Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-23
A HOT TINE N
The IOWA SENATE
Debate on the Gilliland Resolu-
tion Proved a Field Day
For Politics
GlLLILAND IN ANGRY MOOD
eILLlLAND IN ANGRY MOOD
Letter Written by the Railroad Lobby
to Mills County Senator's constitu-
ents Read by Smith Provokes Au-
thor of the Resolution to Wrath
cummins' Contention Proved,
IBy Ora williams.1

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Feb. 23.-The Gilliland
resolution got through. 1t was a hard
pull. Blythe men and Cummins men
were all for it. Nobody was opposed
and SO the bill got through after a
hard debate with 36 votes for and the
1t was a great day for politics.
Washington's birthday had been prop
how grand it is to be good and truth
full and upright. The school bill had
been disposed Of Then came the sec
ond special order, but Senator
Lewis gracefully yielded to the
senator from Mills, who had been
itching to get at the resolu-
ton which was to put the governor
in a hole" Then came the great is
sue.
Gilliland had carefully prepared a
speech and had it written out, as he
intimated, for fear in the heat OF his
own discussion he might make a
break. He read his address. 1t was
mild hammered enough, but assumed
that Governor Cummins had accused
members of being bribed on the pri-
mary. He claimed the right to op-
pose the primary bill without having
his motives impugned. Ii the COVER
nor could name legislator who had
accepted money the senator should be
ousted Then Gilliland declared that
the offense was not so much what the
governor said in his letter as in other
remarks. He read from the Ottumwa
Courier on what the governor was
supposed to have said at Fairfield, and
she read the governors references to
the lobby at Washington. The signif-
icance comes from the high position
of the governor, in thus asserting, as
Gilliland wanted it understood, that
members had been bribed. Then the
senator discoursed on the candidacy OF
the governor and used the arguments
much used by Lafe Young, Perkins and
other editors about there being of
necessity some great crisis in the state
to warrant his candidacy. The re-
marks of the Mills county senator, as
he stated afterwards, had been care
fully edited and much of what he hal
first written had been marked out.
Then came the unexpected turn in
affairs. Senator Smith, of Mitchell,
rose to speak. He said he was in favor
of passing the resolution. He stated
that while so doing he would insist
that Gilliland had gone to the COVER
fv,0rr II cQrtqin
sentences to make out such case as
he wished. He is extremely sensitive
and highly imaginative, and he finds
that which he desires to find. Smith
said he would vote aye. but not for the
reason that the governor had, in his
address, in any shape or manner, MADE
charge Of dishonesty against any
member of the legislature. He did not
believe the governor ever had that IN
mind. He spoke for himself, from his
own conscience and his own sense OF
Justice, and he felt he was capable
of understanding what was In the gov
ernor's address. There had been much
talk of men feeling sorry that this
matter had come before the senate -
but it had been brought here by the
senator from Mills, and it ought to
be met fairly. Some have said it is
political matter. He wished 1t was
purely political: but in fact it is more
than that for 1t goes to the heart Of
the government. Wrapped up in 1t is
the question Of assault upon popular
government.
Then Senator Smith said he had in
his hands letter, portions of which ne
desired to quote from, which would
show that there is a railroad lobby at
work here, that it is fighting the pri-
mary and that it is using influence and
making expense in so doing. 1t was
letter. he added, that would interest
the senator from Mills, and it would
indicate the truth of all that the gov
ernor had said.
GiIIiIand Gets Nervous.
Gilliland rose to his feet in evident
nervousness and asked Smith If he in
tended to tell to whom the letter was
written. Smith said he was not at
liberty to do so, but 1t was to con-
stituent Of the Mills senator. Gilliland
objected to the reading unless the
name was given.
Then Senator Crawford tried to raise
une point OIL OIueT lHstl IL was oe"
the rules to read an anonymous let
ter.
Senator Garst suggested that 1t was
not an anonymous letter. but as he un-
derstood Smith it was from a reputa-
BILE person and was signed.
Gilliland persisted in his effort TO
prevent the reading Of the letter. He
raised all sorts of objections, and 1t
was plainly evident that he was great
ly disturbed over the prospect 2f
having some of the secrets of the lobby
come out. The chair ruled that the
letter might not be read, but the sem
ator could not be prevented from maxi
ing quotations therefrom.
Tho Letter Read.
The letter was read. insofar as II
bore on the question Of the work OF