The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-05-27
TWENTIETH DAY.
IlnMse.

Jackson, May I9-This has been one of the
most exciting days OF the present legislature.
When the senate yesterday refused TO adopt the
conference committees report on the capitol
question it was freely predicted that the action
meant that the legislature would adjourn with.
out providing for the building OF a new capitol.
Others, and they were largely IN the majority as
the events of today show, predicted that the SEN
ate would yield and accept the conference report
rather than see the legislature adjourn without
provision for a new capitol. The fact that the
senate had refused to accept the conference COM
lnittee report was reported to the house late yes
terday afternoon. This was accompanied with
the request OF the senate Tor a further confer.
ence and naming the senate committee, When
the report was received the house adjourned
without taking action. This morning the re-
quest OF the senate was considered by The house
and by a large majority II refused to grant an
other conference. The senate then took up the
motion to reconsider Its aclion yesterday In re-
fusing to adopt the conference report. and for
three or four hours there was the liyeliest de-
pate that has been seen in either branch of the
legislature during this session. 1t soon became
apparent that the senate would Yield and adopt
the report. The result showed that 1t did so by
a vote OF % yeas to 10 nays. This means the
building OF the capitol on the present site with
the Gordon plans.
The house was called to order at 9 o'clock.
Mr.. Shivers moved TO take up the conference
committee request from the senate.
Mr.. Shiyers moved 10 lay the resolution on the
table.
Mr.. houston OF Monroe arose to a question Of
information. Hoped that the house would not
act rasllly or discourteOusly to the senate.
A storm of noes greeted Mr.. Houston, and
the roll call was demanded. The house was
clamoring to get a whack at the senate, Five or
sa members were on their feet at once making
points OF order and trying to explain. The
speaker ordered the roll call. The house refused
TO grant another conference committee by a vote
OF 10 to 10.
Mr., Houston OF Monroe entered a motion to
reconsider.
Mr.. Houston OF Monroe arose to explain his
vote, said that he wanted TO be perfectly frank
with the house. lie was aware that the senate
had not acted right that 1t had laid a trap for
the mouse and got caught in 1t Instead OF the
house, and he further realized that the house
had acted fairly aud the senate unfairly. In
spite of all this, II was the duty OF magnanimity
aud manhood aud courtesy to grant another con.
ference committee. Then the house would have
done everything that could be expected, He
thought that IL was his duty to make the ex-
planaiioD, due himself and his friends. He
could never expect 10 think as much of the man
who laid a trap ana was hOislei with his own
retard, but, nevertheless, he stood for all due
courtesy, for manhood and for full duty and
fairness to the senate.
MIR. Cox Of Prcntiss disagreed with MIR. Hous.
ton. He thought that the house had done every
thing tnat could be expected. This house was
not expected 10 give up everything. 1t had given
up It's plans, Its mode Of clecting commissioners
and several other minor matters. and now, for
sD0tli, the senate wanted them to cOncede that.
The conference committees report should by all
means be Endorsed. He was opposed Ia further
parleying with the senate about IL. The house
had receded Just as far as 1t could as men, and
and he didn't advocate going back any further.
Mr. 'hPay of Tunica said that he agreed with
ummer '-~ir'ait IL I nnro.