Norwich bulletin., 1909-08-06

excitement such as have not been wit
messed before this session, and afte
the floor had been ordered cleared o
spectators, the house shortly before
O'Clock this afternoon defeated thI
Chandler draft of the public utilities
bill by vote of l05 to 103. This draf
had been offered as an amendment t
the Barnum bill which, had passed the
senate, and was to replace the Bar
mum draft after the enacting clause.
Surprise for Minority Report Advo-
Gates.
The result Games as a tremendous
surprise to the advocates of the mi
nority report, for when the debate
opened in the morning there seemed
to be a likelihood of fair sized ma
Jority for the minority report Dur
ing the debate, however, it was evil
dent that many members who had CIV
en- their promise to vote for the Chan
dler draft, began to notify the leaders
of that faction that they had changed
their minds and intended to vote foI
the Barnum draft. When recess was
taken reports were current in the lob
by that votes were changing on all
sides, and the great activity of legisla-
tive agents of corporations became so
evident as to create a great stir.
Shortly after 4 O'clock Representa-
tive Wilton Of New London moved the
previous question, and Representative
Scott, the house chairman of the spe-
cial committee, had the last word to
say on the matter, defending himself
and the committee and the Barnum
draft from the attacks which had been
made. In ordering the roll call, which
was upon the motion of Representa-
tive Dunn Willimantic, Speaker
Banks stated that he had exercised
his right Of recognizing those who
wished to speak upon the question,
and that he had tried to give all an
opportunity. He had recognized for a
second time Representative Higgins
of Winchester by reason of courtesy
10 the leader of the minority, had rec
ognized Mr.. Wilton to move the pre-
vious question as the leader on the
minority report, and had recognized
Representative Scott a second time by
teason of his committee position.
Speaker Warns Lobbyists.
The taking of the vote began and
1t had not proceeded far before Mr..
johnson of Newton protested against
Lobbyists, as he declared them to
be, circulating among the members.
The speaker declared. Mr.. johnson out
of order and as Mr.. Johnson persisted
in talking and protesting, the speaker
raped sharply with his gavel and or
dsred the representative to sit down.
Then Mr. Forster Of Vernon got up,
and, being recognized asked the
speaker to enforce the rules and stop
outsiders from interfering with mem
bers. Said Mr. Forster: There are
lobbyists over there in the corner who
are interfering with members and with
their voting. / want the speaker to
clear the floor" The speaker warned
everybody and asked Mr.. Forster if he
were willing that the simple warning
would suffice. Mr.. Forster said that
he wanted the lobbyists to keep their
places and let members alone.
The speaker said that the house
rules must be obeyed or else he would
order the floor cleared. The roll call
was called. When it was finished Mr..
Chandler rose to. protest against law
yers, lobbyists and outsiders interfer-
Ing and Mr. Forster being again rec
bgnized, he insisted that the floor be
cleared.
. Ordered Chamber Cleared.
Speaker Banks ordered the chamber
cleared and fully a score of corpora
tion attorneys, and twoscore or more
of other men left seats in the far
corners and from among the members.
The speaker gallantly exempted the
ladies who were in the audience from
his order.
The roll call was completed and un-
officially it showed that the Chandler
amendment had been carried by about
106 to 101.
Then member came in from the
corridors and said he wanted to vote
mo" He did so and the vote stood
1p5 to 102. They Mr.. Hasting of Wind
sor, Mr.. Williams of Barkhamstead
and Mr.. Helm OF East Windsor chang
ed from yes to no. Mr. Burke of Man
chester was excused from voting, as
he had paired with an Ansonia man,
and this took, another away from the
yea column.
Chandler Amendment Lost, 105 to 1903.
The speaker ordered a verifcation
OF the roll, and the final announce
ment was that the Chandler amend
ment had been lost, los to 103.
One incident of the voting was that
Representative Marsden of Madison.
who had made the motion to substi-
tute the minority report for that of
the majority report, was not present
TO vote.
Some of the minority report support
ers had been anxious to have a vote
taken before recess, when it seemed
likely to them that the Chandler
draft would go through. After the
announCemenL Oh Lne vote Ilere was
much excitement and it was openly
charged that the lobbyists had Mad a
hand in the result. 1t was even claim
ed that some members were called
out of the chahmber during the vot-
ing. With victory seemingly in his
reach, Representative Scott asked for
acceptance of the committees report
and passage Of the Barnum bill. Rep
resentative Wilton objected, as he had
amendments to offer, and a vote not
being pressed adjournment was taken
until Tuesday with the matter still in
the air.
1t is predicted that the Barnum
draft cannot pass the house, as so
many members are opposed to it. 1t
IS claimed that opponents of the
Chandler draft got promises of votes
simply on the proposition to defeat
the minority report and without ask
ing for pledges for support of the Bar
mum draft. 1t is arranged, 1t is claim
ed, that. on Tuesday the previous ques-
tiOn win be moved on the majority re-
port without further debate.
Vote by Counties.