Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-05-24
IT PASSED SENATE
But Three Votes We're Cast Against
Railroad Rate Bill In
Its Final Form.
MUST 60 TO CONFERENCE.
cPiticlsm Of President Was In
dulged in, Bat II Was AeknOwI-
edged His Initiative Made Rail-
road LOgleIatlOn Possible.

|, Washington, May 19.-After 10 day
II almost continuous elaboration tn
r enate Friday at 1853 p. m. passed tn
'ailroad rate bill by the PRACTICAL,
unanimous vote of II to 8. The thre
negative votes were cast by Senator
Foraker, republican, of Ohio, and Nor
7 gan and Pettus, democrats, Alabama
There was somewhat larger attend
ince of senators than usual, but the
attendance In the galleries was by NJ
means abnormal, and there was nc
manifestation of any kind when the
result was announced. There was,
however, an almost general sigh CT
'elief among senators.
The bill has received more atten-
ion from the senate and from the
country at large than any measure
that has been before congress sincs
he repeal of the purchasing clause OF
he Sherman act In 1893 1t was re-
ported to the senate on February 20
md was made the unfinished business
IN March IL. From March IL to May
| the bill was under general discus
sion without Limitation on the dura-
ion of speeches, So of which were de-
ivered. Many of these were pre-
pared with great care, and two OF them
consumed more than days time in
delivery. Senator LaFollette, the jun
or senator from Wisconsin, spoke for
:hree days, and Senator Daniel, Vir-
yinia, for two days. Senators Bailey,
Foraker, Lodge, Rainey, Dolliver and
others spoke each for one entire day
For IL days the bill has been un-
Ter consideration under a rule limit
ng speeches to Is minutes each. The
lebate has at all times been earnest
md animated, but for the most part
ievoid of personality as between SEN
ltors, the past few days, however,
having called out some caustic criti-
,isms Of the president and of some
newspaper correspondents by Senator
Bailey.
After the senate concluded the
:hird reading Of the railroad rate bill
Friday Senator Rayner took the floor
20 discuss the general aspects of the
measure. His speech dealt mainly
with the presidents connection with
the legislation and was largely per-
Jonal throughout.
Mr.. Rayner said that he was firmly
Of the belief that the president would
again change his mind before this con-
:roversy was over, and that II the
speaker Of the house Of representa-
lives would nominate a man on the
conference committee who had the |
courage of his convictions and who
would not waver upon the question
If constitutional review, the president
would abandon the Allison amendment
md go back again to the Long amend
nent, the place that he started from.
He said this was great era for
natural disturbances and that the
PRESIDENT seemed to be somewhat jeal-
'us of the earthquakes and volcanic
'ruptions that had taken place, and
vas going through sort Of cometic
performance himelf, Illuminating the
lorizon, but tearing through pace OBJ
lvious of where he came from and
With no definite conception of where
10 was going.
When he came to discuss the ALI
on amendment, Mr.. Rayner said he
esitated to vote for the bill and had
ever Supported measure Of this sort
llth more reluctance, because ne
bought the words contained in the
mendment were fatal Mr.. Rayner
insisted in the strongest possible way
hat this unfortunate amendment de.
troyed the efficiency of the entire
leasure and that In his judgment II
is finally adhered to I'VE might az
Tell abolish the commission and ring
own the curtain on the comedy"
81 deplore the fact" said Mr.. Ray
er, of the presidents interference. )
regret 1t with all my heart and am
orry for 1t. He has debilitated and
lutilated this measure. while II he
I'd only persisted in his purpose
W days longer a united senate in
Spouse to the voice of a united peo-
e would have put upon the statute
)ok law that gratified their expec-
tions and responded to the exigen-
es Of the hour"
When the senator concluded, Senator I
oliver took the floor, saying that IL c
felt about the bill as did Mr.. Ray v
er he would not vote for II. THE C
II is not revolutionary or danger c
Is legislation" he said, and pre- v
cted that 1t would have the popular b
,proval. n
He proposed to defend neither the
II nor the president, but he would
y there are millions who will not
ink less Of the chief executive for e
tnging his party into accord in the n
Eislation. 4,
Whatever may be said for or against u
Q president, Mr.. Dolllver said, he \
mes out Of the fight with every n
opposition he has advanced written :
plain terms in the statute books
the United States. That the bill is .,
perfect response to the presidents
he commended. and
en- quoted those recommendation y
sustain that declaration. =
fsVrrhnt.-.- - a, ia - A.. 49,. q