The state herald., 1913-01-24
WYOMING SOLONS
IN A FIST FIGHT
TROUBLE FOLLOWS NAMING OF
RULES AND ELECTION CON-
MlTTEES BY PRATT.
SPEAKER NAMES SELF
RiOTlNG FOLLOWS CLASH OF AU-
THORITY IN LOWER BRANCH
OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jan. 20.-
Scenes OF wild disorder occurred
on the floor of the lower branch
of the Legislature Monday morning
when Speaker Martin l.. Pratt and
Speaker pro tempore w. j. Wood
engaged in two separate fist-fights,
during which Speaker Pratt threw
Wood from the speakers platform.
So great was the disorder and so
apparently impossible the task of
quelling the disturbance that Speaker
Pratt sent request to the governor
to aid in the restoration of order even
if 1t became necessary to call out the
militia to do SO.
The governor refused to intercede.
At last, after more than an hour of
conditions bordering on riot. cool
headed floor leaders of both parties
agreed to adjourn until 2 o'clock.
Speaker pro tempore Wood put the
question, and declared II carried. This
precipitated further trouble. but the
sergeant-at-arms and his assistants
finally cleared the House of all save
members, a majority of whom left
the chamber to continue their argu-
ments and personal quarrels outside.
Speaker Pratt's announcement OF
committees at convenlng Of the House
caused the disturbance. The speaker,
who holds the balance of power in the
Legislature by reason of tie be-
tween the Democrats and Republicans
on the question OF senatorial success
sion, announced the appointment of
three Republicans and three Demo
Gratis. with himself as chairman, on
the rules committee, and an equal
number of Republicans and Demo
Gratis with himself as chairman, on
the elections committee.
these committees were not satisfac.
tory to the Democrats, who previously
had been defeated on their motion to
refer the contests of five representa-.
tiyes' seats to special committee OF
elections, named by themselves. and
Judge Metz of Sheridan. Democratic
floor leader of the House. moved for
the adoption of substitute committees.
Speaker Pratt announced that the
House could not do this; that the only
method OF procedure was to change
the committees one by one.
Seeing that the Metz motion must
be disposed of. Speaker Pratt called
Representative Hunter of Carbon
county. n Republican. and surrendered
the gayel to him.
Instantly the House was in an up.
roar, the Democrats claiming that only
Speaker pro. tempore Wood could be
called to the choir in such an emer-
gency. and the Republicans Just as
vociferously upholding the choice of
Hunter.
The parliamentary rule, that only
the speaker pro tempore could take
the chair unless the House was IN
committee of the whole. was brought
to bear, and Hunter agreed TO surren.
der the gayel, whereupon Wood rushed
TO the speakers platform. seized the
gayel and called for roll call upon
the Metz motion.
Speaker Pratt. declaring an attempt
TO use the steamroller would result,
became enraged. rushed to the chair
and ordered Wood to vacate.
Wood refused. and Speaker Pratt
graspcd him about the body. tussled
with him n few moments, and then,
before other members could reach the
platform. hurled Wood from the chair
against the wall and thence to the
floor OF the House.
Upon convening at O'Clock the
lower branch OF the Legislature was
called to order by Speaker Pratt with
out protest, and thus repetition Of
the riotous scenes OF the morning ses
sion was ayerted. This leaves the sit
uation. with reference to the confirm
alton OF Pratts committees. still un
settled.