New-York tribune., 1903-04-24
LEGISLATORS In FIGHT.
TRIED TO MOB SPEAKER.
Illinois House iR Riot OUer MH-
niipaI O7Cnership Bills


the municipal ownership bills Adhsrsnts OF the
Mueller BILL indignant at Speaker MIer's ruling IN
favor Of the Indy bill attempted 70 pull the
Speaker from his chair. The Speaker raised hts
voice above the turmoil and declared the House s6-
3ourned. Thereupon Representative Murray. a Muei-
Ter bill man. called for the election of Speaker
PRO tenn Charles Allen was selected. but had difi-
Guilty in forcing - way 10 the Speakers chair
The aises were thronged with a crowd excited
that il almost mob Eventually be made tnS
passage and Henry Beitler made clerk. II wa
found difficult. however. to accomplish business
The municipal ownership fight row in progress
here is the exciting which the State capital
has witnessed in many years Chicago sentiment
is said to- favor the Mueller bill. and Mayor Hart
son. Graeme Stewart. the recently defeated candi-
date for Chicagos Mayoralty chair; John VI
Harlan and others OF influence. have been here
several days working for - The Indy BILL rhs
municipal ownership measure favored by se-
tive minority has. however. been forced ahead
Yesterday the Speaker arbitrarily refused roll
call a motion to postpone consideration OF the
Indy bill. although majority Of the Huse de-
manded the roTIcau The postponeueut motion was
declared carried amid protests OF the majority
The postponemeut was desired BY the Indy forces
because IL feared that trey had not votes enough
to defeat a motion 10 substitute the Mueller bill
To-day Speaker Miller ordered the Indy meas
ure advanced to third reaing. and tumulr arose.
during which the attempt made to pull the
Speaker from his chair.
When Speaker Miller declared that the first
amendment Of the LindIey bill had passed BY a
viva voce vote Representative Allen. who was OF a
number standing their desks. cried You are a
liar" There then a fresh outbreak Above the
din Mr. Sherman as he seized his chair and placed
it his desk IN front OF him. could be heard
shouting: The Speaker ignores the rules OF the
House. The Chair is not il order
The second amendment was then read The up
roar was deafening the Speaker started 20 pur
the question Of adoption The Speaker declared tbs
amendment adopted. although his decision could be
heard scarcely three feet from him Pandemoniur'
prevailed Many members had seized bill books
and were pounding their desks. while Mr.. Cum
mings from his seat in the front row on the Demo
cratic side. vigorously welding 2 board
MEMBERS IN FIST FIGHT
The third and fourth amendments were declared
adopted When the reading OF the fifth amendment
was completed personal violence against the Speak
er was threatened. A number OF were sit
ting the couch near the Speakers desk
VIII the ladies please move out from behindr'
shouted Mr.. Allen.
Get them outr" shouted Mr.. Sherman Get the
ladies' out Do not act the coward"
In the Uproar Mr.. Lindley heard 20 move
the previous question the bill The Speaker
put the motion. and. although he could not b.
heard the movements of the gaveI indicated thar
the motion had prevailed
At this point fight broke out on the Democrats
side a few feet from the Speaker Werden Dsr,)
and Glade GeepJ were the central figures but
eight ten other members appeared 70 be taking
a hand in the fracas in an evident endeavo- n
separate the two conbatants- It developed after
ward that werdeu had started for the Speaker
with a nenaci1g air. and that Glade had seized
him thus precipitating the encounter
Above the din an indistinct motion for recess
to $50 heard. and the Speaker declared 81
carried
now TO be standing on top OF their desks On tha
Republican side several were shouting AT the
Speaker protesting against the recess NO yo1
don't adjourn" they yelled
Mr. Murray. from the top OF his desk. then ad-
dressed the House TT is very evident said Mr.
Murray. that without a speaker this
moment and that there is majority here. and
therefore move that the Hon Mr. Allen be made
speaker pro TEN. OF this House"
Amid great confusion. Mr.. Murray put the
ton and declared II carried M Allen bur
ried up to the chair. Speaker Miller had carried
the gaveI 70 his rO0m and there was uOmentarv
embarrassment owing 10 the absence Of this @r7-
bIem authority Mr. schlagenhauef. however.
brought Up the rung of disabled chair and
handed Mr. Allen
Mr. Allen attempted TO restore order. A rolIcaU
was ordered. TO see If quorum was present Rep
resentative Gray attempted 70 explain MS vote on
the amendment. but was hoWIed down with cries
OF Throw him outr' but he obtained recognition
The Speaker has violated his oath Of office and
the constitution Of the State OF Illinois," said Nr-
Gray. We are now violating the law by running
a rough house here this time The rolicall
showed ninety-seven members present
THE SPEAKER HINTS AT BRIBERY
The Indy Municipal Owners.ip bill then was
recalled for third reading. TO which II had been
sent by the regular organization OF the House a
few moments before. and. section by section. tns
Mueller bill was made a substitute for IL new
section was added specifically limiting 20 twenty
wears all franchise grants TO railway corpora
tions-
while the members were considering what fur
tber action TO take the hour arrived when ths
House usually convenas for the afternoon Session
and Speaker Miller. with the members OF the Re
publican Steering COMMITTEES. emerged from ths
Speakers room IN the rear OF the House He s-nli-
fngfy ascendsd the rosrrunn. and as ne CID So MI
Allen. who was stfI occupying the chair extended
bI. band IN q friendly way. The House applauded.
There was laughter as the Speaker brought down
his gaveI and said The House viii De in order
= recess was ordered. and five representa5iyss
UAn+ into conference Il was finally asrsed tnal
the action Of the House On the LlndIey oll sho1I5
Be reconsfdered. and that to-n1orr2w tnere sno11o
he a rolIcaI on the anendulents that were adopt
1Bsfors adjournment Speaker Miller said
In justification OF my conduct to-day in refusing
a roIfcan which might have seemed nigh hanoed
075 5aye - baen approached at different times BY
parties who intiunated 20 ne tnaJ co1Io mae
money by allowing rollcau on Wnat Is Ano~l - - -
the Mueller Traction bill or perInitJins is passass
something wrong with tnls eIIorI on tns p1 pa
outside parties &c push this bill For this reason
6eaea 6e5-ia iGS To the very limit 4 majority OF the
House having signihed their desire 70 nave =
entire matter and viii permit rollcan 20 be had
Amid wild confusion Representative Rinaksr de-
clared that the House entitled 70 know the
names Of the persons who had approached TIE
Speaker. Mr.. Rinaker moved the appointment OF a
committee Of five investigate the matter. the
committee 10 be appointed by Speaker Miller. The
Speaker promptly put the motion. and declared y
carried. and the House adjourned until tomorrow.
Billy WHISPERS
The Autobiography Goat 4 Jolly story