Evening journal., 1919-03-13
Democrats Secede,
Then Return to Seals

the calendar. The bill met the same
fate today.
Senator Alice, in calling the bin up
said. "The Senate and House are being
made the laughing stock Of the State of
Delaware by the Democrats minority
They are acting like lot Of school
children. When bills are killed we
want them to stay killed This bill
was killed a week ago and il it is killed
today we want it to stay killed and not
be reconsidered again tomorrow"
/ lie declared that he hoped the meas
ure would pass, as the organization
needs the money and pointed out that
/ ii has no political significance. as ninety
/ per cent Of the members Of the Rob
bins Hose Company are Democrats.
Senator Robertson pointed out That no
bill can be twice recOnsidered.
President pro tenn Short referred 20
the caucus agreement OF the Democrats
that they were not going to vote for
/ certain bills unless the Republicans
withdraw certain measures. ami de
clared that the chair will rule t0mOr-
row. that a motion TO reconsider upon
bills killed will be out Of order, whether
such ruling is parliamentary or not.
Democrats 10 Vote 'NO.'
Senator Gormley referred TO senator
Allee's remarks as "thundering elo-
quence," and declared that his attitude
toward the "helpless minority" would
not swerve them from their course.
but that they would adhere ruthlcssly
to their caucus decision
Senator Palmer declared that he ap-
proved the policy the chair intended to
adopt that no bills should be recon-
sdercd.
Referring TO Senator Gormleys state
ment the chair declared that the very
reason why be had made the ruling was
bcause he had every assurance that
the Democrats intended 20 stick TO
their agreement.
Senator Robertson believed that the
chair was too arbitrary in making such
ruling, as discrepancies may be dis
covered in bills that have been passed
and the Senate might want TO recon
slider them
The president pro-tempore explained
that his ruling would apply only to the
bills that the Democrats had served no
tice they would never vote for.
The bill was then killed by a strict
party vote Of II yeas TO nays, all the
Democrats voting against it, and Sena-
tor Walker being absent.
Before the action was taken on this
bill a similar bill was killed in the SEN
ate, it being Senator Richards bill TO
appropriate $500 TO the Aetna Hose,
Hook and Ladder Company Of Newark,
Senator Richards explaining that the
company protected much State proper
ty. The first vote on the bill was -
yeas to nays. the Democrats opposing
il, but before the vote was announced
Senators Palmer and Bennett changed
their votes from ives" TO mo" for the
purpose Of reconsideration, this being
before the chair made its ruling.
By a unanimous vote the Senate to
day passed Senator RObertson's bill
giving members OF a partnership the
right 90 institute legal proceedings
against a partner who has used money
belonging to the firm for improper pur-
poses.
Utilities Board 90 Stay.
BY a vote Of 10 yeas 10 nays, SEN
ators Brown and Pool voting with the
Democrats, the Senate killed senator
Robertson's bin repeating the Board of
Public Utility commissioners OF VIII
mingtOn, a twO-thirds vote being nee
essary for passage.
1T Is generally believed that the
Board Of Public Utility Commissioners
has been about as much use to the
public as the third wheel to a cart,
declared Senator Robertson, advocating
the bill. IN fact. it has been a detri-
ment to the public, and the public and
City Council are back Of the BILL" He
explained that he introduced it by pub
lie request.
Senator Gormley declared that he had
failed to find a public demand for the
repeal OF the law lie said the fault
does not lie with the law creating the
body but with the men who haven't
been appointed to constitute it. lie be-
lieyed the members Of the board should
be elected by the people instead Of ap-
pointed by the mayor. IF you repeal
this law you will have nothing TO stand
between the people and the public util-
tiles" he said
Senator Robertson declared that in
stead Of the board standing between
the public and the public utilities it
had always stood on the side OF the
public utilities against the public.
The Senate today unanimously pass
ed the following bills: Senator Allee's |
bin TO exempt honorably discharged /
soldiers Of the Civil War from the pay
ment OF capitatioh tax; Senator Pal /
mer's bill, directing county officers in I
Sussex County TO furnish a bond be- |
fore assuming office. At present they 4
do not bond until the court meets in /
February. Senator Handy's bill fixing |
a penalty against members OF eXami- /
ners for undertakers in case Of viola I
lions and giving the Governor power to /
remove them from Office for cause.
The Senate, by a vote Of yeas 10 /
10 NAYS. killed Senator RobertsOn's bill /
the salary Of the regulator !
Df weights and measures in all three |
The action Of the Democrats appar-
entity widened the gap between the two ]
parties and the indications are that |
little If any business win be done the |
remainder Of the week unless an agree
nent of some kind relative to the rip
Ders" is reached. The senator Alice
ripper" bills passed by the Senate on
Tuesday were sent TO the House yes
.erday afternoon and referred to the
committee on revised statutes OF which
Lyons is chairman. This
committee did not hold a meeting to
consider the bills during the afternoon.
What the outcome Of the matter rel
ltive to the "rippers" in the House
will be, is hard to tell at this time.
Although several Republican members