The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-25
WAR DOGS LOOS{D
BY THELEGISLATORS
The Members Engage in a
f Furious Fight.
The MAJORITY AROUSED
Attempt by the Speaker to Override Their
Wishes in Favor of the Minority Has 0i-
sastrous Results--He Charges At
tempted Bribery,
tempted Bribery.
(By the Associated press.)

(By the Associated Press)
Springfield, H., April 23.-Slugging and
rolling each other across the speakers
platform in a frenzed general fist fight
at the feet of a score of female guests,
the members of the Illinois Legislature
today surpassed the widest scenes CT
the Austrian Reichsrath. Charges by the
speaker of the House, Isaac Miller, that
attempts had been made to bride him
were formally made tonight as an expla-
nation of the extraordinary actions on
his part, which precipitated the riot. The
interior of the legislative chamber to-
night resembles, in a measure, the track
of tornado, general was the wreck
age of chairs and desks.
Chicago Street Railway franchises
more valuable than gold mines, were
directly at stake, Federal court receiver
ship proceedings against the Union Trac-
tion Company of Chicago yesterday hay
5ing brought the matter to sudden issue.
The stormiest time ever experienced
in the Illinois Legislature began almost
without warning, in a whirl of wild dis
order, which arose today in the House
of Representatives over rival traction
measures or so-called municipal own
ership bills.
Adherents of The Mueller Bill, indig
nant at Speaker Miller's ruling in favo"
Of the Lindley bill, attempted to pull the
speaker from mis- chair. The speaker
raised his voice above the turmoil ana
declared the House adjourned. There
upon Representative Murray, of Mueller
bill fame, called for the election of =
speaker pro tempore. Charles Allen of
Vermillion, was selected, but had diff
Guilty in forcing his way to the speak
ers chair The aisles were thronged
with a crowd so excited that it was al
most a mob. Eventually he made the
passage and Henry BETTER was made
clerk. 1t was found exceedingly diff
cult, however, to accomplish business
During roll calls on amendment to the
Lindley bill nearly half the members Of
the House stood on their desks, shout
ing and gesticulating.
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 vigor
ously welding board.
Personal violence against the speaker
was threatened. number of ladies were
sitting on the couch on the speakers
rostrum.
"win the ladies please move out
from behind?" shouted Mr. Allen
"Get them out shouted Mr.. Sherman.
Get the ladies out DO not act the
coward"
A fight broke out on the Democratic
side a few feet from speaker. Werdell
DemocraD and Glade Republican, were
the central figures but eight or ten 9th
err members-in fact almost everybody
in their immediate vicinity-appeared to
he taking a hand in the melee in an en-
dcavor to separate the two combatants.
1t developed afterwards that Werdell had
started for the speaker with menacing
air and that Glade had seized him, thus
precipitating the encounter.
The municipal ownership fight now in
progress here is the most exciting which
the capital has witnessed in many years.
Chicago sentiment is said to favor the
Mueller bill and Mayor Harrison and
others of influence, have been several
days working for it. The Indy bill, !
the municipal ownership measure favor
ed by an active minority has however,
been forced ahead. Yesterday the speak
er refused a roll call on q motion to post
pone consideration of the Indy bill al
though a majority of the House demanded
roll call. The postponement motion
was declared carried, amid the protests
of the majority.
Today Speaker Miller ordered the Lind
ly measure advanced to third reading
and a tumult of voices rose in opposition,
during which the attempt was made to
Pull the speaker from his chair. After
Speaker Miller declared the House ad-
jcurncd the newly organized House re-
called the bill from the third reading and
proceeded section by section to substitute
the Mueller bill for it. The time then
arrived for the regular afternoon session
and Speaker Miller resumed the chair
without opposition. Considerable con-
fusion attended attempts to transact bus
mess and a recess was taken until cven-
ing At the might session Speaker Miller
said his action in refusing a roll call was
due to reports that he could make money
by allowing a roll call on the Mueller
bill, but as the House desired it he
washed his hands of the entire matter
and would permit a roll call. An agree
ment was renorted for consideration of
the Indy bill and the House adjourned
i,ntiI tO1nOrrOyv