The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-07
CANVASS OF VOTE Is LEFT
TO COMMITTEE OF FIFTEEN
Great Confusion Results When Two
Men Side BY Side Try to Conduct
Affairs of the Joint
Session.

Denver, Colo. January e.-Behind locked
doors and amid scenes of great confusie
and excitement, the Colorado legislatuA
today passed resolution creating COM
mittee of fifteen members to canvass the
vote cast for governor at the last cleo
tion and submit a final report to the
legislature not later than o'clock on the
afternoon of next Monday.
The committee is composed Of five SEN
ators and ten representatives, the politi-
cal division being twelve republicans and
three democrats. 1t organized this after
noon by the election of Senator Arthur
Conforth of Colorado Springs as chair
nan, and will commence the hearing of
evidence tomorrow.
The trouble began with the first sitting
of the joint session, and continued until
its close. 1t was understood that there
would be a conflict over the respective
rights of Speaker Dickson and Lieutenant
Governor Haggott to preside over the
joint session. The speaker based his opin-
ion of his right to preside on section
of the state constitution, which says that
Immediately on the organization Oh the
house, the speaker shall open and pub
lsh tn election returns In the presence OF
a majority of both branches of the legis-
lature.
Lieutenant Governor Haggott construed
his right to direct the proceedings on a
statute which declares that in conduct
ing any contested election, the general
assembly shall convene in joint session,
and that the president of the senate shall
preside unless he is the contestee.
Legal advice was given to each gentle-
n an that his position was correct.
Great Confusion Results.
At II o'clock this morning the legisla-
ture went into joint session. Confusion
at once result when Lieutenant Governor
Haggott, the presiding officer OF the
Senate, took his position beside tho
speaker to direct the joint session. Mr..
Dickson refused to give way
1.-The clerk of the House will call
said Speaker Dickson with a thump OF
his gavel
"The clerk of the Senate will call the
roll of the Senate said Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Haggott. Immediately the two
clerks commenced to call the rolls amid
great confusion. But few names had
been called when Representative Frewen
arose.
fTeWen, you ouL VI oANSN'
said the speaker.
MIR. Frewen, you have the floor re-
peated Lieutenant-G Governor Haggott.
Bang went the two gavels. The two
men stood side by side, behind the
speakers desk, both refusing to give
way.
The confusion was so great that no
voice could be heard, and although Mr..
Frewen continued to address the assem-
bly,, his voice was not distinguishable.
A motion to adjourn was made and
seconded. 1t came to vote, the ayes
and noes sounding in about equal volume.
1.-THE ayes have it, and the joint session
is dissolved" shouted Lieutenant Cover
nor Haggott
1.-The noes have 1t, and the mostion Is
lost" shouted Speaker Dickson.
Whack went the lieutena Governors
gavel "The assembly is dissolved, he
shouted.
1.-The assembly is not dissolved" called
the speaker.
II repeat that the session Is ended, and
the senators will reave the room" said
the lieutenant governor, and out filed the
senator's headed by the lieutenant COVER
nor amid great confusion.
Many of them did not leave the ROOM
but stood behind the seats of the repre-
sentatives watching the proceedings.
Speaker Dickson refused to recognize the
passing out of the senate and declared
that although the senators had left the
room the joint session was still in pro-
gresS.