The Portland daily press., 1899-01-21
a WOMAN S SPEAKER.
How Mrs. Lee Presides over the Color
ado House.
{ Boston Transcript. }

Denver, Col, Jan. 10 For the first
time in the history Of the nation woman
has presided over u State legislature in
active session. 10 Mrs Frances ; Lee
of Denver belongs the honor and her
record In the chair of the Colorado House
of Representatives Is one C pride to her
sisters Of the State. A fsw days ago a
resolution was introduced in the House
providing for the employment Of many
additional clerks and other employees. IL
was considered by the retrenchment fac
ton as bold grab at the treasury, and
| Speaker Smith was opposed He glanced
about the floor in search OF some member
on his side of the question to call to the
chair. Mis-. Lee met his gaze, and in a
moment was on the platform. The Speak
CT handed her the ga7el and took his seat
ON the floor Then arose unique situa-
ton. Members were ut u loss TO know
| how to address the presiding officer. Mr..
Speaker came from one side, while
| Mime President" was heard from an
other. General Johr Browning, formerly
member of the New York legislature,
compromised on Mrs Speaker I'm
mediutely after Mrs Lee took the gayel
motions came thick and fast. The debate
| on the grab resolution became lively. and
twice Mrs. Lee WAS compelled to rap for
order. he raps were distinctly femi-
nine, but they were backed up by scowls
of gallant memb ers, and unruly fellows
came to order at once. In the Hood of
motions and counter parliamentary tao
| tics, the situation became somewhat
mixed. Mrs. Lee called on two clerks TO
keep track of the orders. At iirst she was
| h,ss . ha live
| wore along she became more composed
md finally dismissed the clerks.
| The Speaker backed up her stand on the
| retrenchment propositions very neatly In
| IA ruling ON a point of order. A member
from an outside county raised the point
that the rules provided for no employee
4 to be sworn In until his service was abso-
lutely required.
| Mrs. Lee sustained this with u decisive
manner that showed she had regained her
com posture. When the grab matter WAS
finally disposed of and the House settled
| down tc routine noise and work. Speaker
Smith still remained on the floor. He
| had made several speeches against certain
resolutions, and enjoyed the novelty OF
| seeing skirts in his place. suddenly Mrs.
| Lee remembered that her committees had
not been notified of the meetings, and
she quickly raped for order, like a
woman suddenly remembering subject
| just after she had said goodby TO visitor
| usually the most important object of the
call, Jumped TO her feet and announced. in
clear tones the list of meetings arranged
| for her committees, then sat down with a
contented air that caused smile.
| During Mrs. Lees trial at the helm OF
| state, the governor ana other State Off
oials dropped into tine chamber, and one
time the Senate was swithout quorum
| on account of the absence OF senators in
the House. When the session adjourned
| the woman Speaker held a short recep-
+! ton, in which femininity ruled.
| 4. Mrs. Lee is the wife of Sergeant Lee oil
| the Denver.polioe, and is n strong advocate
of any measure indorsed by the State
| Federation of Labor, as well as in favor
of the laws relative to the care OF incor
| rigible girls and the property rights OF
married women. With her two co-labor.
ers-Dr. Mary Barr of Pueblo and Mrs.
| Harriet Wright. of Denver-all measures
| Endorsed by women's clubs of the State
are looked aft.r. The persistenoy with
which her careful eye Is kept open for
political pitfalls is remarkable. Mrs.
| Lees favorite measures in legislation be-
sides those mentioned are precinct saloon
veto and tho reduction In salaries OF
public officials as well as =. increasing the
hours of their labor.
/. DIR. Mary Bars pet bill is one regu-
latiug the practice of medicine, and Is
aimed especially against advertising
ply sicians, Christian Science healing and
fake doctors generally. Mrs Wright
pet measure 10 "A compulsory school law,
although she announces that any measure
favoring union labor and bettering the
condition of the working classes will
receive her support. Mrs. Lee is Demo.
crat, Mrs Wright Popuiist and Mrs.
| barry Silver Republican.
|
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