Senator Davisson offered joint and concurrent resolution No. 10. entitled An act to amend the Constitution concerning revenue creating a special tax for road purposes; Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Burkhead introduced Senate bill No. 82, entitled An act to amend section 3397, article 4, chapter 46, Revised Statutes of Missouri, 1889, entitled "Probate courts;" Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Burkhead introduced Senate bill No. 83, entitled An act to amend section 6438 of article 2 of chapter 97, Revised Statutes of 1889, entitled "School lands;" Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Burkhead introduced Senate bill No. S4, entitled An act to amend sections 4286 and 4287, and to repeal section 4288 of article 10 of chapter 48, Revised Statutes of Missouri, 1889, entitled "Appeals and writs of error;" Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Burkhead introduced Senate bill No. 85, entitled An act to repeal section 2422, chapter 40, Revised Statutes, 1889, entitled "Conveyances of real estate;" Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Burkhead introduced Senate bill No. 86, entitled An act to repeal sections 7333, 7334, 7335, 7340, 7341, 7343 and 7344 of chapter 129, Revised Statutes, 1889, entitled "Poor, support of," and to enact seven new sections, etc.; Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Burkhead introduced Senate bill No. 87, entitled An act to amend and supplement an act to define express companies and to prescribe the mode of taxing the same, and fix the rate of taxation thereon and prescribing certain penalties and remedies for the violation of this act, and the act to which it is supplementary and amendatory; Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. The following message was received from the Governor, through his Private Secretary, Mr. Moore: EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, STATE OF MISSOURI, ) To the Senate and House of Representatives: I have the honor herewith to transmit (through the House of Representatives) the report of the Adjutant-General for the years 1897 and 1898, together with an appendix containing various reports of commanding officers of Missouri regiments etc., etc., and also a complete roster and index of over 9,000 names of our volunteer soldiers who served in the late Spanish-American war of 1898. Respectfully, LON V. STEPHENS, Governor. Which was read. [For report see Appendix.] Senator Davisson introduced Senate bill No. 88, entitled An act to prohibit the sale by dramshop keepers of spirituous, vinous and other malt liquors in places other than the dramshop; to prohibit wine rooms and lunch counters and to amend chapter 56 of the Revised Statutes relating to dramshops, by the addition of a new section thereto; Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Davisson introduced Senate bill No. 89, entitled An act to provide for a State board of arbitration for the settlement of differences between employers and employes; Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Cooper introduced Senate bill No. 90, entitled An act to amend sectión 7 of an act entitled "An act to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors in the original package or otherwise,” approved April 20, 1891; Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Mott introduced Senate bill No. 91, entitled An act to amend section 6410 of chapter 96 of Revised Statutes of Missouri of 1889, entitled "Landlords and tenants," and relating to changes of venue under said chapter; Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Mott introduced Senate bill No. 92, entitled An act to amend section 6219, article 6, chapter 94 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri of 1889, entitled "Justices, courts," by providing that prior to transfer of cases thereunder to the circuit court, defendant shall give bond for subsequent costs, rents and damages; Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Mott introduced Senate bill No. 93, entitled An act to amend section 5164, article 2, chapter 68 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri of 1889, entitled "Forcible entry and detainer," and relating to changes of venue under said chapter; Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Drabelle introduced Senate bill No. 94, entitled An act to amend section 5120, chapter 68, article 1 of the Revised Statutes, 1889, by adding an additional clause concerning the question of possession;" Read first time and 150 copies ordered printed. Senator Walker submitted the biennial report of the Missouri School for the Deaf and Dumb. Senator Mott moved to take a recess until 11:45 a. m. The motion prevailed. The hour of recess having expired, the Senate was called to order by the President. The hour of noon having arrived the Senate formed in a body, headed by the President and officers, and proceeded to the House of Representatives to participate in a joint session for the election of a United States Senator for a term of six years, from March 4, 1899, in pursuance of the resolution adopted Tuesday, January 17. The joint session having dissolved, the Senate was called to order by the President. Senator Childers moved to adjourn under the rules. Which was carried. TWELFTH DAY-Thursday, January 