The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-05-01
IN HOT FIST FIGHT. q. /
a Very Disgraceful Affair In tho
Illinois Legislature.
wHIRLwIND OF WILD DISORDER

wHIRLwIND OF WILD DISORDER
Grew Out OF tho Municipal Owne r.
ship Fight, Chairs ana Desks
Completely Wrecked in
the Melee.
At Springfield, ILL.,, slugging aud
rolling over across each other across
the speakers platform in frenzied
general fight, at the feet of score of
female guests, the members OF the
Illinois legislature Thursday surpass-
ed the widest scenes of the Austrian
reichsrath. Charges by the speaker
Of the house, Isaac Miller, that at
tempts had been made to brlbc him
were formally made as an explana tion
Of the extraordinary actions OH his
part, which prccipitated the riot.
The intericr Of the Legislative cham
Der resemhled, In a measure, the trace
ola tornado, SO general was the wreck
age Of ;!iairs and desks.
Chicago street railway franchises,
more valuable than gold mines, were
directly at stake, federal court receiv-
ership proceedings against the Union
Traction company Of Chicago having
brought the matter to Il sudden issue.
The stOrmieSt time ever experience
ed In the Illinois legislature began al
most without warning, in whirlwind
of wild disorder, which arose Thurs
day In the house of representatives
over rival traction measures, or So
called municipal ownership bills.
Adhercnts or the Mueller bill, indig-
nant at Speaker Miller's ruling in
favor Of Lindley bill, attempted to
pull the speaker from his char. The
speaker raised his voice above the
| turmoil and declared the house ad-
journed. Thereupon Representative
Murray, q Mueller bill man, called for
the election Of a speaker pro temporc.
Chas Allen Of Vermiliion was selected,
but had difficulty In forcing his way
to the speakers chair. The aisles
were thronged with crowd so excit-
ed that 1T was almost u mob. Even
tually he made the passage and Henry
Beitler was made clerk 1t was found
exceedingly difficult, however, to ,ac-
colnpliSh business.
During roll calls on amendments to
the Lindley bill nearly half the mem
bers OF the house stood on their desks,
| shouting 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 Demucratic side. was Wig
orously welding board.
Personal violence against the speak
er was threatened A number Of Ia
dies we're sitting on the couch on the
speakers desk.
VIII the ladies please move from
behind?" shouted Mr.. Allen.
Get them out" shouted Mr.. Shcr-
man, get the ladies out. Do not act
the coward"
y fight broke out on the Dcmocra-
tic Side, few feet from the speaker.
Werdell (Dem.), and Glade (Rcpt.
were the central figures, but eight or
ten other mcmbcrs-in fact almost
everybody in their Immediate vicinity
appeared to be taking a hand In the
melee, in evident endcavor to separate
i the two combatants. 1t afterwards
developed that Werdcll had started
for the speaker with menacing air
and that Glade had seized him, thus
prccipitating the encounter.
The municipal ownership fight now
in progress is the most exciting which
the State capitol has witnessed in
many years. Chicago sentiment is
said to favor the Mueller, and Ma yor
Harrison and Others Of influence have
been here several days working for it,.
The Lindley bill, the municipal owner
ship measure favored by an ac-
| tive minority, has, however, been
forced ahead. Thursday the speaker
refused a roll call on motion to post
pone consideration OF the Lindley bill,
although q majority Of the house de-
manded the roll call The postpone
mcnt motion was declared carried,
ami the protests Of tho majority. 70
day Speaker Miller ordered the Lind
ley measure advanced to third read
ing In the tumult Of voices rose In op-
position, during which the attempt
was made to pull the speaker from his
chair. After Speaker Miller declared
the house adjourned the newly or
ganized house recalled The bill from
third reading and proceeded, section
by section to substitute the Mueller
bill for It, The time then ar
rived for the regular afternoon
session and Speaker Miller resumed
the chair without opposition. Con
siderable confusion attended at
tcmpts to transact business and Il
recess was taken until evening.
1t the night session Speaker Miller
said his action In refusing 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
1t he washed his hands OF the entire
matter and would permit roll call.
An agreement WAS reached for re-
consideration OF the Llndley bill and
the house adjourned until Friday.
The iowa Disabled.
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