Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-03-09

Special to Times Republican
Des Moines. March 9.-Dscuss!on OF
the Oregon bill today was lndulged in
by Ripley. Whitney and Seller.
Whitney defended the legislature
from the charges of the governor that
they have been trifling with the con-
stitution of the United States. He de-
clared that members OF the legislature
came here as the representatives OF the
people and they are In duty bound to be
representatives in fact. The right OF
petition Of the people was Ions ago
we'll established, and the day has gone
by when the constitution can be In
1erposed TO thwart the will OF the
people.
Ripley 10 Kissed.
When Ripley took fling at men OF
foreign parentage undertaking to con-
sider tho Interpretation OF the consti-
tuition, Pickford, OF Cerro Csrdo. utter
cd big hiss. for his parents were
born In England.
Ripley's reference to persons being
brought up on buttermilk ard limbur-
ger cheese" brought OConner to his
feet In protest. During the whole argu-
ment there were interruptions because
Of the personal illusions.
Afternoon Session Held.
Seller in defense OF the veto said he
believed the governor. tho not a law
yer, Is competent to pass on the con-
stitutLonaltty OF the bill.
Tho house arranged for an afternoon
session to continue the discussion OF
tho Oregon plan bill. johnson. OF MI
chell. had the floor.
Waste of oratory.
Tho discussion on tho oregon plan
bill for direct election Of senator's. tho
somewhat dry because OF taking the
constitution question seriously, rose to
a height far above anything else in the
house during the present session. Those
who listened during the major part OF
the day yesterday agreed that probably
not one vote would be changed by all
the discussion. yet they made no move
to shut 1t off, klay and OConrer for
the bill and Jacobs and Ripley in op-
whole range OF the political system was
discussed.
An interesting, If not entirely peril
nent, fact was brought out by O'Con-
ner in regard to the veto OF the COVER
nor. He suggested that In view Of the
fact that the governor Is not a lawyer
at all, 1t would be natural that he
should seek the aid OF the legal depart
ment OF the state in regard to the legal
phases OF the bill. But O'Conner wrote
to the attorney general to ask II he had
been consulted in regard no this meas
ure. and the response was that he
had not been. The presumption was.
then, that some other lawyer had been
consulted In the preparation OF the
message.
Takes Rap at Governor.
O'Conner read from the message and
then from the laudatory editorial in the
Capital telling OF tho wondrous cour-
age Of the brave and noble governor in
vetoing the message. The speaker said
It would moro nearly conform to his
idea Of courage II the governor had
frankly stated that the veto was done
as party measure TO save the party.
Attention was called in tho dis
cussion to the fact that while there are
4 number of great constitutional law
yers in the United States senate. and
men like Root and Bailey are opposed!
to popular election OF senators. yet
IIley nave NOT raised tne question OF
the unconstitutional character Of the
Oregon law under which men have
been scnt to the senate
The address of Representative Fllay
was especially strong In support OF the
principle that the people have a righ,
to rule and that every method which
can bo devised to give all power di-
rectly to the people should be adopted
He predicted that no matter what tho
fate Of this bill 1t will only be n short
time until everywhere the correctness
OF tho principle is recognized and ac-
tual election of senator's by the people
will be the rule and not the exception.