19, 1899. The Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The President pro tem. in the chair. A quorum present. Prayer by the Chaplain. The roll was called with the following result: day. Absent with leave-Senator Schweickardt-1. Senator Schweickardt was granted leave of absence until Mon The Journal of yesterday was read and approved. Whereas, It has been repeatedly reported and charged in the public press that there exists great corruption and dishonesty in various departments of the city and State governments of the city of St. Louis, and is laws ineffectual; and Whereas, It is desirable for the good name and fame of the State Missouri that if such charges are true the guilty should be punished and the evils corrected by adequate legislation; and if not true, the charges and rumors should be declared false; and Whereas, A resolution was adopted by the Senate on the 6th day of January, 1899 authorizing and directing the President of the Senate to appoint a committee of six Senators to investigate and make diligent inquiry into each and every department of the municipal and State governments of the city of St. Louis; and Whereas, The President did, on the 10th day of January, 1899, pursuant to said resolution so adopted, appoint as a committee for said purposes the following named Senators, to wit: Elliott W. Major, Charles J. Walker, J. Houston Childers, Henry H. Hohenschild, Buell L. Matthews, Asbury Burkhead; and Whereas, The State government and departments and the election systems in said city of St. Louis and its offices and officers exist by virtue of the laws of the State of Missouri and it becomes the duty of this Senate to become thoroughly informed as to the actual operation of such laws in said city; and, to the end that it defects therein exist, the same should be corrected by adequate legislation thereon; and Whereas, The officers and offices and departments of the municipal government of said city exist by virtue and operation of the laws of the State of Missouri and over which the State and Legislature exercise a general police regulation as to all Its said offices, officers and municipal departments; and it becomes the duty of this Senate to be thoroughly informed as to the actual operation of such municipal offices, officers, departments and city government and its laws, to the end that if defects therein exist, the same should be corrected as far as possible by adequate legislation thereon; therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate, That the said Elliot W. Major, Charles J. Walker, J. Houston Childers, Henry H. Hohenschild, Buell L. Matthews and Asbury Burkhead, composing said committee heretofore appointed by the President of the Senate, to investigate said departments and officers and the charges made against same, be and they are hereby directed, authorized and empowered by the Senate to investigate and make diligent inquiry into each and every department of the municipal and State governments, including the police department, of the city of St. Louis, the office of excise commissioner, board of election commissioners of the city of St. Louis, and as to the conduct and management of the same by the officers, clerks or other employes therein, with a view to ascertaining whether any such department or departments have been conducted contrary to law, and whether such ofBeers, clerks or other employes have been guilty of any violation of law in their said position and any and all defects, if any, in the police and election laws of said city of St. Louis, and also in the municipal laws, offices, departments and elty government thereof, and to make such recommendations as to the enactment of wholesome laws as may be deemed necessary and make such recommendations as to the amendment of the charter of said city of St. Louis as the facts and operations of the laws may warrant. Said committee shall have power to investigate the last election and also primary election of said city and any matter touching the administration of the government of said city and of all the departments, offices, officers, clerks or other employes thereof and to do so by virtue of the general police power and regulations of the State and Legislature thereof over its citizens and municipal governments. Said committee shall have power to summons and compel the attendance of witnesses and to compel them to answer all legal questions, to administer oaths, to demand and enforce the production of books and papers, to employ counsel learned in the law to assist the committee in making said investigation, and also such clerical force, clerks, sergeant-at-arms and assistants, and officers to serve process, writs, subpoenas, messengers and stenographers, as may be necessary to the speedy and efficient discharge of its duty. That said committee be required to make diligent inquiry into the matters and things aforesaid and make report to the Senate at the earliest time, consistent with a full investigation, as to the result of said investigation into all the State and municipal departments and government of said city of St. Louis, together with such amendments and recommendations or modifications of the laws affecting said city and State government as said committee may deem necessary, in order that any and all defects in the law and its