The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-12
BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.


jefferson City. Mo-. March, 1.-THE two
election bills sent to the General Assembly
by the Jefferson Club of st. Louis were sent
to engrossment by the Senate to-day with
out any amendments other than those rec
commended by the committee.
Democratic Senators in their debate of the
bill made the session one of the warmest
yet held. Farris OF Crawford (Dem)
championed the cause of the Republicans in
two speeches. in which he took occasion 10
pay his respects to his opponents in st.
Louis. McIndoe of Jasper led the fight
against the jefferson Club BILL regulating
conduct of elections. He presented the law
of 1895 as substitute ana was defeated on
roll call by vote of to Is.
Morton of Ray tried to give the Demo-
Gratis two-thirds of the clerical force in the
central office, but was beaten by vote of
Ii to IL.
Farris said that the man whose delicate
hand was behind the bill did not intend it
should pass. In moving the bills engross-
ment. he asked that it be given precedence
in printing. Senator Dickinson moved that
the general law which fixes penalties for
violations also be given precedence
The bill fixing penalties aroused discussion
because of Mcindoe amendment aimed at
the police. The amendment was defeated
by vote Of 10 to %.
=, McINDOE'S AMENDMENT.
Senator McIndoe's amendment read as fol-
lows:
If any police officer shall. at any election pre-
cinct, intinidate. assault or drive away from the
gS any ANY, as such aw voter from exercsng lis
elective franchise. or shall disobey any lawful
assault or s aith o. judge Of
clerk Of election. challenger or watcher IN the
other person to intimidatt. assault or interfere
with them any of them. or shall knowingly
second time at such precinct. after having voted
once thereat:
He shall. upon conviction, be adjudged guilty
of a felony. and be punished for each and every
such offense by imprisonment in the Penitentiary
for not less than two nor more than hye years,
If this were adopted every policeman
would have to stay in barracks. SAID Nor
ton. |--
Farris supported the amendment. -Four
years ago We passed a bill.many OF US
against our convictions-mak1ng new eiec-
ton laws for st. Louis: Now We are tolo
that that law is worse than the Goepel law.
I am a Democrat. l believe in free eiec.
thousands of ballots have been cast fraudu-
lently under police protection. MI'n l,
twenty-four hours L have been toiu pF
members of this Senate that certain candl-
dates would be nominated II 1t were not Tor
police Interference
is there any law relating to police inter
ference on the statute?" asked Worries Of st.
Joseph Oem).
NO" answered McIndoe.
Il have been sorry for only two votes
CAST Nv "ullt III lIiS pouS, see'A
of Carter Dem). .'One was to establish
the present police force of st. Louis and
the other was to consolidate the street rail-
ways of st. Louis. ! did the first under the
party lash. Where there is SO much smoke
there must be some fire. am in favor of
repeating the election law"
CONSIDERATION OF BILL
The jefferson Club bill was taken up in
abolishing the penalty provi-
sions were taken out without opposition. a
separate bill providing the penalties After
wards Senator Morton tDem) present.
ed an amendment permitting the Beard of
Election Commissioners to name the clerks
in the central office, instead OF dividing the
drew 1t when violent opposition developed
and presented another. SWING the doml-
nant party two.thirds Of the central force
and the minority one-third. The amend
ment was defeated, II to IL.
Senator McDav1d then presented several
which were defeated. as fol-
Appointment Of four Commissioners, pro-
viding that the polling place should not ad-
join a saloon. providing that notice OF chai-
providing for two tally
sheets and providing that McIndoe,s Senate
bill. mo: 30. a copy OF the law Of 1885, should
: On the latter amendment the Republicans
voted solidly in the affirmative. Farris being
the only Democrat who voted with them
The vote was ayes to e noes.
Farris moved that the bill be engrossed
and given precedence IL printing. The mo-
pENA Ties.
Senate bill No. 4Zs,,-broviding penalties for
violations of the election laws. was the first
considered by the Senate, it being taken DIP
about II o'clock
The amendment was lost by vote Of 10
to %
Before the bill was sent to engrossment
Farris objected to the sections which make
1t a misdemeanor for Il judge or clerk OF
30 oh rlr drrfp c
ton, the bill was sent to engrossment.
P. Z. BURTON.