The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-06
ARE SORRY NOW.
The Senate Democrats Were
Caught Mapping.
Not Taken Int Deal to Defeat
Utilities Report.
VICTORY FOR STUBBS.
Rejection of Conference Action
Is So Regarded.
Senators Price and Quincy Have
a Tilt.
VICTORY FOR STUBBS.

a Tilt.
From all indications the administra-
ton slipped one over on the minority
last week when it lined up the Demo-
cratic forces in the senate for the re-
lection of the conference report on the
utilities bill. Not until after the Stave-
ly speech did the minority members
learn that there had been a conference
of the faithful in the governors office
for the purpose of defeating the re-
port. Then true Democracy was sore.
1t happened that George H. Hodges,
minority leader in the senate, took ex-
ception to several phrases in the bill
recommended by the conferees. He
therefore planned a little surprise par
ty of his own and organized the five
minority members to vote against the
report. While this was occurring in
the Democratic camp, the real reform
ming a like campaign.
Now, it so happens that Hodges and
Stubbs are not bosom friends in a po-
l1t1cal. way and each would walk
around the block to drop a few bricks
on the other. The vote on the report
was taken before either side broke over.
Then came Stavely's speech in which
he laid bare the very plans and pur-
poses of the chief executive. He told
the senate just why the governor want
ed the report rejected. He told why
he would not serve on the new con-
ference committee. The Democrats
were taken unawaTes- They investiga-
ted. Stavely's statements were proved
to be true. Now, it is that the Demo-
Gratis are in no pleasant frame of mind
and some of them are regretting their
hasty action.
The defeat of the conference report
was a great victory for the administra-
ton. 1t had hoped to secure a new
committee and draft bill with long,
sharp, ugly teeth that would impress
the voters in the coming campaign.
They little reckoned that the entire bill
might go to the junk pile. Such an oc-
currance would mean that someone
would explain to the beloved voters on
the rural routes and Walter Roscoe
Stubbs seemed to be the one chosen to
make these explanations. With the mi
nortty forces in the muddle, the credit
is divided and the administration feels
considerable relief.
Just before adjournment Saturday
evening, Senator Francis c. Price was
on one end of three-cornered fight,
with Senators Quincy and Cambern
holding down the other corners. Price
started the trouble when Quincy made
a number of efforts to advance a bin
relating to building and loan associa-
tions. After the Salina man had
pushed the bill to the front he ex-
planned to the senate that he thought
the measure was a good thing for the
public generally, as the building and
loan companies had met and endorsed
the plan.
This statement aroused Price, who
was anything but hilarious on account
of the utilities fight; and he proceeded
to pay his respects to the banker, the
banking committee and special legis-
lation in general.
II suppose" snapped the Ashland
lawyer, that if the railroads of this
%n inc toe
would get together and prepare a few
bills that the gentleman from Saline
would be for them. 1 maintain, Mr.
Presid ent, that there should be a spe
cial so days session every two years
for these banks and trust companies
and building and loan associations. A
| large per cent of the bills in this ses-
sion of the legislature have been for
| the purpose of throwing a cloak Of
protection around the banks. And 1
can't see where it has helped the dear
people. Out in my district we have
to pay ten per cent for money and give
gilt edge security at that. 1 contend
that one of the biggest trusts in the
state is the building and loan associ-
alton. Yet here is a bill which we are
asked to pass merely because these
companies say it is a good thing. Who
knows anything about it? Not a soul.
Even my friend from Saline says he
doesn't pretend to know what is in it. -
|
wrath Of Quincy and Senator Cambern
arose to defend his fellow banker He
told Price that the legislature passed
laws for the lawyers as well as the
| bankers and that the Clark county
mans system was overloaded with bile.
Price declared there had not been a
bill this session in favor of the lawyer
except one Quincy introduced to give
two men an $4,000 job.
! Then Quincy explained things But
Price would not be quoted. Quincy Of.
fered to pass the bill until Monday, but
| Price would not listen.
! This matter should be settled at
| once" declared Price, for if we don't
| get this bill out of the road, the state
horse will be overrun with building and
loan sharks before 10 o'clock Monday
morning"
Carey offered to send the bill to the
committee on penal institutions, but
Reed thought the fish and game COM
Emittee should look after it. Both mo-
tions were ruled out and after Quincy
| had ordered a call of the senate, the
vote stood 10 for to II against his bill.
Then Quincy changed his vote in order
| later to get a reconsideration.
The senate visitors this morning bid
a goodbye to their passes and the