The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-08
Refinery Measure Goes Through
Senate This Morning.
Only Eight Votes Against 1t at
the End.
NO DEBATE ALLOWED.
Many Members Explain Their
Votes" However.
Senators Admit That the PeO-
pie Want 1t.
The Talk of Socialism Doesn't
Brighten Members.

Before the adjournment at noon to-
day the senate passed the state refine
ry bill, without debate, as recommend
ed for passage by the senate commit
tee of the whole by the vote of 20 for
to against.
On the roll call the senators voted as
follows:
Yeas-Benedict, Benson. Belts, Bla-
ker, Brewer. Carver, Connor, Fitzpat-
rick. Getty. Gilbert, Griffin, Hamme.
Harrison, Haskell, Hayden. Hodges,
Huffman. Hughes, Martin of Bourbon,
Martin of Woodson, Noftzger, Peck,
Porter of Crawford, Porter of Mont
gomery, Quincy, Simons, Smith of Ed
wards. Stewart, Waggener.
Nays-Doley. Fulton. Lower. Smith
of Franklin, StilIings, Tucker, Wilker-
son, Young.
Absent-Buschow, Chapman, Miller.
The senators favoring the bill had
counted on 26 votes for the bill and
had called four doubtful and credited
ten as against thebin- There were %
votes for the bill and Senator Buschow,
who was absent and out of town is
counted as one who would vote for the
bill making the total for the bill, if all
had voted, at least 80.
The state refinery bill is now up to
the house and the senators who have
worked for the measure believe that the
bill if given a fair chance in the house,
will pass that body.
Several senators explained their votes
and the calling Of the roll and the max
ing Of the explanations required about
half an hour
Senator Benedict, in explaining his
vote, said. For the first time in my
life / rise to explain my vote Personal
~ L feel opposed to this bill and my
judgment is against such legislation.
There is q wave Of Indignation sweep
ing over the state. / fear that the pro
ducers Of oil are flying from ills they
now have to ills they know not of. The
committee has recommended the bill
for passage and 1 vote for it,
Senator Dolley said: Il am not op-
posed to a refinery on a. moderate scale
as an experiment but am opposed TO
the appropriation this bill carries -
Senator Getty said: In obedience
TO a sentiment prevailing over the state
of Kansas and in view of the fact that
one Of the greatest industries in Kan
sas is about to be crushed out of exist
ence, and in view of the statement
printed this morning that the Santa Fe
railroad has gone under the control of
the Standard Oil and the Hartman
and other systems are under the same
control, and while as a lawyer doubt
the advisa bility of this measure
would rather err in favor of the people
than in favor of the Standard Oil. I
vote aye"
Senator Hodges said: 1T has been
said that this is a bill of sentiment.
and that is the right name for it, but
it IS a bill in the right direction. If
this Will bring the desired results hO-
zannas will go up from over this state
and from ocean to ocean. If not the
investment of 100000 VIII stand as
monument to the earnest endeavor
of the people of the state of Kansas to
throttle the gigantic trust
Senator Peck said. when I first
came to the senate I felt it unWise
to pass such a bill as this. 1 did not
believe that 1t would be constitutional
but in taking up the press of the state,
and especially during the last two
days, and the press is an index to the
sentiment of the people, I find it al
most unanimous for this bill. There
has been a great uprising during the
past three or four days Whether wise
or not I cannot say, but I also prefer
to err in favor of the people With
a sentiment at home for the refinery
I vote for the bill
Senator Simons said. Il represent
a constituency in favor of this bill.
We are told we are confronting a
crisis. 1t is the misfortune of Kansas
to often be placed in this position, but
Kansas does not ask to be shown but
stands in the forefront and viii raise
up her voice and hands against the
encrCachment of mOnOpOlieS If this
is unconstitutional I say amend the
constitution. If this is socialistic /
say indorse this much of socialism,
Senator Tucker said: MY vote will
not affect the passag ge of this bill. I
was sent here to use my best judg-
ment, and my judgment has always
been against the establishment of an
oil refinery by the state of Kansas. I
see no reason why I should change
my judgment"
Senator Waggener offered a written
statement which he requested be
made "A part of the senate journal.
The statement was to the effect that
he voted for the bill reluctantly. be-
cause he feared it was In violation of
the constitution; that he did not be-
lieve it would bring relief, and that
such a radical departure from the
usual customs had not received due
consideration But he said he would
not set up his judgment in opposition
to the wishes of his constituents.
Senator Young said: II have voted
for every oil and gas measure that has
come before this senate. I favor that
which will accomplish something for
the people. I am doubtful if this ex-
pertinent viii bring the desired results.
I cannot follow my sympathies, but
must follow my judgment"
Only One Change.