McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-03-28
ELECTION BILL PASSED.
Its Final Success Over Hooper's Veto Is
Certainty.

Its Final Success Over Hooper's Veto Is
Certainty.
Nashville.-In tones scarcely audible,
with his body racked and torn by the
ravages of disease, Charles L. Nicely of
Shelby county was brought on stretch
er in the house of representatives and
cast the vote which ovefthrew the cleo
tion machinery of the State.
The Democrats on the night before
had pledges sufficient to pass the bill,
but some of the members had dream,
and in that dream they saw vision,
and they were sorely troubled until
young man named Hooper made it plain
to them. They refused to accept the
explanation of the soothsayers, and,
with two in hospitals and two in ira
vail, the Democrats had no alternative
except to have Nicely vote. The final
vote was so to Az and one less would
have defeated it for the lack Of con-
stitutional majority.
The bill is still in the hands of the
committee in the senate, but will be
called out in few days, but there is
no prospect of its defeat When the
bill shall have passed the senate the
governor will veto it, and it will then
be passed over his veto.
-
strength of the Republican and Inde-
pendent alliance in the house is broken.
Constant defeat and useless resistance
have Slapped their vitality, and they
disappeared from the hall chagrned, dis
heartened and hopeless
On the outside there are rumors that
the election BILL will not be allowed to
pass over the veto of the governor. The
members of the house may hand in their
designations in the event "a can be Sc
cured. At present there appears to be
no way of defeating the, bill in con.
test of strength.
The passage of the bill in the house
was distinct surprise to the Independ-
ents and Republicans. There was every
indication that the Democrats were In
sore distress. This was salve to the Re-
publieans. They gathered and sang
Nearer, My God, to Thee" and "When
the Roll Is Called Up Yonder I'll Be
There" and as they sang loudly and
some mountaineer bore down heavily on
the bass, Mayor Crump of Memphis and
Representative John |. Cox whispered
softly to each other.
Speaker Stanton had word that Nicely
was on his way and he called the house
to order. The chaplain besought the Lord
to assume responsibility for the conduct
of the house, but the appeal failed for
want of second.
Mr. Nicely had not arrived, and Mr..
Todd called for the reading of the jour
nal. The clerk read half an hour or
longer, and finally four buxom negroes
approached with Mr.. Nelly on stretch
er. Representative Alternately called for
the reading of the bill. In substance, it
provides that the state board of elec-
ton commissioners shall consist of five
members, instead of three, as at pres-
ent. Stratton has resigned and the beg
islature will be required to elect three
regular Democrats. Instead of each men,
Der selecting factional county election
commissioner, as heretofore, major
ity will select all of the commissioners
in the state. Their term of office is for
six years.
The bill was placed on final reading.
Somebody called for previous question.
Representative Smith of Knox and 9th
ers attempted to discuss the measure,
but Representative Mcfarland insisted
on roll CALL Speaker Stanton had re-
sumed the chair.
The speaker stated that Mr.. Nicely was
seriously i'll, and he hoped that there
would be absolute quiet. He said un-
less there was objection, Mr.. Nelly
would answer to his name from behind
the bar of the house. There was none,
but Mayor Crump never takes chance.
He had the porters to take Mr.. Nicely
into the aisle, and when his name was
reached, the muffled tone, which proceed
ed from somewhere in the pile of blan-
kets, was drowned by thunderous APP
plause, and the procession moved out,
down to the ambulance and back to the
hospital.