Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-08
WHEELING, W. VA, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8, 1901

HOluS, LHdI the cOmmlIIee amendments
had precedence, Reynolds saying after
they had been disposed of would be
the proper time to call for reading by
sections.
The first amendment was read and
when the Speaker put the question OF
its adoption to the House, Reynolds
moved its adoption. Anderson demand
ed the ayes anu noes, but the Speaker
refused to recognize the demand and
put the question and declared 1t car
ried in the affirmative, with
Practically all the Democrats
in the House on their feet demanding
the right to have a recorded vote.
The amendments were then pro-
ceeded with, the Democrats thereafter
succeeding in getting recognition OF
their demands for the ayes and noes,
and the majority saw they were in for
an all day session on the one bill.
Finally Reynolds went to the Demo-
Gratis and made overtures for peace.
Anderson said all the Democrats
wanted was time in whio.- to read the
amendments and compare the bill with
the law as it now is, and said If the
majority would make the bill spec
ial order for tomorrow the Democrats
would not offer a single dilatory mo-
ton on its consideration. Reynolds
said he favored that, and Anderson
asked that he get the others to assent,
saying that while he would trust Rey-
nolds he would not trust those who
were acting with him.
Smith, of Ohio, joined Reynolds in the
assurance that the majority would do the
right thing, and if the minority would
simply allow the amendments to be
adopted to-day they would be given the
opportunity to discuss the bill and offer
amendments.
Anderson insisted upon the majority CIV
ing time for the reading of the amend
ments before they were agreed to, and
finally
Both Sides Agreed to a Recess
until two o'clock, when it was thought
everything would be fixed ~.
But upon reassembling, Reynolds said
nothing could be done, and SO the grind
was continued, every amendment being
made the subject of a roll call
Finally, when one of the committee
amendments had been read, Kenney NOV
ed to amend it by striking out and insert
ing figures. The Speaker ruled that as the
figures already contained in the bill were
larger than those proposed, the vote must
be taken upon the original amendment
first. 1t was pointed out to him that the
rule to that effect only applied to filing
blanks but he held otherwise, and the
amendment was adopted. Then he ruled
that the figures having been adopted, the
amendment offered by Kenney would not
be voted on, thus virtually declaring that
an amendment to an amendment was at
no time in order. Anderson protested and
appealed from the ruling of the chair on
the ruling but the majority sustained the
Speaker as a matter of course.
In the heat of some of the discussions
when Anderson was demanding his rights
under the rules, the assistant sergeant
alarms appeared and put his hand on Al
derson's shoulder as though to force him
to his seat. Anderson
Had Never Seen the Officer
before and did not know him, but French
Hayes leaned forward with eyes aflame
and said, in meaning voice, Don't you
do that" whereupon the officer desisted.
After moment Assistant Clerk Hood
called the assistant sergeant away and
Hlderson resumed his seat, saying: II
take my seat at my own pleasure, and
not at the command of the sergeant-at-
arms
There was a hush upon the House at
the supreme moment, and then depreca-
ton was heard from the Republican side
at the outrage perpetrated upon a mem
Der of the House After that the bust
ness of reading amendments and calling
The roll for votes upon them proceeded
until the entire twenty-five had been
agreed to.
When the proper time came for other
amendments, Brannon. Anderson, Kenney
and Millender rose and addressed the
chair, but the Speaker paid no attention;
only kept his eyes glued upon the face of
Reynolds.
Finally that individual rose and moved
the previous question on the passage of
the bill to it's third reading.
Anderson, Kenney and Milender were
still upon their feet, and all demanded the
ayes and noes, but the
Chair Refused to See Them.
The main question was ordered. and i'm
mediately the Democrats were up again
to demand the eyes and noes upon the
passage of the bill to third reading. and
again the Speaker would not recognize
any of them, but put the question and
declared the bill passed to third reading
without recorded vote.
Thus ended the most disgraceful episode
ever witnessed in the Legislature of this
State