The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-09
RATE BILL
DEBATE A
LIVELY ONE

Washington. Feb. s.-In the house yes
terday for two hours preceding and for
three hours following the joint proceed
ings in the counting OF the electoral vote
the question OF freight rate regulation
held full sway.
AS on the previous days OF the debate,
both Republicans and Democrats claimed
the candidate for originating the present
legislation.
When the house met at II a. m. dis
cussion OF the Railway Rate bill imme-
diately began. the early speakers being
Mr. Thayer OF Massachusetts. who con-
graduated President Roosevelt on hav-
ing advocated a Democratic measure,
Mr.. shober of New York and Mr.. Van
Duser OF Nevada.
Inslncerity was ascribed 70 the, Repub-
licans by Mr.. Cochran OF Missouri In
the matter Of rate legislation, who said
that II was not intended 10 pass the
proposed legislation. but simply 70 do
something to pacity public sentiment
Mr.. Esch of Wisconsin. who assisted
in framing the Townsend bill. spoke at
length IN justification OF the action OF
the majority of the committee In provid-
ing the special court OF transportation
features upon which he said opposition
seemed 30 be centred
THE HEARST BILL.
Nj Grosvenor of the Ohio ridiculed the
Democrats for their claim 10 candidate
for rate legislation. He provoked laughter
when he declared that following our foot
rteps toe-marking our tracks, camping
tonight where we camped last night and
begging 10 be taken on board Is not a
new policy or principle OF the Democratic
party.
Mr. Grosvenor was discussing the rela-
tive merits OF the several bills when ne
was interrupted by Mr.. Shackelford OF
Missouri with the statement that the
Hearst bill had been denied an opportu-
nifty TO be considered.
"Oh." replied Mr.. Grosvenor amid
laughter and Republican applause. your
party denied II before we did"
The Hearst bill he declared was as
dead as Julius Caesar. having been
Slaughtered by a Democratic caucus
Mr. James (KyD accused the president
OF taking the platform OF the Democratic
PARTY that bears the bloody stains Of
organs faithful feet" and holding II up
TO the people of the country.
He cared not how much II was said
the Democrats were following the presi-
dent. He knew that the soldiers OF the
United states followed the president gal
iantly at San Juan hill But" he added,
mo more, sir, than the Democracy will
follow him when he charges the Harri-
mans. the Vanderbilts, the Cassatts and
the Hills in this country of wealth
REPUBLICANS WE'RE RIGHT.
Mr.. Vreeland On. ". who voted against
his party on the adoption OF the rule TO
take up the rate question. opposed the
pending legislation on the ground that II
was Socialism and not Republican doc
trine
His utterance was vigorously con-
troverted by Mr.. Kyle (Ohio), who said
that the Republican party had heard and
needed the cry of the people for rate legis-
lation.
In n characteristic speech, Mr.. Gaines
CTenn), who was the sole Democrat who
voted with the Republicans on the
adoption OF the rule. said he did so be-
cause he found them right on the ques-
ton. even II they gritted their teeth after
having been legged on by the president,
who had applied the CATO -nine-tails "a
their backs.
During the debate the following mem.
bers spoke in favor Of rate legislation
Messrs Padgett (Tenn). Cochran (Mis-
souri). Burke IS d. Underwood (Ala.)
Senior Qnd), Gregg CTex). Lacey Ga-)
Davis (Minn.) Murdock (Ks), Hamlin
CMo) and Hughes On. j..
In addition 10 Mr.. Nreeland. Messrs
Scudder and Rider. also of New York
opposed any legislation on the subject
At 4:47 the house adjourned until today
AT IL o'clock