The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1911-05-26
CAUCUS DECIDES
AGAINST DRASTIC
MOVE OF REGULARS
WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO ARREST
ABSENT MEMBERS OF
LEGISLATURE.
OPINION OF JOHN ]. Y R1RrES
Thinks That They Have a Rish, 10
Do So, But Majority Takes Position
That II Would Be an Un~ise Poll
cy-Their Resolution.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, May 25.-Af.
ter two days Of wrangling over the
proposition Of arresting the runaway
members OF the house, and after a
two and one-half hours session last
night the caucus Of the regulars
came to he conclusion that no at
tempt would be made to arrest the
filibusters, but that the enforcement
of their attendance should be LETT to
the people Of Tennessee.
The members Of the caucus haf be-
fore them the opinion Of Hon. John
j. Vertrees on the subject in which
he held that he house had the un-
doubted right to force the attendance
Of its absentees when q quorum vas
involved, but those taking the stand
that it was an unwise policy ID use
force, finally gained the day and won
last nights fight by vote of 20 TO
Z, this indicating about the number
OF regulars and recruits that wen. i'll
to the meeting held in he Senate cha N.
Der from $3.50 to II o'clock
In the discussion Of the subject to
arrest the members Senator Cox read
an excerpt from the paper in which
|it was SET out that any attempt to
corral the members by force would
be met by force; thus was emphasiz-
ed the rumor extant for several days
that the militia of the Safe wouli be
employed to protect the members
who are remaining away If any at.
tempt was made to drag them into
the house so that the election law
might be passed over the OF Governor
Hooper.
The action OF the caucus in voting
to continue the long distance contest
carries with it stand pat policy in
regard to the election muddle, and II
means, the regulars say. that there
will be no backdown On the pending
measure 1t is taken for granted by
this that the possible loss by the
regulars of Representative Brown
does not mean that the hope Of pass
ing the bill is lost, for there are
enough votes without his to pass it
over the veto of the Governor, If the
Others remain steadfast-
At the caucus last night it was de-
cided to extend q vote Of thanks to
Mr. Vertrees for his opinion in advis-
ing the members of the caucus that
they could undoubtedly arrest the
runaways.
Be it resolved By the caucus, That
it continue our purpose to adjourn
the regular session of the general as
sembly from day to day for two years
or until quorum is restored; It is
our position. further. that those mem
bers who are vtlfuIIy absenting them
selves were elected as we were and
owe the same duty to the State; and,
Notwithstanding it is within our pow
er to arrest them, we will not at this
time resort to force to compel their
attendance, but will at all times hold
ourselves in readiness for the bust
ness of the session and leave to the
people Of the State the forcing of
these men to their seats.
The caucus adjourned subject to
the call OF the steering committee
Practically all Of the West Tennessee
members Of the general assembly
who attended the caucus made bur
RED run to catch the 1130 Memphis
train, and this morning will witness
the daily grind with a handful In at
tendance in each house.
@~-rHr rsnxv~wy 49,