The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-01-07
IOTOUS SCENES AT
COLOR ADO CAPITAL
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
IN BITTER CLASH.
LIVELY TIMES IN COLORADO
LEGISLATURE AT JOINT
SESSION.

Colorado Legislature yesterday pass
ed a resolution creating committee
K OF fifteen members to canvass the
vote for governor at the last election,
and submit a final report to the Leg
fslafMre not later than 2 o'clock on
the afternoon of next Monday. The
committee is composed of five Sena-
tors and ten Representatives, the po-
Iffical division being twelve Republi-
cans and three Democrats. 1t organ
ixed yesterday afternoon by the elec-
zion OF Senator Arthur Cornforth, of
Colorado Springs, as chairman, and
VII commence the hearing of eyi-
5dence to-day.
The trouble began with the first
second of the joint session, and con-
1fnued until its close. 1t was under
stood that there would be conflict
over the respective rights of Speaker
Dickson and Lieut. Gov. Haggott to
preside over the joint session. The
10 preside upon section of the State
constitution which says that immedi-
Afely upon organization of the House
the speager shall open and publish
dfae election returns in the presence
8 @of majority of both branches of the
legislature.
Lieut.. Gov. Haggott construed his
right TO direct the proceedings upon
statute which declares that in. con
incting any contested election the,
General Assembly shall convene in;
lrint session and that the president
ar the senate shall preside unless he
rs the contestee.
Both Presided.
Legal advice was given to each
gentleman that his position was cor
rect Lieut.. Gov. Haggott was assur-
ed that the wording OF the statute
amply covered the case. Speaker
Dickson was advised by his attorneys
that the occasion was not officially
known to be a contest and that a pro-
vision of the constitution always
Gyerrides a statute when the two are
IN conflict When the lieutenant gov
srnor mounted the rostrnm, Speaker
Dickson was standing in front of the
center of his desk and did not move.
The lieutenant governor advanced,
the two men smiled, bowed, shook
each others eyes. Neither made a
move, and their features hardened as
they realized the situation. Togeth-
er they turned to face the assembly,
the Speaker behind the center of the
desk, the lieutenant governor at his
left hand Gently edging up to the.
Speaker, Lieut.. Gov. Haggott gave
him gentle -'hunch'' with his shoul-
der as if to move him along. The
Speaker was tmmoyable. The gentle
@hnnch', was repeated and still the
Speaker held his ground and brought
down the gavel with thump.
The clerk of the House will call
the roll, he said.
-The clerk of the Senate will call
the roll said the lieutenant govern
Clerk Harper, of the House and
Secretary Farwen, of the Senate, be-
gan to call their respective rolls.
while great confusion arose IN the
HOUSE Members laughed, cheered
and shouted, while Representative
Steel. a Democrat, gave vent to the
cowboy yell of 'Yip, Yip, Yipi'
a few names had been called when
Representative Frewen, a "wolcott
Republican" shouted:
Mr.. Chairman
Conflict of Authority.
Mr.. Frewen," responded the lieu
tenant governor.
You aresout of order, Mr.. Frewen."
shouted the Speaker.
You have the floor, Mr.. Frewen,"
said ehe lieutenant governor.
Bang, bang, . went the Speakers
gavel
Boom. boom, went the gavel of
the lieutenant governor
sIr Frewen accepted the ruling of
the man who gave him what he want
I'd. and commenced to speak to a
point Of order, which was that the
president of the Senate was the prop
er presiding officer at a Joint session.
You are out of order; sit down!'
commanded the Speaker
You have the floor, said the lieu