Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-24
RED HOT ROW
In House Of Representatives at
Springfield, illinois.
LindIey and Muller Traction Bills
Friends in Almost a Battle.
Speaker Charges Attempted Bribery
Which Will Be Investigated.

Springfield, Ill. April 23.-In the
House. today, Speaker Miller advanced
measure known as the Lindley trac-
| ton bill to it's third reading, when
friends of the bill known as the Muel-
Ter bill made an attempt to pull him out
of the chair. In the midst of the tur-
moil the Speaker declared the House
adjourned.
Immediately after Miller left the
! chair. Representative hurry took the
floor and called on the House to elect
a Speaker PRO tempore. Charles Allen
of Fermillion was declared elected
Speaker, pro tempore, and forced his
way through a surging mob. of repre-
sentatives to the Speakers desk.
When Speaker Miller declared that
the first amendment of the Lindley bill
had passed by a viva voce vote, Repre-
sentative Allen, who was standing on
his desk. cried: You are liar"
There was now a fresh outbreak.
members shouting Mr. Speaker, Mr..
Speaker, roll call. roll call"
The second amendment was then
read. The uproar was deafening as the
Speaker started to put the question of
adoption. The Speaker declared the
amendment adopted. although his de-
cision could be heard scarcely three
feet from him. Pandemonium pre-
vailed. Many members had seized bill
books and were pounding their desks,
while Mr.. Cummings. from his seat in
the front row on the Democratic side,
was vigorously welding board. The
third and fourth amendments were de-
clared adopted.
When the reading of the fifth amend
ment was completed personal violence
against the Speaker was threatened. A
number of ladies We're sitting on the
couch near the Speakers desk.
will the ladies please move out from
behind it," shouted Mr.. Allen. .
Get them out" shouted Mr.. Sher-
man. Get the ladies out. Do not act
the coward
I'm the uproar. Mr.. Lindley was
heard to move the previous question
on the bill. The Speaker put the mo-
ton and although he could not be
heard, the movements of the gavel in
Dictated that the motion had prevailed.
At this point fight broke out on the
Democratic side, few feet from the
Speaker. Werdell, DEM, and Glade,
Rep, were the central figures, but eight
or ten other members appeared to be
taking hand in the melee in an evil
dent endeavor to separate the two COM
batants. 1t developed afterwards that
Werdell had started for the Speaker
with a menacing air and that Glade
had seized him, thus precipitating the
encounter. .. s.. .s.. ....,. ,..,
1t was now 11.40. Above the din an
indistinct motion for recess to 2.3O
was heard and a moment later the
Speaker declared it carried.
Mr.. Murray, from the top of his desk.
then addressed the House.
Gentlemen of the House," said he.
81 notice that we are without a Speak
er, and l therefore move that Mr.. AL
len be made Speaker pro tenn of this
House."
Mr.. Allen was hurried up to the chair,
escorted by several members.
The Speaker was surrounded by
large number of members, both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans. He at once
made an attempt to restore order and
requested the members to resume their
seats.
Speaker Pro TEN Allen ordered the
center aisle cleared, but discovered that
all the House officers had left.
The roll call showed 81 members pres
ent.
Mr.. Sherman made an extended talk
on the constitutional status of the ex-
listing session of the House He said all
that was needed was that the 81 MEM
bers present proceed in an orderly and
parliamentary way.
The Lindley municipal ownership
bill then was recalled from third read
ing to which it had been sent by the
regular organization of the House a
few moments before.
Section by section the Mueller bill
was then made substitute for the
Iindley bill and a new section was
added specifically limiting to 20 years
all franchises granted to street rail-
ways corporations.
A resolution was adopted reciting
that the Speaker had. by revolution
airy and unconstitutional method de-
MED a hearing or roll call constitution
ally demanded upon measures of great
import. and having attempted by such
methods to force the measures beyond
the point where they could be amended
or calmly considered.
While the members were considering
further action to take, the hour arrived
when the House usually convenes for