The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-03-05
TO BRING IN MEMBERS.
Drastic Measures Adopted by the House
in Salem.

in Salem.
The temporary house has decided t
adopt drastic measures to bring in alb
sentees. Members of the original hous
present ON Monday were sworn in b,
Chief Justice Moore, and number O
assistant sergeants-at-arms were ap
pointed by Temporary Speaker Davi
and dispatched to different parts of tn
state with warrants to serve ON absen
members. 1t had become evident tha
milder measures would not be effective
Being certain that it had power un
der the constitution to compel the at
tendance of absentees, the Davis house
unlike the Benson house, does not feal
the risk of having the constitutionality
OF its organization being tested in the
courts. Besides, it is not altogether
sure that any court has the right te
pass upon the method and manner OF
its organization, or has anything what.
ever to do with it.
There is little doubt, however, that
the courts will be appealed to by mem
bers of the late Benson house who have
been served with warrants.
-Four Representatives, Hope, Conn,
Gurdane and Jennings, have been ar
rested in Portland. They will at once
throw the matter into the courts on
habeas corpus proceedings. 1t is said
that Representative Smith of Marion,
is prepared to resist, and when he is
arrested will endeavor to secure his re-
lease on habeas corpus, and besides,
will have the legality of the whole pro-
ceeding and its collateral issues tested.
The outlook now is that the entire
matter of legislation must be held in
allegiance until the courts determine
whether it is or is not their business to
interfere in the legislative muddle
The expectation is that if test case
be brought to Salem, it would be heard
Immediately in the circuit court, and
an appeal would be taken to the su-
preme court. There is no doubt Chief
Justice Moore would cause it to be ad-
vanced on the docket.
If all expedition be used by both
sides to the controversy, final decision
may be reached within two or three
weeks. If either side fight for delay,
settlement may be deferred indef-
nitely.
Meanwhile it is scarcely to be expect
ed that there will be quorum in the
house soon, nor does it appear probable
that other absentees will voluntarily
come in, pending judicial adjustment
OF the wrangle-if there is to be ju-
dicial adjustment.
Portland. - Sergeant-at-Arms Hol-
man and his staff of deputies arrived in
Portland from Salem Monday after
noon, and little time was lost in plac-
ing Representative Jennings, of Wallo-
wa county; Representative Hope, of
Malheur county; Representative Conn,
Of Lake county, and Representative
Gurdane, of Umatilla county, under ar
rest. ALI of these men had determined
not to go back to Salem, and were pre-
pairing to go to their homes, but the
nterposition of the legislative officials
changed their plans.
Deputy Cotton left Monday night for
Astoria to arrest Representative Gratke,
md on his return home will stop at
Jlatskanie and take Representative
Norman Merrill in tow and induce him
20 return to Salem.
Others of the deputy sergeants-at-
lrms will go to Washington county and
Eastern Oregon for the purpose of serv-
ng notice on the members who have
zone away, and refuse to return.
The Temporary House.
The temporary house was called to
rider at 11:30 O'Clock Monday. The
oil was called, and the following twen-
y-one members answered present:
Barkley, Bayer, Bourne, Buckman,
Davis of Umatilla, Davis of Multno-
nah, Dustin, Emery, Gill, Guild,
Hill, Howser, Jones, Maxwell, Nc
A!lister, Misener, Munkers, Ogle,
'ovey, Svindseth, U'Ren.
Hill moved that a committee of three
e appointed to inform the chief justice
hat the members were ready to be
worn in. Hill, Emery and Misener
Tere appointed, and conducted Chief
ustice Moore to the speakers chair. !
he roll was again called, showing the
anne twenty-one members present.
Misener stated that he had been
worn in. The other members SUBJ
,rioed to the oath and were sworn in I
y Chief Justice Moore. !
A resolution offered by Hill that the ,
ouse take steps to bring in absent !
lembers was adopted. A resolution j
y Povey that the speaker appoint as
slant sergeants-at-arms, if necessary, !
} bring in the absentees, was adopted.
''Ren then read an opinion by c. E.
Wood, of Portland. to the effect that c
he organization has power to compel
he attendance of absentees. I
The speaker named as assistant SER /
]. J. Sturgill, L. H. c
-cHahan, M. K. Cunningham, Frank G
'illiams, G. L. Parmeter, J. E. Povev, T
. H. Weyant, P. ]. Cotton, John D. +
ally. The speaker announced others e
ould be appointed if necessary. An
ljournment was then taken. r