The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-05-19
THE LIE IS PASSED
STORMY SCENE IN THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURES.
Representative McWiiliams Charges
that Caucus Exists to XIII Mems
ures Introduced by Certain Menu
hers Against Administration.

Tallahassee, Fla, May 1s.-tSpecial.--
Charging that the House of Represen-
tatives was divided against itself and
that partisan caucus was nightly in
session for. the purpose Of defeating
the measures offered or espoused by
certain members, Representative Nc
Williams this morning created the first
real sensation of the session and in
the excitement that followed, the "lie"
was hurled about the hall with vigor
that at the time promised future
trouble.
The excitement grew out of the de-
bate on a bill to amend the statute re-
lating to State printing. The bill seeks
to amend the law SO that anybody may
bid on the State printing by depositing
a certified check of $3.50. A
The bill had its origin in the Sem
ate and was rushed drought that
body without debate. When Ii came
up special order this morning, Mr..
Kirkland moved it's indefinite post
ponement and Representative Wells
opposed the motion declaring that
under the present system but a few
who were bidders could compete be-
cause they were required to deposit
with the Board of State Institutions
certified check for s12,500.
Mr.. Wells cited that there were but
two bidders when the last contract
was let and as only one complied with
the requirement in depositing the
check, the lower bid was rejected and
the State was paying more for print
ing than might be the case il the
doors were thrown open to every
printer in the State.
Mr.. Kirkland here made the point
that not more than one or two houses
in the State were prepared to do the
State printing and 1t was not desir-
he "
who could make and give check for
$3.50.
Furthermore, 1t was not desired to
have the printing done picemeal at
different places, that the proper place
for the State printing was at ITALIA
hassee and the contract should be let
to cover all and not job lots.
It was at this Juncture, that Mr..
Mcwilliams precipitated the bomb that
set the floor flutter Addressing the
speaker in an excited pitch, he de-
clared that such a. condition as now
existed in the house has never been
seen in the Florida legislature before.
Here we have the spectacle of a ma
jority of the house caucusing every
night in a room over the city market,
caucusing not against measures, but
against men and l am reliably inform
ed that 1t Is the avowed purpose OF
this before day club to vote down any
measure presented or espoused in the
house by myself or Representatives
Watson, Griggs, Wartmann or Clarke.
I say Mr. Speaker, that this condi-
ton is L,neard of. and IL 1t is to con.
tinue, i don't see why we should not
adjourn to the city market and hold
the session there.
Several members arose in their seats
to point of order. and Speaker Mat
thews warned the gentleman from st.
III, lAk I. araA h lie
marks to the question before the house.
And so 1 will. Mr.. Speaker" continued
McWilliams What ! have said in pre-
face IL germane to the question before
the house. 1 am told, sir. that this
Before-Day Club held a caucus on this
bill and put the stamp OF their disap-
prevail on 1t because 1t was espoused
by men who are on the blacklist of this
club"
Mr.. Harvell of Santa Rosa here In
jected the remark that any such report
as that referred to by the gentleman
from St. Johns was diabolical false
hood. IT am a member Of this PetHro
Day Club said he. land this bill has
never been before us.
ct should hate to think, SIR" said NC
williams. that such a condition as 1
have described could exist In this Leg
lslature. / don't want to believe 1t, but
1t is a common rumor." AS the ST.
Johns Representative proceeded, sever
al attempts were made to interrupt him.
At the conclusion of the TRADE by
Mcwilliams, Mr.. Farris in reply stated
that 1t was true that the caucus had
been organized to consider measures
before the House. 1T is true. sir. that
we meet every night, to consider these
measures. 1t is true that purpose
of our organization is to kill vicious
and malicious legislation that comes
before this House, and 1t is true that
we are going to continue to make that
effort as long as such legislation is
introduced here. We are organized In
the interest of the people against this
class of legislation, but men have
never had part in our discussions.
am. sir, proud to own that I am mem
her of this Before Day Club, and j
brand any man as a malicious and I'M