The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-24
The Chicago Traction Bills Cause a
r Whirlwind of Disorder in the
"a. Legislature.
The Speakers Attempt to Force One
Bill Thru Caused Riot
Yesterday.
Calmer To-day With Talk Of Inves-
LEGATIONS for Bribery-A Very
Tense Situation. -. ~,

Springfield, ILL.,, April 24.~-The opening
of the session of the legislature to-day
was calm after the storm of yester-
day, altho there was a decided undercur-
rent of feeling against Speaker Miller.
which threa tened to break out again If
anything similar to the tactics of yes
terday was attempted. The chief inter-
est in the traction question centered
around the appointment of a committee
to investigate the charges of attempted
bribery in behalf of the Mueller bill made
yesterday by Speaker Miller The speaker
would not announce the members or the
committee this morning, and few OF his
followers would give out the nameS~lf Sehey
knew them.
The members opposed to Speaker Mil
ler fatty declared that they did not be-
lieve there was anything in the charge
made by the speaker, and announced
their intention Of pushing home the mat
ter in such a way that Mr.. Miller would
be compelled to prove his assertion OF
attempted bribery or admit that he could
not make it good. In accordance with
an agreement reached this morning be-
tween the two factions, no effort was made
to approve the journal of yesterday, and
the proceedings Of yesterday were left
open.
A number of conferences were held
previous to the meeting of the house
this morning. Just before the house
speaker pro tenn during the session
held by the ninety seven members
that remained in their seats after Speaker
Miller declared a recess. yesterday morn
ing. amour reed the following floor COM
mittee to act for the Reorganization
forces:
Democrats--Wison. M. L. Mckinley and
Burton. Republicans-Murray, Brundage
and Tice.
The conference was had with the mem
bers of the republican steering committee
and it was agreed that no attempt should
be made to approve the journal Of yes
terday at to- days session. The plan de-
cided on was to have the matter Of the
approval of the journal postponed until
the next legislative day. thus leaving the
proceedings of yesterday open. Mr.. Rim
aker was selected. to make the motion to
postpone. rs->-. --.-. .. .4 r.. -,
The house was called to order at 9:l5
by Speaker Miller L.
Cha plain~~Pewers offered a. ferWent
prayer, but made no reference to the ex-
citing scenes of the previous day or the
charge of attempt of bribery (which
Speaker Miller made at a session last
evening.
At 1920 Mr.. Indy asked the unani-
nous consent of the house for the con-
sderation of the Indy bill. and requested
further that the consent should cover Ill
the amendments. The consent was OBJ
tanned and Mr.. Lindy entered upon an
exhaustive discussion Of traction legisla-
ton past and present.
Stewart of Cook county requested per-
mission to ask a question Of Mr.. Indy.
Having received it, he said
II underS tand that the first amendm ent
to the Indy bill is under discussion
"It is.'' said Mr. Lindy.
"Why, then" demanded Mr. Stewart.
"did you not make this speech Yesterday"
II can only say" replied Mr.. Lindly,
"that it is the habit of some men to ask
questions which they conceive to be en-
barrassing when they find themselves in
danger Of being overwhelmed by argu-
ment.'
This answer called for loud jeers from
the Cook county representatives.
Investigations Wanted.>
Before Mr.. Lindly called up his bill. a
conference of those representatives friend
" to the Mueller bill was held and it was
agreed that they would insist upon hav-
ing all amendments stripped from the
Indy bill. The representatives from
counties other than Cook who are opposed
to Speaker Miller announced that they
would not agree to further consideration
of traction matters until the bribery
charges made yesterday by Speaker Miller
had been investigated. The Cook county
members Of the conference agreed with
this position, and it was decided to force
the appointment of investigation COM
mittee 1t was also agreed that a resolu-
ton should be adopted summoning George
W. Hinman of Chicago before the bar of
the house to answer inquiries concern
ing assertions which he had caused to be
published. that money had been used to
further the passage of the Mueller bill.
AN AWFUL SCENE