue-fourth of its valua-
tion. after the exemption is deducted
from the true value.
Nation read these amendments in
bunch and moved that they all be
adopted.
Waggener. moved as a substitute that
the enacting clause be stricken out Of
Nations bin.
This makes useless all the work that
has been done by the joint tax COM
mittee9 he said. "and I want to say to
you that the people of this state don't
want this tax bill as it came from
the commission, and if you pass it not
a man who votes for it will come back
30 this legislature
Stubbs of Douglas said: 1T IS the
consensus of opinion among the RepuD-
licans that a tax bill ought to be passed
The governor of this state believes
tax bill ought to be passed. Further
more, he believes that this bill with
these amendments ought to be passed
as party measure. we nave had
commission at work for nearly two
years preparing a tax BILL and we have
been fooling around all during this ses-
sion. Now 1t is time we were doing
something"
jerks OF Franklin also spoke in favor
of doing something"
Brown of Brown wasn't on the pro-
gramme to be recognized but the chair
recognized him by mistake.
II don't propose to be whipped into
line by any party leaders to vote for no
tax bill that my constituents don't
want" he declared vehemently.
All this time Bale Waggener was try
ing to secure recognition i'm order to
make a speech. but he couldn't get it.
Barnd of Ness jumped up and moved
the previous question
Stavely of Usage knew that was in
violation of the rules in committee of
the whole. and he moved as a substi
tute that further debate be cut off
This meant the same thing as the pre-
vious question i'm different words. but
the chair refused to listen to any points
of order on the subject, and put the
question Waggener and Nation were
both ina front of the members and Wag-
gener was clamoring for recognition
Tn the excitement all the band wagon
members for.ot to vote for Stavely g
motion while four fusionists voted
C,sirn7an HAYDEN also got excited.