The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-03-30
sen. FORAKER
Offered an Amendment
to the Rate Bill But
Tillman Stops Further
Agitation.

washington, March 26.-The senate
today listened to railroad rate
speech by Mr.. Overman, of North Car
olina, and then tried unsuccessfully
to decide upon a method of proceed
ure for voting upon amendments. The
consensus of opinion favored a defin-
lite time being fixed for the considera-
ton of each of the several important
amendments instead of leaving them
to be acted upon seriatium, without
debate. just before the final passage
of the bill. While it is not expected
that Mr.. Tillman's request to be
made tomorrow that time be fixed
for voting on the rate bill, will meet
with success, it is believed that 1t
will have a tendency to expedite con-
sideration of the bill and naturally
shorten debate.
Mr.. Overman favored an amendment
to the rate bill prohibiting a suspen-
sion of the rate upon an interlocutory
order except after five days notice,
and a full hearing.
"The people have no unjust demand
to make" he declared they are al
ways on the side of justice, equality
and truth. Pass this law, and if 1t
shall stand the test of the courts, as
I believe it will, all bitterness will
pass away; prejudice will give place
to confidence; the people will know
that they have a forum where they
can make their complaints and be
heard. The railroads will also be
heard, the courts will be opened to
ALL"
F0RAKER'S AMENDMENT.
When he had concluded, Mr.. For
aker of Ohio, offered an amendment
prohibiting under heavy penalty the
giving of free transportation, even
excluding officers and employees of a
railway, except as to their own lines.
1T also provided equal service for all.
He expressed the hope that Mr.. Till
man would accept the amendment.
Mr.. Tillman, in charge of the bill, eX-
planned that he had no authority to
accept it. He expressed himself as in
thorough accord with it's object, how
ever.
"The senator from Wisconsin," he
said, referring to Mr.. LaFollette, "in-
forms me that he is incubating an even
more drastic measure, form of
separate bill"
Mr.. Allison, of Iowa, favored the
amendment He hoped it would be
adopted.
Mr.. Scott, of West Virginia, urged
MIR. Tillman to accept his amend
ment requiring railways to provide
ample track connections. The sena-
tor from South Carolina said he did
not understand that the senate was
going to permit him to perfect the
bill, if so that would be a more seri-
Gus matter than he had looked for.
TILLMAN ENDS IT.
The floor was in agitation. 1t
looked as if vote might be had at
least on the Foraker amendment. No
one opposed it's provision.
Finally the situation was passed over
by Mr.. Tillman asking that no amend
ments be pressed at this time, owing
to the absence Of many senators.
"Let the senate give notice to those
absent and that it intends to do busi-
ness and that they had better be here
to attend to business" (Laughter).
Mr.. Hale, of Maine, said that mas
much as the rate subject was an un-
usually important one he would fav-
or departure from the custom of
the senate in acting upon amend
ments. He suggested that the. senator
from South Carolina bring in an or
der setting aside a week to acting
upon few vital amendments, the
speeches on each to be conducted un-
der the five minute rule.
MIR. Cullom, of Illinois, urged that
a time be fixed at once for a vote.
Action however was finally deferred
until tomorrow when it is likely a
motion will prevail setting apart a
definite time for voting on each
amendment.