Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-02-21
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 20.-The
senate made a direct test of the ad-
miuistTatiOn strength today in a vote
on adoption Of the Austin resolution
to abolish the county courts and 9TH
erwise reform nisi prius courts by
constitutional amendment. The re-
suit was eminently satisfactory to the
administration. The vote was 27 to
16 Four of the minority voters were
Republican and one was Socialist.
only II Democrats voted against the
administration measure, The same
resolution was killed In committee OF
the whole last night
The resolution was adopted after a
report OF the committee Of the whole
had been divided, segregating this
proposition from another that had a
favorable report The other was the
Joint resolution by Senator Sutherlin,
providing for merger OF the supreme
court and the court Of criminal ap-
pcals and the increase of the body to
nine members.
Thus two Of the court amendments
of Governor Williams have been ad-
vanced TO engrossment in the senate
and will undoubtedly be passed finally
at an early date.
Against Machine Building.
Argument on the supreme court
amendment was made last night In
committee Of the whole, the opposi-
tion being led by Senator Carpenter
of Mangum Senator Buckner also op-
posed the resolution and pointed to a
tendency by this legislature TO place
too much power in the hands Of the
governor and the corporation commits
sion. 81 am against giving this dan
gerous power to the executive ~
shouted the McAlester senator. at
builds up a machine that is almost
impossible TO defeat"
incidentally TO this debate II de
veloped i'm q statement by Senator
Sutherlin that there is no plan to hold
special election on the constitu-
tioual amendments this summer. but
the administration seeks to have them
voted on in the next general election
in 1915. The amendments are framed
with the idea Of placing them i'm eff
feet following that election.
The debate this morning over the
amendment to abolish county courts
was made by Senator Carpenter who
opposed the resolution, and others,
and by Senators Pugh and Sutherlin
and others In favor OF it.
SenatoE Carpenter laid stress upon
lUt statement NDdl no DtlllbNAdllN tOA-
vention had demanded this enactment
and that there is no demand for Il by
any county This was replied to by
senators who noted that there is a de-
mand In their individual counties for
reduction of court expenses and I'm one
or two instances for abolition Of the
county courts. Senator Cordell stated
that the county Judge from Tillman
county was here yesterday and told
him that there is really no need for a
county court in that county.
Claim Saving.
Senator Pugh argued that the
TO the constitution Will
lessen the cost OF courts by from
1900, 600 to $4,000 a year and will
make the machinery of justice more
simple and better adapted TO the needs
Of the people.
Senator Sutherlin made a careful
and clear statement OF the objects Of
the amendment and the reasons for
asking II.
The vote was decisive and the ad-
program for reform of
the courts has been approved in the
senate by large majority of the DEM
ocrats constituting a safe constitu-
tional majority Of the senate
Senators participated in a lively de-