The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-07

The first legislature of the state of
Utah convened yesterday in special
session in the rooms set apart for its
use in the city and county building.
The session was called by Governor
Wells for the purpose of enacting a
law authorizing d regular session, there
being no constitutional provision there
Tor. It was the intention of the ma
1ority to pass this bill and convene
the regular session yesterday in order
that the balloting for United States
Senator might begin one week from to-
day, chat the senatorial contest might
not interfere with needed legislation
any longer than necessary. This at
least was the ostensible reason, but
there is q feeling prevalent that the
hasye was in the interest Of certain
senatorial candidates rather than TO eX-
pedite business.
The Democratic members of the SEN
ate, particularly, while they did not at
Tempt TO delay proceedings felt that it
was q purely party measure
IN which they were not inter
ested further than that a bill
authorizing the regular session should
be passed and accordingly the house
members allowed the Republican ma
iority TO take its course. while the SEN
ate minority objected. They felt that
so far as public interest was cen
cerned today would do as well as yes
terday for the bill to become a law
and so voted on party lines. declining
70 assist the Republican senatorial
scheme. The result was that the bill,
though passed. failed of the desired
effect. that of enabling the regular ses-
sion to convene Yesterday, owing 10
the fact that Senator Sutherland's alb
sence on account Of sickness prevented
me Republicans from being able to
pass the emergency clause by the ne
cessary two-thirds majority.
The result is that balloting for
United States senators will not begin
until two weeks from today, but the
special session can adjourn today and
reconVene in regular session If the
governor signs the bin.
Both branches organized in accord
ance with the slate made up at the
Republican caucuses Saturday.
In the senate the organization was
conducted in regular order, party lines
being drawn and both sides voting for
their respective candidates. but in the
house il was different There the
Democrats We're arbitrarily deprived
Of their right even to place candidates
IN nomination. Whether this was due
TO a desire on the part of Speaker Den
ny to play the tyrant or whether his
ruling which was in effect that an
amendment cannot be offered to q
resolution. was due to a lack of parlia-
ulentaTy knowledge is not known, but
his action is construed as due to the
latter reason for there were several
other Instances Of Improper rulings.
In fact the whole house session was
one series Of blunGers on the part of
Republican members which if continu-
ed will result in some very funny &C
tons ere the session closes.
The Republican members took the
lead in all matters and succeeded in
making q laughable spectacle of
themselves. They seemed not to know
how to go about organizing in the first
place, and did not appear to know how
or when 10 make motion until it had
been several times repeate6 and
Strengthened out. One instance Or-
CURED when z 3. CritchloW offered a
resolution and It was put as a motion
and carried without any motion for its
adoption being made
1t was most ridiculous session
throughout best illustrated by one lit
tie incident that occurred. a motion
was carried adopting the rules of the
Thlrty-hrst territorial legislature as
the rules TO govern the special session.
In these rules smoking is prohibited
in the house. but five minutes later
half the members were putting away AT
cigars.