The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-14
WHITECOTToN MAKES
STARTLING CHARGES.

Not only We're the scenes rictous. but the
| language used in debate on the bill was of
a kind calculated to provoke homcides.
WHITECOTToN MAKES
STARTLING CHARGES.
Speaker Whitecotton took the floor of the
House in defense OF the bill. and made Il
most dramatic and fiery speech. In which
he openly charged that corruption had been
used to defeat school textbook legislation.
He did not rlince words. He charged that
members had been bribed by a corrupt
lobby. maintained, at the instance of the
Schoo!book Trust. No one could mistake
! single sentence he uttered.
Efforts were made to prevent Mr.. White
cotton from speaking. the idea being prev:-
lent that he would eXcoriate the opponents
of the bill. Few, however. imagined that
lie Eculd use the strong language he did
commenced talking. but his voice was
strong and his eyes flashed when he round
Speaker Pro Ten. Duncan presided while
the Speaker was excoriating those opposing
the bill Later. when the riotous scenes
were reaching dangerous point. he re-
turned to the chair. and his wife. deathly
pale. came from an anteroom and took
chair beside him.
morning. the bill which was the cause OF
the trouble was permitted to come from the
Committee on ENDORSEMENT. Later 1t was
called up by Mr.. Gardner of St Louis
County for final disposition. Mr.: Graham
of Jasper moved that it be indefinitely post
poned. and this was its final fate.
The debate opened tamely enough. Mr..
Boutwell, made a brief statement to the
effect that he deemed it best to have the
bill finally disposed Of as 1t was impeding
other business.
DAVIDSON URGED
PASSAGE OF BILL.
Mr.. Davidson of Marion author of the
bill, followed He said If the bill was not
passed 1t would fasten on the poor people
of the State load for the next two years
by leaving them at the mercy of the School
book Trust. This trust, he said controlled
over 20 per cent Of the contracts now in
Mr.. Mcclellan of Shannon made a brief
speech of opposition to the measure. giving
his M reasons onz, why he would vote against it.
General had held that the existing contracts
would continue unless this law was passed.
had charged that the patrons of the pub
lie school were being robbed by school
book combine and forced to pay 90 per cent
more for books than in sister States.
Now he found the Republicans of the
House lined up to continue the existence OF
1h Mss same me, combine and the same old prices
so. that they had only changed front on this
question here lately.
WHITECOTTON RECOGNIZED,
DESPITE PROTEST.
Following this. Speaker whitecotton final
ly obtained recognition against the protest
OF Mr.. Selph of ST. Louis and others.
F. II fear that corruption and Doodle has
taken this Legislature by the throat was
the 1lTSI sentence ne uttered. He SAID he
owed the public schools for all that he is.
II stand here and appeal to you he said.
TO stand mp and help rid this State of a
corrupt lobby. l state deliberately that
money has been used. and is being used
now in the House to defeat this bill.
"Corrupt men have taken members
tinued, "since this bill has been under
consideration. Why are they hcrcs
You know they are here, and 1 know
they are here. And why In much of
the opposition to this measure here
on the floor Of the House coming from
localities not affected by the bills
let the Missouri Legislature stand for
the people. This bill was prepared
by able and conscientious men. 1t is
not SO much a question of Liquidation
by thi. body as it is a question II this
body has enough honest and fearless
men I'm 1t to throttle a corrupt lobby
n question of decency aud the lobby
not a political question, but one OF
the supremacy of the people or the
supremacy of the lobby.
Mr.. Boutwell, of PettiS speaking for the
Republicans. said he had no knowledge of
any undue influences having been used In
connection with the bill He couldn't be-
lieve that such a condition existed. and
he did not consider it good politics or good
business to make such charges as those
made by the Speaker sl!e,, Of the House n;e
ayers and the Republican press charge the
Democrats during the last campaign with
maintaining trust ScnoolDOok law, un-
der which the people were being robbed?"
asked my Oliver of Mr. Boutwell,.
Mr.. Boutwell, said he had heard of sch
charges being made. but as the Democrats
had denied Them he had taken them ct
their word In conclusion. Mr.. Boutwell, Of
fered to defend any Republican who was
voting against the bill.
GRAHAM DENOUNCED
CHARGES OF SPEAKER.
Mr.. Graham of Jasper closed the debate
He was opposed to the bill, and said he
believed he was right. No one had so
proached him with undue motives, nor had
The Speakers charges he denounced as out
rageous and unwarranted.
1t was just at the close of Mr.. Graham's
remarks when the House became rfotous |
wanted to take recess. but the Speaker
would not recognize them. He hammered
and hammered and hammered, and called |
on the officers to enforce order. and on
orderly members to go to the assistance of
the sergeant-at-arms. Failing after time
TO queil the riot, he appointed Representa-
tives Gillespie Of Boone and TerrilI of
Maries to take hand in restoring order,
which they did with success.
When the House became quiet the roil |
was called and the bill indefinitely most
poned by vote of rs to CO.
Inc vote stands rs yeas and 60 nays and
the lobby prevails said Speaker White
cotton. his face still deathly pale and an
ugly look in his eyes
The roll call was follows:
YEAS.
Bear Farley N,,
Beckett, Frost Newton
Boiand. Galbraith, NoryelI'
Boutwell, Gardner Cdneaii'
Brown tozaro. Graham. offlceT o"'
Burkhardt. Hayden. Pelts,
Caldwell Uensiev I 10y,