Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-04-25

Tspscnl Dispatch 10 the Morning Journal
Santa Fe, n. NJ. April 24.-Without
hearing Il word of evidence, as to his
right to retain his seat, without haV-
ing any report from the committee on
privileges and elections, to which the
case had been referred without any
hearing ever having been had before
that committee on the merits of the
case, and without the man whose in
terests were involved having had any
opportunity to present TO that COM
mittee a plea in his own behalf, the
senate today by vote of to 3, de-
elared Abelino Romero, of Spcorro
county, not to be entitled to his seat
in the senate, and seated his contest
ing opponent, Aniceto G. Abeytia. In
order TO accomplish this result it was
necessary TO put through Il gag
rule limiting debate to three minutes.
The final vote came at the end OF
day filled with dramatic incidents.
No intimation had been given that
any action would be taken on any
contested election case. Just prior to
the meeting Of the senate this after
noon. a caucus of the republican
members of that body was held, ana
as the fifteen men flied into the cham
Der from the committee room, min
ute or two before O'Clock, ii was
evident that something was in the
air.
After few routine matters had
been disposed Of a resolution was sent
10 the clerks desk by Senator Miera,
providing in effect that the seat OF
senator Romero, of Socorro, be de-
elared vacant and that Aniceto {.
Abeyiia was entitled to be seated The |
resolution came as complete sur
PRISE, but the minority was soon unit
ed and a determined filibuster was 7
at once Instituted to prevent the con- /
AIerauon Of the resolution.
Senator Barth was first on his feet. /
out before he had had time to pro- !
coed far in his remarks, Senator Holt, (
'he republican floor leader. had re-
ported privileged resolution from the
committee on rules amending Senate /
hule I5, 50 as to provide that in con-
tested election cases. the debate should
oe limited TO sixty minutes and that
no senator should be allowed to speak
ior more than three minutes.
Every expedient known TO parlia-
,nohtary procedure was resorted to by
'ne minority to prevent the adoption
% This rule. Led by Senators Walton,
nlhkie. Barth. Mabry and Evans,
munster. The like of which has rarely
veen seen in legislative assembly in
Ne" Mexico. was carried on. But il y
vas useless. With brutal calmness. the
alority refused to participate in any
'eodte' shut OFF debate wherever ii
vas possible and cast a solid vote OF
'uiteen in opposition to every move
neht made by the minority. II
IN every roll call. except the last
tNo' the vote stood fourteen To- ten.
~ me last two votes. which directly
, ,''.erted the right OF the contesfec a.
''u MS seat, Senator Romero did not {
- and the final count stood against
NM IL to p.
senator Mccoy. Of Torrance county.
!, = TIE only republican 10 kick over
'e Traces. Throughout all the vDi-
ne was with the minority, and in
'''Aihing his vote on the final ma
- =" adopt the resolution. he gav"
p reason Tor voting in the ncri-
'hat there was no evidence hefose
senate showing that senator Ro- \
vas not entitled 10 his seat.
- merits of the case never were AZ
of"nsht into discussion. The a