Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-03
MUCH TALK SAVES
BURWELL REPORT
Effort to Reconsider Senate Dis
missal of s. G. McLendon Is
Blocked by Those Who Voted
for Resolution.

Had 1t not been for a neatly executed
filibuster on the part OF those who
voted in the senate for the dismissal
of S. G. McLendon, the chances are
that a motion Of Senator Longley to
reconsider the action of the senate in
adopting the Burwell report would have
been adopted Monday morning.
The McLendon case took a brand new
turn Immediately after the roll call.
when Senator LongIey gave notice of
a motion to reconsider action on the
Burwell report. After reading of the
journal Senator Day asked that the
record be so amended as to allow SEN
ator Galloway. of the Twenty-ninth. to
give his reasons for voting for the dis
missal of Mr.. McLendon, whether 1t was
on the governors message or the bond
deal. The purpose OF this move on the
part Of Mr.. McLendon's friends was
manifestly to give the deposed commits
sioner possible grounds for a bill Of
exceptions should his case be taken to
the courts.
A TWO-HOUR DEBATE.
Debate on amending the journal con-
sumed almost two hours and half and
was brought to a close by the hour OF
adjournment arriving.
Four senators who had voted for the
dismissal Of Mr.. McLendon were absent,
and a flibuster was instituted to delay
matters until they could get to the city.
Senators Burwen, Perry and Wamble
were the principals In the diliatory
tactics which finally caused the debate
on the amending of the journal to go
over until Tuesday.
SENATE JOURNAL DISCUSSED.
Senator Day Of Forty-f1rst, after the
reading of the journal Monday, stated
that he desired it corrected so that 1t
would show on what grounds the sena-
tors voted to dismiss S. G. McLendon
from the office OF railroad commits
sioner.
Senator Burwell moved the journal
be adopted. Senator Longley moved a
substitute that the journal be amend
ed so as to state on what grounds
Senator Galloway of the Twenty-ninth
voted.
Senator Burwell objected. He said
the function of the journal simply was
to give what action the seante had
taken on any given subject-not to
inquire into the motives Of the sena-
tors in voting. 1t was a matter Of
individual conscience with the senators,
ne thought.
Senator Longley did not think any
senator on the floor would object to
having the reasons for his vote being
put down
''I ask the senator from Twentieth if
he objects to the people of Georgia
knowing why he voted to dismiss Mr..
McLendon. There were two separate
and distinct ppropositions-one to sus-
tain the governor and the other to sus-
tain the general assembly. There is an
important legal point involved in this
case. The governor was not sustained.
THE VOTE IS QUESTIONED.
He did not get % votes and you
(speaking to Senator Burwel) know he
did not.
Senator Jackson said Senator Longley
had put himself in a hole and was try
ing to kick out. He thought the propo-
sition was one of the most absurd he had
ever heard of coming from a supposedly
sensible man. It was simply a question
of whether the senate should stand by its
record.
Suppose you fill the journal with the
reasons for every mans vote what sort
of mess of a record will you have?''
Senator Jackson referred sarcastically
to the Republicanism OF Senator Day.
The latter said he was as loyal state
Democrat as any man on the floor.
Senator Jackson asserted that the sus-
tanning or demonstrating OF Governor
Smith was outside OF the question. Gov
ernor Smith had nothing to do with the