Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-02
BATTLE IN HOUSE
ASSURED OVER
UNSEATINC
Defeat Of Attempt to Gust Near
thur and Brown Presages
Stirring Fight tuesday.

II became plain to-day that the ef-
fort to unseat Representatives Nc
Arthur. Of Wheeler, and Browning,
Of Bleckley. is to bring on to-mor-
row the first big spectacular fight Of
the session.
Although the special committee ap-
pointed to investigate the titles Of
these two gentlemen reported unanl-
mously against seating them. the
House failed to adopt the report Of
the committee at its session to-day.
but postponed action until 10 morrow
Immediately after reading the journal
when the matter win come up as a
special order.
on 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, will not accept the com
mittee findings without a thorough
thrashing 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 new
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 and
Browning to sit in the House, as both
are members de faCto and de ture.
Others think 1t is doubtful merely,
while 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 will
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 Judge Of the qualifications
Of its membership. Any legal ques-
ton that may arise out of their Chal-
lenged right to sit woulr be a ques-
tior for the courts to settle even
tually but once the House seats them
there will be no further question Of
their rights TO sit. so far as the House
Itself Is concerned
Both Bleckley and Wheeler Coun-
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 senti-
ment in the House against unseating
them
The feeling is that the matter
should be settled at once, however, /!
order that there may he no question
| in the future as to the status OF tn,
House membership in its entirety.
Powell in Strong Plea.
| Judge Arthur Powell Il forme'
| member of the Court Of Appeals. mad,
| a strong argument before the com
| mittee on Monday favorable TO seat.
| ing Macarthur and Browning, but tn,
| committee. in executive session 70
several hours. overruled the Judge.
All hearings on the floor Of tn
| House will be held in the open, o
| 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