The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-24
Final Victory Is Won In Sen- ate on Locke Bill Byvey
 Narrow Margin
SICK MAN BROUGHT IN
 10 DECIDE THE MEASURE
Two Newspaper Reporters Make a Chase of 90 Miles In an Automo- bile To Bring In Man Who
 Missed the Train.

Baton Rouge, La, June 23.-After campaign lasting several months the close of which was marked by a bitter fight. the so-called Locke anti-racing bill was this afternoon passed by the Louisiana state senate. The bill passed the house several weeks ago and now only requires the signature of the governor to become a law. There appears no doubt that Gov ernor Sanders will sign the bill imme- diately.
 The bill passed by a vote of 21 to 19. It required 21 votes to get through the senate and the last 24 hours before it's passage were marked by desperate and finally successful effort to muster the necessary strength. One senator was found suffering from some form of poi soning and another who had committed himself in favor of the bill did not show up. Several physicians were put to work on the ailing member and two New Or leans reporters were sent scurrying in a high-power automobile through the Louis lana marshes on a 90-mile trip after the one that was absent. Both of these sen ators were finally gotten on the floor and added to the 19 already present made the 21 votes necessary to carry the bill through.
 For an hour or more prior to the final passage of the bill lively and some what bitter debate was indulged in by the members of the body. Senator Labbe charged that the racing faction had used ''knock-out drops"' to keep senators away from their sworn duty and charges and counter charges followed. The passage of the bill was greeted with a storm of ap- plause.
 Charges Explained.
 The senator whose illness caused the charges of poisoning to be made was J. s. Smart of DeSoto parish. After Senator Labbe's statement about knockout drops had been made, Senator Smart, despite his weakness, addressed the senate, say ing that there was absolutely no founda- tion for the reports that poison had caused his attack He said he was sub feet to such attacks. Senator Labbe then explained that his charge as to knock out drops had not referred to Dr. Smart in particular and that 1t was not to be interpreted literally. He spoke, he said, in figurative sense, intending to show the sort of methods the racing interests had used.
 Senator Settoon of Livingston parish, the absentee who was searched for with an automobile, was delayed on account of change in train schedules. When he missed the train on which he had in tended to come to Baton Rouge yesterday he had to wait "A hours for another train.
 With the exception of one vacancy due to death the full membership of the sen- ate was present when the vote was taken. One vote gained by the race track in terests or even the failure of one of the Locke bill supporters to vote would have defeated the bill. The tension was, there fore extreme as the roll was called. Twice the name of a senator whose action had been reported doubtful was called, and each time that senator voted against the bill. These two senators were T.. J. Davis of Vernon parish and H. c. Drew of Calcaseu Their votes against the bill left the measure on the verge of defeat as the roll progressed. Then the name of Smart, one of the storm centers of the days debate was called. III and scarcely able to remain in his seat, hIs presence recalled vividly the recent roll call on racing in New York. Though weak of voice. his "aye" penetrated the chamber