Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-01-11
Senate and Assemb-
Iy Clash Over the
GaveI
Committee Named to
Canvass Vote on
Governor
Action Construed as
Advantage for the
Republicans

Denver, Jan. behind locked doors
and amid scenes of the greatest con-
fusion and excitement the Colorado
legislature yesterday passed a reso-
luton creating a committee of Is
members to canvass the votes cast for
governor at the last election, and sub
nit final report to the legislature not
later than o'clock Monday. The
committee is COMPOSED of five sena-
tors and ten representatives, the polit-
ical division being twelve republicans
and three democrats. 1t organized
yesterday afternoon by the election Of
Senator Cornforth of Colorado Springs
as chairman and will commence the
hearing Of evidence today.
Scrap Over GaveL
Trouble began with the first second
of the joint session and continued I'm.
I'll it closed. 1t was understood that
there would be a conflict over the re-
spectiye rights OF Speaker Dickson
and Lieut.. Gov, Haggott to preside
over the Joint session. The speaker
based his opinion of his right to pre-
side upon the section Of the state con-
stitution which says that Immediately
upon the organization of the house
the speaker shall open and publish the
election returns in the presence of a
majority of both branches of the legis-
lature. Mr.. Haggott construed his
right to direct the proceedings upon
the statute which declares that in any
contested election the general assem-
bly, shall convene in joint session and
the president of the senate shall pre-
side unless he is a contestee. Legal
advice was given each gentleman that
his position was correct. When the
lieutenant governor mounted the ros-
trum Speaker Dickson was standing
in front of the center of his desk and
did not move. The lieutenant govern
or advanced, the two men smiled,
bowed, shook hands and then stood
gazing into each others eyes. Neither
made a move and their features har-
dened as they realized the situation.
Together they turned to face the as
sembly 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 a gentle "hunch" with his shout
der, as if to move him along. The
speaker was immovable. The gentle
"hunch" was repeated and still the
speaker held his ground and brought
down his gavel with a thump. He
called upon the clerk of the house to
call the roll and Mr.. Haggott gave the
senate clerk similar order.
Two Roll Calls at Once.
Both began to call their respective
rolls, while great confusion arose in
the house. Members laughed, cheered
and shouted while Representative
Street, democrat, gave vent to the
cowboy yell of "Yyyp! Yyyyp!
Yyyyp." A few names had been called
when Representative Freuen, wal
colt republican" sought recognition.
The speaker declared him out Of order,
but the lieutenant governor recognized
him and he proceeded to speak to his
point of order. which was that the
president of the senate was the proper
presiding officer. He was ordered by
the speaker to sit down, but the lieu
tenant governor ruled that Mr.. Freuen
had the floor. He moved adjournment,
which Mr. Haggott declared carried,
the speaker making an opposite ruling.
Senators Walk Out.
Mr.. Haggott and the senators imme-
dately left the chamber and the
speaker, declaring the joint convent m
still in session. assumed the chair.
When Lieut. Gov Haggott reached the
senate chamber he saw he was not fol
lowed by all the senators and directed
Sergeant-at-arms-B Berry of the senate
to arrest all the absent members. Mr..
Berry at once FASTENED to the house
and demanded admittance. He pushed
past the doorkeepeT and was looking
for senator's when Special officer Ster-
ling came up. Responding to his in
curry MIR. Berry said he was after
some senators. They had a brief scuf-
ae and Mr. Berry returned to the SEN
ate alone Several republican sena-
tors returned to the house and took
part in The proceedings held there I'M
i'll the final adjournment. The doors
were locked and no member was per-
mitted to pass out. Mr.. Freuen's
point OF order was ruled out and the
house sustained the ruling. A pro-
test from Governor Peabody was read.
Peabody Urges investigation.
It covered the history of the recent
election in Denver and urged - leg
islature 10 make an investigation. A
resolution for the appointment of an
Investigating committee was also pre-
scented. After another point Of order
by Mr. Freuiu had been ruled out
Representative Street moved adjourn
ment. This also was ruled cut. bue
Mr.. Street persisted and did rot sub
side until the speaker ordered him re
moved. The order, however, was not
carried out The resolution for the
appointment Ofacommittee was passed
and the joint session dissolved.
May Prevent Quorum.
Lept. Gov. Haggott and his follow