El Nuevo mexicano., 1919-03-06
AND SPEAKER
FAIL TO KEEP NEW
MEXICAN REPORTER
OUT IN COLO WORLD
ENTERTAINING INcIpEN r in
HOUSE RESULTS IN VOTE
AGAINST MAKING BADINAcE
GROUND FOR EXCLUSION;
SPEAKER IN HIGH DUDeEoN.

GnOON1 49, ENNGGStO'Nt
SPEAKER IN HIGH DUDeEoN.
The house of the fourth New Next
co legislature on a test roll call yes
terday solemnly voted by a majority
Of something like three TO one not to
deprive A. H. Lyon, the New Mexican
! reporter, Of the freedom of the floor,
after a move in that direction had
been started by the aggrieved Major
Llewellyn, aided principally by the
speaker. 1t appeared that there was
some dissatisfaction in limited quar-
tiers as to manner In which the pro-
ceedings OF this rather mild legisla-
ture had been mildly reported, culmi-
mating in the Majors quite erroneous
belief that an attempt had been
made to Indicate that he lost the just
ly celebrated health bill otherwise
than accidentally. In brief the loss Of
the bill war made the subject of some
quite innocent persiflage which the
Major contrary to his usual genial dis
position seemed to think concealed ul-
terror ins~inuations which as a matter
of fact didn't exist.
Anyhow, about four O'Clock yester-
day the Major rose to a question of
personal privilege, described how he
had loaned the bill to Senator Jim
Baird and then forgotten where 1t
went, and then proceeded to lambast
the reporter. The Major defended
himself quite unnecessarily against
the non-existent insinuation that he
had done anything other than lose the
bill accidentally. Frank Curns voiced
the general feeling that no one was
casting any asparagus on the Major.
The speaker then called Blanchard to
the chair and took a hand, on a point
of personal privilege, expressing at
length his conviction that the Major
didn't spirit away the bill and his re-
greet that newspaper mems sense of
humor sometimes carried them too
far" The speaker felt that the New
Mexican had claimed to be republi-
can, while showing an ''antagonistic
spirit" and had @~soft-soaped some
members to make them feel they were
bigger than they were"
He said the New Mexican and these
members of the house were en-
couraging each other mutually ito
embarrass and discredit the house.
He also said the reports on the legis-
lature has been Eight, trifling and
monkeyish." Some of these mem
bers are being fooled by this writer
into thinking they are making a car
eer'' he shouted. The dignity OF this
house has been in contempt he de-
clared and added 1T has not gone
quite over the line yet but when 1t
does / am going to protect the dig
nifty Of this house" he asserted.
Membership in the legislature was
a constitutional office, he went on,
and the article in question was an in
suit to the constitution.
Il am not opposing criticism" he
told the startled house, "but it is due
to the Major to say that | at no time
believed he intended to get away with
the bill" This was the second time
the Major or a friend of his took the
trouble to defend that gentleman from
an accusation never made. at was a
case where the Majors character was
involved" the speaker thought, "The
house is being accused of enormous
.offenses in the eyes of the public" he
concluded, and this has got to STOP"
Thereupon the house recessed for
Is minutes.
No action however was taken until
the night session. Just before the
house met, the reporter handed to the
a letter which he asked to
have read IN the floor of the house in
tnrh4Oh he ooIrnl - - --rrr,JAl Q,D-.
the privileges of the floor or any fur
connection with the house unless
the house was prepared to go on
record as ~favoring the freedom of
the press"
The letter was placed in the hands
Of a number of republican democratic :
leaders before the house met and they :
agreed that the house must take act !
ION. D
After IA road bills had been pass
without reading under suspension !
the rules and under rapid fire roll I
calls, Frank Faircloth of Guadalupe, 7
republican, rose In his place and an !
1ounced that he understood there was
communication on the speakers :
able from a member of the press and !
hat he would like to have it read.
The speaker, seeking to postpone the :
natter until Wednesday, announced !
hat he understood the author % the !
was willing it should go over
day and that he had nothing Off :
in his hands but only a piece Of
'aper.
Winston of Sierra made a motion
0 adjourn. This furnished the first
nd the only roll call test on the )
When only 80 names had vot- 4
d and seven had voted for adjourn =
1ent and 26 against, the speaker gave o
nat up and broke into the call to an 9
ounce that the house refused to adj y
ourn- Faircloth then moved that the 2
require the speaker to produce 3
he letter and have 1t read in openly
.use which carried overwhelmingly u
n a viva voce vote, G.
After the letter had been read, a few q
MEMBERS endeavored to stave off fur L
her action. The leaders were Win q
of Sierra and Frank Curns, who u
ndeavored to head off proceedings OF
18th a point of order. The speaker r
owever, finally ruled that when the +
lies had been suspended to take up
le letter, all points Of order went by
] board.
Mascarenas of Taos, made a short L
III IN tha rnnnyfnris Favnr ana Vrafwu fr