Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-30
Entire Morning Session Consumed
in Speeches for and Against
Confirmation of Governor
Smiths Order.
SENTIMENT APPEARS
EVENLY DIVIDED UP
BETWEEN FACTIONS
Senators Matthews, Burwell,
Longley and Perry Speak to
observation-disclosures Session Is
Held Thursday.

Resuming argument of yesterday in the
substitute of Senators Matthews. Slater.
Gordy and Calhoun. which seeks to pre-
vent the dismissal of s. G. McLendon from
Office, the senate listened to arguments
from Senator'S Matthews, Burwell, Long
ley and Perry Debate lasted until
o'clock, when the time was extended to
allow the Introduction of new business.
Another session will be held between the
hours of O'CLOCK and o'clock but 1t
is scarcely probable any action will be
taken 1t looks as If the debate would
consume at least all of Friday.
Sentiment. so far as the debate was
I concerned, was evenly divided Senator
Matthews did not think the senate had
the right to dismiss Mr.. McLendon. He
contended that the facts concerning the
deposed railroad commissioners connec-
ton with the Athens bond deals should
never have been injected. He thought
this connection perfectly legal.
Senator Burwell thought the commits
sioner should be summarily dismissed. He
said the senate was as much disqualified
on impeachment proceedings as they were
to try the case now. He quoted from Sec
rotary OF State Harris testimony, in which
Mr. Hart had said McLendon was incom-
petent and could not render him certain
services or information.
Mr.. Longley favored dismissal in a
lengthy speech Senator Perry was in IA
vor of dismissal and spoke at some length.
Sentiment in the senate appears to be
about evenly divided.
DEBATE ON THE SUBSTITUTE.
Debate on the substitute to the Burwell
resolution was resumed at 1880 o'clock.
A NJ
for the adoption of the substitute, Of
which he was one of the authors. His at
titude. he stated, was not one of criti-
cjsm of Ex-Governor Smith, but he was
honestly OF the opinion that the senate
was not authorized to sanction the dis
missal of Mr.. McLendon under the speci-
(lcations laid down in Governor Smith )
message to the general assembly. He de-
voted a good share of his time to reading
and reviewing the testimony delivered
before the investigating committee. He
did not concede that the evidence showed
Mr.. McLendon had changed his views or
attitude since the adoption OF the Macon
platform, but even If such were the case
he thought II a bad idea for the rail-
road commission to dismiss an official who
had in the light OF later events arrived
at a different conclusion.
Senator Harrell asked Mr.. Matthews II,
as a matter of law, he thought that the
only method of removing railroad COM
missioner from office.
Senator Matthews replied that the sem
ate and the house had right to re-
move a commissioner If they saw At.
''Do YOU think" asked Senator Harrill,
''that the senate's action should be con-
fined solely by the reasons given by the
GOVERNOR"
The reply was that he did.
Senator Matthews did not think 1t rea-
sonabIe for the legislature to hold blud-
geon over the heads of men who had
been elected for their expert knowledge.
He did not think the law intended that
the legislature should have the right to
discharge railroad commissioners without
impeachment proceedings. He said he
was not partisan of Mr. McLendon. He
knew him but slightly. He was merely
prompted by a spirit of justice. He did
not say one word in regard to the Athens