The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-02
Consideration of this Question
Caused Great Interest in House
sCBJECT NOT 4 PARTISAN ONE
Many Questions to Bring Out Obscure
Points OH tile Measure Asked by
Observation-Disclosures Rerort ou
the Bill a Demonstration of Patriot
is:n.-Mr. Richardson says the Pres
ent Bill is the Best That Could lie
Obtained.

Washington, January 30.-Managers
Of n House evinced a more general
interest in the discussion of the rail-
way rate bill throughout today than
on n topic Of legislation for some
time. The debate was listened to at
tentlVely, and many questions were
asked of the different speakers to
bring out obscure points IN the meas
ure or evils complained of. which no
attempt had been made TO include in
h bill. The debate was opened by
Iur. townsend Of Michigan. in an ex-
haustive argument on the general sub
iect and sharp criticism directed 10
those Who mad opposed railroad rate
legislation. Mr.. Townsend asserted
the railroads had consistently and
persistently opposed every device for
the safety Of the public and its en-
ployes and also that it had maintained
rich and powerful Hobbies opposing
rate legislation. MIR. Adamson. (Ga-)
said he had never seen any reason to
max commerce a subject OF PARTISAN
snip, yet such a been the case
throughout the history of the govern
mel.t. The present bill. ne cited as an
.lluStTiOus exception to this record.
However, Democrats had labored since
the courts revealed h weakness OF
the interstate commerce law to amend
Is defects. Mr.. Addr1SOn cont-asted
Ia:1y records on the railroad question.
declaring the Republican platform of
1904 was intended to assure the cor
portations that they need not appre-
head any further legislation. But, he
said, if The election Of Roosevelt was
claimed by anybody as a victory
aga inst railroad regulation the pres!-
.clt-e.ect, undoubtedly the ablest as
we'll as the most honest and fearless
Republican president we ever had,
promptly disabused heir minds, by
taking a position perhaps as advanced
in favor Of our platform declaration
on the subject, as our own candidate
could have done had. he been elected.
emphatically and repeatedly demand
ing substantially h very legislation
asked for in our two platforms and
emphatically denying the hypocritica1
declaration lat enough had been
done.
I'VE would have been idiots and
traitors had we declined his powerful
aid, " declared Mr.. Adamson.
LAS for the Democrats continued
Mr.. Adamson, they began to feel hap
py. The distinguished chairman OF
our committee. Mr. Hepburn. took
such advanced ground and introduced
such a splendid bill that it was hailed
by us with delight. We offered the
De1ery bill suggesting a few more good
things most of which the majority
promptly accepted and gracefully ap.
propriated.' MI. Adamson maintain.
ed hat the bill was a conservative one
and not intended to injure the rail-
roads against which there was no i'll.
feeling. Mr. Adamson concluded witt
the hope that the bill would be pass
ed just as it had come from the com
mittee.
MI. Hinshaw- Of Nebraska depicted
the benefit the legislation would do t!
the great trans-Missouri country ant
Mr.. Richardson of Ajax INA discussed
as a Democrat the things done and lef'
undone in the measure.
MI. Richardson (Ala.) said tn:
unanimous report on the bill was 6
distinct demonstration of patriotism.
Mr.. Lama. (Fla.) asked severa
questions indicating criticism Of ths
minority members for no: bringing ir
u minority report, which would clue
date some of the hard problems in tht
question, if for no other reason. II
reply MI. Richardson said all legisla.
ton was a matter of compromise ant
the present bill. ne commended as be
ing good and the best that could bt
obtained. The House adjourned unit
fo,,nrrnu