Evening journal., 1915-01-05


STATE HOUSE. DOVER, Del, Jan. !
5.-When the Legislature convened in
biennial session at noon today a
spirited fight Immediately started in
the Senate over the contest filed by
George Waldman, Democrat. OF the
seat of Joseph Frazier. Republican.
who was elected by four majority
from the Fifth Kent district. The
four Democratic hold-over Senatars
aided by arbitrary rulings of Lieu
tenant-Governor Colen Ferguson,
Democrat, conducted the prelimi-
naries in the Senate. the Lieutenant
Governor refusing to permit the new
Republican members to vote or to-
recognize an appeal from his deci-
sion. While the Senate was engaged
in the wrangle over the Waldbman-
Frazier contest. the House proceeded
TO organize harmOniOusly. An agree
ment having been reached by five dis
satisfied Republican Representa-
tiyes, in conference with Governor
Miller, just before noon, to support
tho Republican House caucus slate.
Trouble in Senate.
AS soon as the Rev B. f. Thomp-'
son, of Dover made the opening
prayer in the Senate, the trouble
started. Senator Anderson. Republ
can. nominated Senator Furniss,
Democrat. for temporary clerk. Sen
ator Gormley moved that H. d.
Boyer, of Smyrna, be substituted for
clerk
Boyer received fcm Democratic hold
over votes and al the Republicans sup
ported furnis- Governor Ferguson
ruled the new members could not voec
and declared Boyer chosen clerk.
Refuses to Recognize Appeal
senator Walkcr, Republican, protest
ed that the ncwly-clectcd mcmocrs an
members of the senate, but Senator
Furmiss ccntcnded they are not mem
hers until their certificates of election
are preseAted. Licutcnau; GOvcrno
Ferguson ruled in support of Senator
lurniss' tcntcntion. Senator Harris ap
pcalcd from the decision of the chair
hut Lieutenant Governor Ferguson sal
he would not recognize the appeal an'
declared Boyer secretary.
81 insist on an appeal from the de
cision Of the chair, said Senator Har
ris
Tho chair does not recognize th
appeal" ruled Mr. Ferguson. lie thei
presented a copy of the Waidman con
Boyer to read There was consuita
ton of some Republican Senators wit
Daniel o. Hastings. Ruby r. Vail. j.
J. Layton and Chairman Mitchell a
the rail Of the chamber, and Senate
Furniss asked that tho floor be clear
Cd of all but members. Senator An
derson protested that the Senate wa
not organized had no quorum, an
could nnf franrarf hnrfnOcg
New Members Ruled Oui.
Senator Hoffccker. new member
started to speak but Mr.. Ferguso
said he would not recognize any me-
members.
Mr.. Hoffccker continued. howeve
demanding that the new members 1
sworn in.
Senator Gormloy contended I'll
Senate was sufficiently organized, an
would send a committee to ask ii
judges for certificates of electio
Senator Walker vehemently protestC
there was no quorum there being bl
seven hOld-ovcr members.
Mista'-e is Made.
senator Anderson moved that the &C
tifcatcs oi election he sent for, b
Lieutenant Governor Ferguson said
would not recognize the motion and q
dcrcd Clerk Boyer to continue rcadr
The Republicans then decided to let I
Democrats follow their high hand
procedure for awhile. In the middle
The reading the chair called ha
stating that he neglected to call the r.
of ihc members present as he shot
have done at the beginning OF the 81
sion.
The clerk was instructed to call
roll after which the reading proeeede
At the conclusion of the rcadii
Senator Anderson moved that tue ce
tificatos of election be sent for. II
chair appointed Senator harton 10 n
.tifv the custodians, of the ceruficat
Of the new members that the Sena
was ready to receive them. Scnat
HoHecker objected on the ground To
Senator Wharton is new momb
whose certificate has not been al
proved
The chair then appointed Senai
Gormley who notified the CUSTODIAN
After Deputy Prothorotary Fra
Newall. of Wilmington, and GeoI
NJ Jones. of Dover, presented
certificates OF election of New Cas-
and Kent Senators, and they w