Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-01
BATTLE IN HOUSE
ASSURED OVER
UNSEATING
Defeat Of Attempt to Gust Near
thur and Brown Presages
Stirring Fight tuesday,

Il became plain to-day that the ef-
fort to unseat Representatives Nc
Arthur. Of Wheeler. and Browning,
of Blecklcy, is 10 bring on to-mor-
row the first big spectacular fight Of
the session
Although tho special committee APP
pointed 10 investigate the titles Of
these two gentlemen reported unani-
mously against seating them, the
House failed TO adopt the report Of
the committee at ats session to-day,
but postponed action until tomorrow,
Immediately after reading the journal,
when the matter VIII come up as a
special order
on a motion to table. and thereby
kill the committee report to-day the
ayes were SO and the noes 80. there
by showing surprising strength
against the committee, considering
the nature Of the ballot.
The House. II heated discussion Of
the committee report in the hotel lob
bies and about the Capitol means
anything, viii not accept the com
mittee findings without a thorough
thrashiug out Of the entire matter on
the floor and in the open, and there
are those who are predicting that the
committee report is sure to be upset,
by a big majority, and the TWO ne"
members seated.
LAWYERS differ as to the constitu-
tional aspect of the question involved,
some holding that there is no ques-
ton OF the right Of Macarthur ana
Browning TO sit in the House, as both
are members de faCtO ana de Jure
Others think II is doubtful merely
W lille still others think there is alb
solutely no legal authority for seat
ing either man.
out Of these three shades Of opin-
ion. il is predicted that a majority in
favor of seating Macarthur and
Browning. the committee report to the
contrary Notwithstanding likely VIII
be secured, although there undoubt-
eddy will be a vigorous fight put up
against overturning the committee
report
House Sole Judge.
The House of Representatives is
the sole iudSe Of the qualifications
Of its membership. ANY legal ques-
ton that may arise out of their chal-
lengcd right to sit woult he a ques-
ton Tor the ftAl u W N'ANA' '''AA
tuallv. but once the House seats them
there viii be no further question Of
their rights to sit. so far as the House
itself Is concerned.
Both BleCkley and Wheeler Coup-
ties have delegations on hand plead
ing with the House membership that
their Representatives be not unseat-
ed. and the general impression IS that
there is a strong and powerful senu-
ment in .he House against unseating
them
The feeling is that the matter
should oe settled at once however, 4"
order that there may be no question
in the future as to the status OF the
House membership In its entirety
Powell in Strong Plea.
Judge Arthur Powell, a former
member of the Court of Appeals. made
strong argument before the COM
mittee on Monday favorable TO seat
ing Macarthur and Browning. but tho
committee. in executive session tor
several hours. overruled the Judge
All hearings on the floor Of the
| House will be held in the OPEN OF
! course. and when the question finally
| is settled the public will be in pos
session Of all arguments and evidence
| offered, one way or the other.