Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-02
JOINT COMMITTEE
TO INVESTIGATE THE
M'LENDON CASE
Continued from Page One

q
defined by the constitution
! Mr. McElreath: Some Of them are"
Mr.. Hall: Has the governor any other
duties than those?''
Mr.. McElreath: "Yes. he has. There is
where great deal of misunderstanding
comes in. We delegated to the governor
! our right to suspend He was as I said,
acting as our attorney in fact. and not as
the governor Of Georgia, except as he oc-
: cupies the office OF governor"
Mr.. McElreath closed by advocating
/ strongly the joint committee Idea by
! means of which witnesses could finish
their evidence in one examination instead
OF the two that would be necessary If
both houses act separately.
Mr.. Vincon OF Baldwin opposed the
joint committee and criticised the senate
resolution to that effect; II was adroit-
/ ~ worded that no definite time is set
/ forth in IL when the joint committee shall
report.
Mr.. Sheppard of Sumter defended the
right Of the governor to suspend a public
officer.
AN UNDOUBTED RIGHT.
1T cannot be questioned for moment
but what the legislature had ample power
10 delegate to the governor the right to
suspend Mr.. McLendon.''
Mr.. Beacham of Dooly obtaining unani-
mouse consent to record his vote on the
question, and make his departure for
home where one of his children was seri-
/ ously I'll, voted in favor of the Anderson
! substitute Chouse committee of 25) and
| against the senate resolution and the
Hardeman joint resolution for a joint
committee.
Mr.. Middlebrooks Of Newton was rec
I ognized. He read the constitutional sec
tion that creates the railroad commission.
''As far as I am concerned, I am ready
- -f--
Mr.. MiddIebrooks. lighting to keep. the
matter in the house alone. II don't want
to take this matter out of the hands OF
the house.
IF they say that the governors action
was illegal. then this legislature has moth
ing to do with It. Let them go into the
law courts with Il.
keep this matter out OF the joint COM
mittee."
Mr.. Anderson of Chatham, recognized,
said that the question was not whether
the governor had any right to suspend.
| 1T is enough for me to know that he did
IT. am not a political enemy of the late
governor. and never have been and don't
propose to make myself so at this late
day. 1 disagree with him on some points,
but agree with him on others II had
had my way, this corporation regulation
bill would have been broader even than
| It was.
II am not concerning myself with
whether Mr.. AI~Lendon gets back into Of
fee , not. But this house should take
some action at once. because unless il
! does, your railroad commission must 20
along without head for fifty days, tin
we adjourn without acting. In the inter-
ests OF the people OF Georgia we should
act.
I Every man in this house has made
up his mind Now. he is ready to vote
today"
Mr.. Anderson argued that the house
could increase the powers OF the house
committee. that this substitute called
for. as IL might see Mt
Mr.. Hardeman OF Jefferson, maker
Of the resolution that stood as tho
main question before the house, was
, recognized.
1T is not a question OF impeach-
ment II is a question OF proceeding
under the statute Of Georgia. which
& says that the legislature shall approve
or disapprove the action of the gov
ernor."
D.! Mr. Hardeman resented the imputa-
tiOn voiced against the house by some
f. OF its members. that the matter goins
TO a joint committee. would stay .lere
i Has the time come in Georgia
when the representatives of the people
can't be trusted to take a matter out
i na% 0r'ns PACK "''n0O' pigeon hOlins
Messrs. Adams and Carter of Hall,
obtained unanimous consent to intro
juce bill. which proved to be a bill
TO amend legislation establishing a city
court In the county of Hall
j Mr.. Wright Of Floyd. obtaining unan-
imous consent, introduced a bill to es-
tablisn a legislative reference bureau
in the state library.
r Of 90.
amendment to the Anderson substitute.
providing that the committee (25 mem
bers of the house, may summon wit
nesses and documents.
I Mr.. Anderson of Chatham offered
a privileged resolution that the clerk
Of the house print the calendar of all
; pending measures on Friday, July ,,
and have the copies ready for dis
tribution on July s.
/ DEBATE Is STOPPED.
The previous question was called at
12:45 o'clock.
Mr.. Kidd of Baker. obtaining unan-
imous consent. introduced a bill amend
ing section 1856 of the code. and an
other amending section 1884.
i First the vote, aye and nay, was taken
on the Wright amendment, referring the
railroad security dealing charge against
Mr.. McLendon to the committee for in
lvestigation. Several members explained
their vote.
Mr.. Hall of Bibb delivered a passionate
treply TO the remarks of Mr.. Alexander OF
DeKaib anent his constitution reading
propensities, when he arose to explain his
aye vote
Il would commend the constitution to
the study OF the gentleman from De-
Kalb." he said in part, ''if thought It
would do any good, but I believe 1t is be-
yond his comprehension. In a town meet
ing the remarks of the gentleman from
DeKalb would have been appropriate. l
am used to II. But am surprised that
men who call themselves 'reformerS'
should assail a man for his devotion to
the fundamental law Of the stated II
20 me that xyhap c,,o4a -