Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-02-17
GAG LAW IN THE SENATE.
Four Election Bills Passed at Yesterdays
Session Brought Out Some Lively
Speeches From Republicans.

Speeches From Republicans.
Nashville, Tenn, Feb. 1O.-All OF to.
day was consumed in the Senate in
considering election bills. Four bills
were passed.
The first was the House hill, making
it felony to bribe or coerce voters.
Mr.. Tipton's amendment giving
grand juries inquisitorial powers, was
tabled.
Mr.. Cases amendment making it
felony to stuff ballot box was tabled.
The bill passed, ayes 81, noes 5, and
now goes to the Governor.
The next bill was the one which
passed the House yesterday authorizing
the Governor to appoint election com.
misSioners in counties under fifty thou
sand
Mr.. Upton offered an amendment
which provided that leach Judge or
clerk shall be able to read and write,
and it shall be felony for the COM
missioners of elections 10 appoint any.
one as judge OF clerk not SO qualified.
A violation of this provision shall be
imprisonment in the penitentiary for
not exceeding five years, and if any
such judge or clerk shall allow anyone
to vote whom they know to be disquali-
fled or falsely count the vote cast, or
shall take from the ballot box any vote
cast by an elector or substitute therefor
ballot not cast by an elector; or shall
falsely certify to the result of any, be
shall be guilty of felony and on con-
viction shall be imprisoned in the peni.
tentiary for not less than three nor
more than ten years and be adjudged
Infamous. Tabled
Mr.. Case offered amendments that
representatives of political parties
should suggest the commissioners hut
it was tabled and the bill passed, ayes
23, noes, 8.
The Senate bill authorizing registra-
tion commissioners to appoint judges
and clerks of election in counties of
over fifty thousand OF other counties
where there are registration commits.
sioners, passed, ayes 90, noes 7.
The Senate bill extending the pro.
visions of the election laws to all dis
trict having registrati passed, ayes
90, noes 8.
The debate on these bills was exceed.
ingly warm and the gag law was ap-
piled to shut off bitter speeches made
by the Republican members.
MIR. Houk challenged Democrats to
explain the bill and charged them
with ignorance as to what counties or
districts the bills applied. He said the
Democrats were political thieves and
robbers.
"Mr. Speaker" said Mr.. Ellis, II
have sat here quietly for some time
listening to the announcements of the
Democratic party-hearing the Demo.
Gratis of this Senate called thieves and
robbers. want to ask Mr.. Houk why
he doesn't make these statements on
the outside"
u haven't got anything to take
back" replied Mr.. Houk, II still say
you all are political thieves and rob
bers"
The speaker called upon the sergean,
at arms to restore order.
Mr.. Ellis again said: "Why doesn'i
the Senator from Knox repeat his words
outside the Senate chamber"
''The Senator from Knox has con
sumed all of the time allowed him un
der the rules" said the Speaker, she
will take his seatn
Later in the day Mr.. Upton denounc
ed as false the charge that there wal
fraud in East Tennessee. The Demo
Gratis were simply in hole. They
were losing their grip and ought t,
lose it. They were not afraid of negr,
domination. The negro counties wer
Democratic while the large white coun
ties went Republican.
Experience proves the merit of Hood