The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1913-03-27


The Legislature OH Friday passed
the amendment TO the election laws
over which there has been such bitter
fight for the past week, and in fact fol-
the past tour years. Representative
Boyer of Cooke county came very
prominent in the limelighti in The fight
as he was the only republican to vote
for the bill, but he is no longer styled
as a Republican and is considered the
only Progressive in the house. New
port Republicans were wrathy LOT
when it first became known that Boy
er had made possible the vote which
put through the new bill.
The journal and Tribune story of
the passage of the bill in the house is
as follows: ~
Another riotious time in the house
was had Friday morning preceded by
fight between Representative Dannel
aud ex-Flre Marshall John Oliver and
followed by the passage of the amend
ment to the election law. This bill
passed on the final reading by vote
Of so AZ. 1t had just enough votes to
win and the one needed to put it over
wassecuredby bringing Representative
Neely, of Shelby county, into the hall
on stretcher and allowing him to
vote from behind the chair of the house.
When his name was called and the
word aye was announced in clear
voice, applause broke out. During the
ballot the house was rather quiet out
of Difference to the condition of the
sick man, but when the result was an
nounced, the regulars could hold in no
longer, and not only applauded, but
cheers resounded through the hall for
several minutes.
Preceding the meeting of the house,
Representative Tom Dannel and John
had difficulty, but the men were
separated before much damage was
done. From the best accounts to be
had of the trouble, Dannel and Oliver
grew heated over the latter's talking
to Representative Royston, trying to
influence his vote on the election bill.
Dannel accused hun of this and at the
same time made thecharge that Oliver
had not voted republican ticket in
many years, naming the date. Oliver
resented this statement, and called
Dannel a id liar, AS quick as this
happened the gentleman from Roane
struck Oliver slanting blow in the
face.
The men clinched and they were
only separated after some difficulty by
fellow-members, sergeants-at-arms and
the police.
Again the galleries were packed with
men and women watching the pro-
ceedings, but they took little part to-
day in the way of demonstrations, evi-
IDENTIFY fearing the speaker would clear
them.
The passage of the bill was not Sc
cured without the usual road roller
tactics OF the regulars, though this was
entirely unnecessary. Butthey feared
the least delay and wanted to put the
thing over as quickly as possible and
to this end the speaker helped them all
he could. Prior to the calling of the
4 bill, Myers was i'm the chair and was
as high-handed as stanton ever was
until the sage OF Sullivan, John 1. Cox,
called him to time respectfully and
pointedly. John 1. Cox is wise in this
game of politics and he has lived long
enough to see high handed methods
revert on the heads Of those playing
the game. Therefore he counselled
moderation at one stage OF the pro.
sceedings today. l..
The bill came up in regular order to.
day the adjournment being taken YES
terday just before it was read. The
speaker ANNOUNCED that 1t wss before
the house ON third and final reading
There was not sound in the house
The fusionists waited expecting some
move from the regulars, and not one
man opened his mouth but on the
other hand ratherheld his breath wait
ing for the regulars to open up. The
fusionists kept quiet, and after an
interval the SPEAKER said: "Call the
roil.n
Then the fusionists woke up but il
was too late. Ir was trick Openly
and fairly played, and the regulars
won white fusionists slept. They had
meant to tiibuster. They mehntS te
fight to The last ditch but put TO sIeeI