Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-24
SPEAKER REFUSES TO ALLOW ROLL CALL
Enraged M'mberI Struggle to Drag Pre-
siding Officer from His Chair.
ONE PARTY LEAVES CHAMBER IN UpRoAR
Temporary 0rga1isa ion is Made and
Majority Have Their Way,
CHAIRMAN AFTERWARDS CRIES BRIBERY
Explains Extraordinary Action by
saying Cash WAS offered Him to
Let Bill Chicago FRvOrs
a Go Through.

sPRtNGFIELD, ILL.,, April z3.-slugging
and rolling over each other, across the
speakers PLATFORM at the feet Of score
Of wo-nen guests, the members OF the Illi
nois legislature today surpassed the widest
scenes Of the Austrian Reichsrath To-
night charges by the speaker Of the house,
Isaac Miller, that attempts had been made
to bribe him we're formally made as an
explanation for the extraordinary actions
on his part that precipitated the riot.
Chicago street railway franchises. moro
valuable than gold mines, were directly at
stake. the federal court receivership pro-
ceedings against the Union Traction COM
pany having brought the matter to a sud
den issue. The federal recevership was
held by many TO indicate an intention by
the company to fight out claim to ninety
nine-year franchises instead OF negotiating
with the city council for a renewal on a
twenty year basis, with municipal owner
ship option on the part OF the city.
The stormiest time ever experienced in
the Illinois legislature began almost with
out warning in a whirlwind OF wild dis
order. which arose today in the house of
representatives over rival traction meas
ures. or so called municipal ownership bills.
Chicago FavOrs Mueller Bill.
The municipal ownership fight now in
progress here Is the most interesting which
the state capital hae witnessed In many
years. Chicago sentiment is said to favor
the Mueller bill, and Mayor Harrison,
Graeme Stewart. the recently defeated can
didate for Chicago's mayoralty chair John
M. Harlan and others of influence have been
here SEVERAL days working for 1t.
The Lindley BILL the municipal ownership
M an hv nm haa
however, been forced ahead. Yesterday the
speaker arbitrarily refused roll call on a
motion to postpone consideration of the
Lndley bill, although a majority of the
house demanded the roll
The postponement motion was declared
carried. amid the protests of the majority.
1JAttenpt to Eject speaker.
Today Speaker Miller ordered the Lindley
measure advanced to a third reading and a
tumult Of voices rose in opposition during
which the attempt was made TO pull the
speaker from his chair.
It was 11;20 when Speaker Miller an
nounced that the Lindley Municipal owner
ship bill was q special order. The bill was
then read Mr.. Lindley was recognized
and offered a number of amendments.
Speaker Miller then ordered the ann nd
ments read. The first was read, but
when the speaker started to put the
question OF fits adoption to a viva voce
vote the house was thrown into disorder.
large number OF the members we're on
their feet, some Of them standing on chairs
and few on their desks, demanding a
roll call.
= "The amendment Is adopted" said
Speaker Miller. bringing down his gavel.
Calls Speaker a Liar.
you are liarl' retorted Mr.. Allen.
Above the din Mr.. Sherman, as he seized
his Kitchen chair and placed It on his
desk in front OF him, could be heard shout
ing: "The speaker ignores the rules Of the
house. The chair is not in order"
The second and third amendments were
similarly put and declared carried
BY this time a perfect 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 vigor-
ously welding board.
When the reading OF the fifth amendment
was completed personal violence against the
speaker was threatened. A number o.
women were sitting on the couch on the
speakers platform.
''Will the ladies please move out from
behiud?" shouted Mr.. Allen.
0CA NnSul ouNs bhOuitu MT sherman
"Get the ladies out; don't act the coward. .
In the uproar Mr.. Lindley was heard tC
move the previous question on the bill. Tn,
speaker put the motion, and although hC
could not be heard the movements of tn,
gavel Indicated that the motion prevailed,
Declares House Adjourned.
1t was now 11;4O. Above the din an in.
distinct motion for recess to 2:sO wa,
nd Iafo
brought down his gavel and declared Il
carried.
Fully half the members rose in profess
and stood on their desks, shouting, "No
you don't adjourn"
Mr., Murray, from the top OF his desk
then addressed the members Of the house
Gentlemen OF the house." said he -
notice that we are without a speaker"
"The house is adjourned" interrupted E
Z. Erickson.
mo. It has not" was the response from
several members. 'It is very evident
continued Mr.. Murray. waving his hands 10
silence, that we are without a speaker a
this moment, and that there is a majorit
here, and therefore move that Hon. Mr.
Allen be made speaker pro TEN of thi
house"
Amid great confusion, Mr.. Murray pu
the motion and declared It carried. Mr.
Allen was hurried TO the chair. escorted b.
Beitler, Trautman. Christian. Tice an
others.
Speaker Miller had carried the gavel L
his room and there was a mOmentary EN-
barrassment, owing to the absence Of thi
emblem OF authority Mr.. schlaSenhaui
however rose to the emergency an
brought up the rung OF a disabled chair an
handed Il TO Mr.. Allen.
The speaker was surrounded by a iarg
number OF members, both democrats an
republicans. He at once made an attem1
10 restore order and requested the mem
bers TO resume their seats
Refuse senate's Message.
In the midst OF the uproar a messag
from the senate was received and befor
the clerk knew just what was the matte
he had read the message. II was impossibI
10 hear him and some organization ma
Continued on Fourth PaRel