The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1910-09-23
MR.. JOHNSON AND
THOSE SENATE RULES


The Bowling Green News. in very
labored and painful manner, has re-
Gently undertaken TO defend MIR. Ben
johnson for the part he took in the
preparation OF the infamous rules OF
the last State Senate, and his record
on the temperance question.
We do not believe that the News.
even In the ardor of It's support of
MT. Johnson. would knowingly mis-
represent the lacts in the case; but
IL is apparent that its editor has been
made the dupe of a very erroneous
account Of them. and this belated ef.
fort, about eight months after the oc.
currence. TO defend Mr. Johnson's
part in framing those rules is a
most palpably weak excuse for MIN.
II is noticeable that so long a time
has been allowed to elapse before
a denial OF explanation should be Of
fered. and only can the delay be ac-
counted for upon the theory that IL
has been desired that the recollection
in the minds OF the people about the
~hode transaction should be given
time to fade
Our Bowling Green contemporary
has either forgotten the facts or else
II has been grossly imposed upon.
The State Journal frequently and cor
rectiy at the time gave the facts. and
it's statements OF them were never
disputed No newspaper in the State
and no man. so far as II could hear.
denied the accuracy of its statements.
Al the opening OF the session of
the General Assembly last January,
two OF the most active and busy men
In Frankfort. not having Official duties
hero, were Mr.. Ben Johnson and Mr..
John whalien. Il was generally un-
stood that they we're here help
ing 10 organize" the two houses. II
appeared that their efforts were par
ticularly directed towards organizing
the senate. and tina, y, WAS organized
to a queen taste, - rather Ia a
brewers taste, every one must admit.
The rules. wal,h were ado.tly Il
not ciande3;i1e'y, raiToaded. ihrcnsh
we're a monsSroHs iuockcry cf rariia-
mentary Justice, and placed ALSO
lutely IN the hands OF two or three
members the control OF Legislation
Speaker Cannon In his palmiest days
never had anything so bad and unfair.
Senators Linn and Combs had
charge OF preparing them and seemed
20 have some outside assistance in
the work. The rules they prepared
we're SO raw. that they evidently
feared to put them 20 a vote of the
Senate: 20 they had taken the pre-
caution. as they thought, of putting
in the resolution, directing them 70
prepare the rules, provision which
read like this. said rule shall be-
come operative when reported to the
Senate"
Mark the significance of this clause.
1t says when reported not when
adopted by the Senate" One Of those
Senators stated that the clause was
put in the resolution at the suggestion
OF Congressman Ben Johnson. In
some way 1t was left out of the reso-
luton when 1t passed. but those SEN
ators thought It was still in.
Isn't It rather strange that no denial
Was ever made about the Congress
mans part Of it: Now, our friend, the
News, tries to explain It away by say
ing:
THE News knows that the resolu-
ton referred TO was written by Eli II.
Brown and that Mr.. Johnson happened
to enter the room where the resolution
was being prepared and offered sug-
eestion which, II II had been adopted,
would have resulted in the refusal OF
the Senate to adopt it In fact, Mr..
Johnson's suggestion was to prevent
deception and had 1t been adopted
there is no doubt but that 1t would
have served the purpose for which
II was intended"
Now that is the most curious Eek
PLANTATION" we have ever seen. II is
useles to discuss 1t. IT speaks for
itself
NJ fohpaon'e friends may well want