operations may be cured by proper and adequate legislation thereon. That all expenses of said committee, and all the expenses of said investigation shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the Senate, when properly audited by the Senate committee on accounts. Which. was read. Senator Major moved the adoption of the resolution. The motion prevailed. Senator Cooper offered the following resolution: Whereas, There are twelve world's fair commissioners to be appointed by President MsKinley for the Paris exposition; and Whereas, The State horticultural societies of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Arkansas and the National League of Commission Merchants in convention at New Orleans have all endorsed and recommended the appointment of Charles C. Bell of Boonville, Mo., as one of the commissioners; and Whereas, The fruit interest of the West and especially Missouri of "big red apple fame" should be represented in the interest of this rapidly growing industry; therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of Missouri, That the great fruit interest should be represented on this commission and that Charles C. Bell would be a competent and worthy representative of this great interest. Which was read. Senator Cooper moved the adoption of the resolution. The motion prevailed. Senator Walker offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the various State officers and superintendents of State institutions be and they are hereby requested to furnish the Senate a list of their employes together with their postoffice address, the counties to which they are credited, the nature of their employment and the salary paid to each. Which was read and adopted. Senator Dowell offered the following resolution: Whereas, There is great dissatisfaction among the people of our State relative to the high prices charged for our public school text books; and Whereas. It is asserted by our ex-superintendent of public instruction in his late report that thousands of children are compelled to remain away from school on account of not being able to purchase the books required by law to be used in our public schools; and Whereas, The press of the State have frequently called the attention of the people to the abnormal prices they are paying for school books; and Whereas, It is by law made a penal offense for any school director to allow any other than the prescribed books to be used; and Whereas, The history contracted for and now used in our public schools, known as "Fisk's History of the United States," is calculated to instill into the minds of the children of our State a respect for and a belief in the national banking system and a single gold standard; and Whereas, Said Fisk's history assiduously attacks our greenbacks and all paper currency, referring to them as notes and promises to pay, and as vicious paper currency; therefore, be it Resolved, That we as representatives of the people refer these resolutions to the Judiciary Committee to examine into and report: First. Whether the prices charged for our public school books are unreasonably high. Second. Whether any considerable number of poor children are kept out of our public schools by reason of the high prices charged for books and for the further reason that they are compelled to use the books now prescribed by law to be used. JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. Third. To examine said Fisk's history and report as to whether it is a suitable book for our school children to use. Fourth. To examine into and report as to whether the State can be released from its contract provided they find that the prices of said school text books are unreasonably high so that the children of the poor cannot purchase them; and provided they further find that any of said books teach doctrines derogatory to the public welfare. Fifth. To examine into and report whether it is practical for the State to make and publish its own school books by and through its convict labor or otherwise, to the end that children of the State may be supplied with school books at a small cost so that all may receive at least an elementary education. Which was read. Senator Dowell moved the adoption of the resoltion. Senator Rollins moved that the portion of the resolution which refers subject matter to the Judiciary Committee be stricken out. The motion was withdrawn. Senator Haynes moved that the resolution be referred jointly to the Committees on Judiciary and Education. Senator Miller made the point of order that no reference could be made to two committees at the same time. The President decided the point of order well taken, Senator Haynes moved that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Education. Ayes and noes being called for, the motion was defeated by the following vote: Absent with leave-Senator Schweickardt-1. The question recurring upon the adoption of the resolution. Senator Ramp moved to strike out the last two "whereases" and the fourth resolution. Ayes and noes being called for, the motion was defeated by the following vote: Absent with leave-Senator Schweickardt-1. Senator Mott offered the following amendment to the resolution: Resolved, That the words "by or through its convict labor" be stricken out in the fifth section of the resolution. Which was read. |