The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-24
MOBBED ILLINOIS'S SPEAKER.
ROBOTS SCENES AND CHARGES
OF BRIBERY IN THE HOUSE.
The speaker AdJourns the session 70 Es-
- cape Violence " ouid'nt Allow Q Roll
Cail-Rump House In session for an
Hour-Speaker Later Charges Bribery.

| Hour-Speaker Later Charges Bribery.
-SPRISoYIELp. H.. April 3.-Chsrges
Of attempted bribery in connection with
the Mueller Municipal Traction Ownership
bill were made by Speaker J. H. Miller
in the House to-day. just before the even
ing announcement. Speaker Miller charged
that ne had been az preached by men who
had intimated to him that he could make
money by allowing roll call on the Mueller
bill. or permitting It's passage. He said
| that this was the reason why he had used
the gavel earlier in the day to oppose the
I advancement OF the bill. ...'.
| This charge wss made AZ the close Of 4
| day marked by the most riotous scene
| that was ever witnessed in the Illinois
| Legislature. The Speaker was mobbed by
several members while he was in the chair
There was free for all fight in which sew
ersl members were hurt.
After the adjournment at the close Of
this riotous proceeding. the Speaker left
the chair hut the ma jority Of the members
remained and recognized the House and
went through the motions OF performing
Legislative functions. for an hour or more.
The attack on the Speaker was made
because he refused to grant a roll call on
several amendments which were offered
TO the Municipal, Ownership bill, :. In the
afternoon a conference committee con-
sisting Of the friends of the Speaker and the
supporters Of the Mueller Traction bill.
arranged a compromise by which Speaker
Miller was TO accede to the demands Of the
Mueller people for a roll call on all matters
come cted with that measure.
When the house re-convened, after this
arrangement had been made. the Lndley
bill was recalled for secohd reading and It
was then Speaker Miller made the charges
that an attempt had been made to bribe
BIN in the interest Of the Mueller Traction
bill.
The scene following the Speakers an
nouncement was almost as noisy as those
which followed the trouble in the forenoon
session. Scores Of members were on heir
feet ell trying TO talk. but no one seemed !
10 know Just what was to he said. Mr.. |
Burton was recognized by the Speaker and |
said:
II demand that you give to this house the
names OF the persons who approached |
you
The turmoil and confusion continued
and then Mr.. Rinnaker was recognized and
laid: o..
y have no interest in the Mueller bill,
b,r ! do insist that the Chair make
public TO this House the names Of the per-
sons who approached him. as he states in
his charge. ] move a committee Of five
he appointed to fully investigate the whole
natter"
Speaker Miller put Mr.. Rinnakers' mo-
ion and IL was carried. Then the House
I'd journed until q clock tomorrow morn
ng. After the adjournment Speaker
Miller said that he would name the COM
nittee of investigation tomorrow
The free-for-all fight occurred in the
morning. twenty-five men wrestled about
he hoov in an endeavor 10 save Speaker
!. X. Miller from assault for "gavelling"
ertain amendments.
The Speaker adjourned tho HOUSE and
hereupon the members proceeded tn effect
temporary organization and to undo
he proceedings just enacted. Charles ,
Hen Of Hoopeston was made temporary
pesker. The members voted standing on
he tops Of their desks. Petor Kneller Of 5
hicago was made SECRETARY.
The roll was called. and an attempt was !
,ade 10 transact business. Little could be
one, however. as Clerk John A. Reeve had
,ized his records and followed Speaker
Iiller Reeve and his assistants locked ,
,e doors ~ the Clerks office and denied
imittance to everybody.