The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-21
Speaker Tunstall Appealed to the House. Member from Jefferson Finally Yielded and Answered Call of His Name-Night Session
 Devoted Mainly to
 Local Bills.

A scene almost sensational Tn It's tense feeling and interest followed the refusal of Representative Alex T. London of Jefferson, to answer to his name during a roll call last night to ascertain if there was a quorum in the House of Repre- sentatives.
 Mir. London boldly declared that all though present he was not compelled to answer to his name if he did not choose to do so.
 Speaker Tunstall directed the Clerk to call the name of Mir. London three times. He then repeated slowly three times:
 Does the gentleman from Jefferson refuse to answer to his name?'
 The Speaker took the floor and in a ringing voice, which showed his deep feeling in the matter, demanded to know If the House proposed to allow a mem Der to defy its rules. He demanded that the House instruct him as to whether the rules would be enforced. If the mem bers of the House wanted the rules en- forced he declared that he would rigidly adhere to them regardless of who 1t cut or injured.
 But London Receded.
 Mir. London explained that his position was not intended to reflect upon the Speaker of the House, who, he said, had Tuieu IhlIly anu Uut hC btOoN upon his constitutional right to refuse to answer to his name. He finally receded from his position and the stormy incident ended.
 The clash between Mir. London and Speaker Tunstatl came near the close of the night session. MT. London had, ear Her in the session, declined to answer to his name on call of the roll to ascertain if a quorum was present. Mir. Goodwin of Montgomery, who was at that time in the chair instructed the Clerk to enroll Mr. London as present.
 The question of no quorum was raised by Mir. Wood of Macon about 1o;3o o'clock.
 The Speaker instructed the Clerk to call the roll. His attention was called to the fact that several members were leaving the hall.
 Tunstall Closed the Doors.
 ''The doorkeeper will close the doors of the House." said the Speaker and al- low no member to leave. The doorkeeper will also bring back any member who has left the hall"
 No member was brought back but the members who had started to the door re- stunned their seats.
 When the name of Mir. London had been called three times and he had thrice refused to answer to his name, Mir. Ben ners of Jefferson arose saying, T ask unanimous consent that my colleague be excused from voting"
 ''I object" cried several voices.
 Docs the gentleman decline to answer to his name?" deliberately asked the Speaker three times.
 MT London sat quietly in his seat.
 will the gentleman from Morgan kind- Iy take the chair?'' asked the Speaker of Mir. Callahan.
 Speaker Went on Floor.
 Standing in front of the Speakers stand MT. Tunstall, his voice evidencing the emotion under which he labored, said slowly:
 "The matter which has arisen is abso- Iutely of no personal interest to me. It does not personally matter to me wheth- CT the gentleman from Jefferson does or does not vote. A quorum of the House Is present whether the gentleman from Jefferson does or does not vote. It is, however. a matter of vital importance that the rules of this House, which were adopted under the provisions of the Con- stitution. shall be enforced. The rules of this House declare that every member of the House present shall vote on every question unless excused by the other members"
 'T want to know If this House." de- manded MT. Tunstall, his voice rising,