The Railroads Beat the Farmers in Olympia

OLYMPIA, March 6.—The long-drawn-out fight over the Morgan bill for the reduction of freight and passenger rates was ended in the Senate this afternoon, when by a vote of 13 ayes to 21 noes it was defeated. Before the vote was announced Crow (Pop.) changed from aye to no in order to be able to move reconsideration. A. F. Burleigh, who made the fight for the railroads against the bill, and George Turner, who represented the grain men, were both present, and a large crowd filled the lobby. It has been an interesting fight, and Mr. Burleigh has won the greatest railroad contest ever made in the Northwest. The only unpleasant feature of today's debate was when Taylor reflected on some fellow-senators, and the claim is made tonight that his action lost one or more votes to the bill.

After the Senate was called to order at 2 o'clock, the clerk was ordered to read the bill. Amendments were offered to narrow the commodities covered and to adjust short-haul and long-haul rates. Dorr said the legislation was all in the interest of the east side and in direct opposition to the people on the west side; he gave notice that unless west-side people were protected he would be against the measure. Taylor asked Republicans to stand by the state platform for reduction of rates. Helm said the Republican party was on trial. Crow made a Populist speech and objected to the bill being amended to death. Range had a resolution from the Referendum Populist club of Seattle read, asking passage of the rate bill without amendment.

When the previous question had been moved on indefinite postponement, Deckenbach said the legislature was asked to surrender because the farmers of Eastern Washington were suffering. He wanted to say that the people of Chehalis county were suffering, and the present bill would injure shingle and lumber men: if there was a loss on hauling Eastern Washington products, the railroads would add it to the shingle and lumber rates of Western Washington products sent into the East. Frink said that two years ago Eastern Washington asked for a 25 per cent reduction on rates, saying that was reasonable; now the people out here were clamoring for a 35 to 40 per cent reduction. No business could stand such reductions. Were the farmers the only persons suffering in these Democratic times? More railroads were needed in this state, not less. Sergeant was willing to grant favors to the people of Eastern Washington, but not when it was to the disadvantage of his own people; he made an argument for 2,500 employees of railroads in Pierce county, who, he said, would suffer a reduction of wages if this bill were passed.

Taylor said he was the only friend of corporations on the floor. He wanted to build up Eastern Washington for the railroads to be prosperous. Tacoma and Seattle would be worth nothing if Eastern Washington was depopulated. This legislation was just as beneficial to the seaboard towns as to the east side. Taylor said he and Crow were the only members offering legislation for the employees of corporations, and all had been indefinitely postponed. Self-interest controlled 90 per cent of the people of the country, and this cry for the employees was the shedding of crocodile tears. Frink arose and said that when Taylor pointed his finger at him and said these shiners had voted against the laboring people he said that which was not true. Taylor replied that perhaps he was mistaken; that Frink was away when the bill came up. 'I have always stood up for the people,' said Frink, 'and I do not do it by my mouth. I have employed more men, paid more taxes and done more for the laboring people than half a dozen men like the gentleman who has just spoken.'

The vote in detail was: Yeas—Belknap, Easterday, Field, Hall, Helm, Horr, Hutchinson, Kellogg, Lesh, Miller, Range, Roberts, Taylor—13. Nays—Brown, Campbell, Crow, Deckenbach, Dorr, Donahoe, Fuss, Frink, Gilbert, Harper, Ide, Lewis, Megler, McManus, Pusey, Sergeant, Shaw, Van Houten, Washburn, Wilson, Wooding—21. Sergeant gave notice of intention to move for reconsideration of the vote.