The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-12
TENNESSEE SOLONS
MEET MONDAY FOR
THIRD TIME IN YEAR
First Time in 30 Years Two
Special Sessions Have
Been Called i'm a s
Year

. Nashville, October 11.--when the Ten
nessee legislature convenes here in spe-
cial session on Monday. 1t will be the
third time this year that the members
lative halls of the capitol. Incidentally,
It will be tho first time in 30 years that
two special sessions of the general as
sembly have been held within twelve
month.
Interest In the deliberations of the COM
ing session Is especially keen on account
of the fact that O determined fight is ex-.
pected on the so-called '1aw enforcement
bills intended to make more effective
the present prohibition laws. Through
the efforts of regular democrats vote
upon these measures at the special ses-
sion, which closed September q, was
prevented.
Other Legislation
In addition to considering the "law en-
forcement bill,' the special session will
be called upon to consider the proposed
amendment to the refunding act and a
Dill making an appropriation covering
the expenses of the session. 1t has been
estimated that from three days to a week
Will be required to dispose Of the busi-
mss which Governor Hooper has called
upon the legislature to transact. 1t is
also calculated that the minimum cost
OF the special session will be $4,000, rails
ing the total legislative expense of the
year to approximately s15O,00O.
Ihe regular session of the Tennessee
Iatx @ l.
remaining in session until February p a
recess was taken to March II. Desiring
TO break a quorum on April /, house
fusionists went to Middlesboro KY and
stayed away until the expiration of the
10 days fG which legislators draw pay
In the meantime members of the reg
ular democratic faction kept the session
alive until August %, thus establishing
a longevity record for Tennessees legis-
lative body
Extended Fight
Efforts of the regular democrats to
effect certain changes In the state election
laws precipitated the extended fight in
the regular session. Because of these
eHorts the fusionists attempted to break
the quorum by leaving the state. Friends
OF the proposed election law amend
ments daily met in the house, attempt
ing to defeat the fusion filibuster by
counting the absentees as mot voting.'
Ihe amendments to the election laws
as passed at this time, now are before
the state supreme court, the regular
democrats having won in the court of
chancery.
Not until June was the quorum re-
stored, and then for only three days.
Not until the absolute need of refunding
legislation was impressed upon them did
the absent fusionists consent to return
TO the capital. 1t was at that time that
number OF additional sergeants-at-
arms We're appointed, the doors of the
legislative halls closed and an attempt
made to re-enact the election law amend
ments. This plan, however, failed and
the long session closed.
Feeling Runs High
Feeling ran high at the first special
session. which was called by Governor
Hooper chiefly in order to secure pas
sage of the claw enforcement bills"
Charges were made by both factions
that armed guards were introduced
into the halls of the capitol and that
efforts were made at intimidation While
none of these charges was substantiated
they had the effect of bringing about a
mutual agreement whereby all but mem
bers of the legislature We're excluded
from the capitol No similar trouble
at the coming special session is anticf-
pated.
Governor Hooper, discussing the com
Ing session tonight, said: IA majority of
the legislature recently was prevented by
f1libuster from passing the law en-
forcement bills, which will enable the
people to abate the saloons as q nui-
sance. When 1T appeared that friends
of law enforcement resented efforts of
certain city officials of this state to in.
timiate by sending armed guards to the
capitol, lurid newspaper accounts were
sent broadcast, to the effect that ad-
vocates of law enforcement were try
ing by gun play to force the passage
of the bills"
The governor said that the approach
ing special session would have an op-
portunity ito restore the majesty of
the law in the cities of Tennessee or face
the rising tide OF public Indignation
Tennessees liquor laws have formed
the political storm center since 1877, when
the historic "four-mile law" which pro-
hibited the sale of intoxicants within
four miles of any sehoolhouse. except In
Incorporated towns licensing such SALE
was enacted.
a.