The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-07-31

LitLlt NUM- July OV.-- ne
House today defeated the Senate
resolution to extend the extraor-
dinanry session until Saturday
and the resolution to adjourn sine
die was adopted at 4 p. m. today.
Little Rock, July 29.-When the
smoke cleared from the house and
senate chambers late this afternoon,
senators and representatives were
wildly guessing as to where are we
at?"
And there was no answer.
All that was certain was that both
branches recessed until Wednesday
morning with the putting back on Sec
ond reading for amendment of the
$4,000 per diem bill, by the senate,
as the sole accomplishment of the day.
And this action, perhaps used as a
club over the house, further shattered
the ability to make a correct deduc-
tion.
Matters were sailing smoothly dur
ing the morning until the senate took
up conference committee report re-
commenting that the legislature stay
in action until Saturday, to consider
local and general legislation. But
seven of the 80 senators present voted
in the negative, and it required two
third majority, or 28, to adopt. That
was shortly before noon. There was
hue and cry, amid which there were
clamors for President McFerrin to
withhold official announcement of the
result. This he did, and recognized a
motion to recess until 2:30 o'clock. The
house. in the meantime, had been
marking time, awaiting new action.
AS soon as the senate recess was
announced an SOS call was sent to
Pine Bluff recalling Senator Caldwell
who had gone home and urged him to
be in the senate chamber at o'clock
TO cast the deciding vote, for he
agreed to support extension.
At 2:30 the senator had not arrived,
altho word was flashed that he was
speeding to the city in high powered
automobile. So filibuster was be-
gun to defer action until. he arrived.
An hour later word was received that
he was travelling hot concrete road
that had caused tire blowouts, and he
was delayed. The filibuster went on.
Then Senator Townsend, one of the
seven opponents, agreed to change his
vote. Senator Bole, who announced he
would go home tonight, had left the
room, so the senate ended its filibus-
ter and adopted the resolution, "a to
5. The five opponents were Great
house, Johnston, McFarlin, MeGough
and Wilson.
Word came that the house was ali
peeved up, and was apt to kick over
the traces, however. So Senator
Ward, to help in trying to win over
some antis in the house, moved, and
his motion was seconded, to place the
per diem bill back on second reading
for amendment, thus probably neces-
stating stay until Thursday at least
to draw mileage and per diem.
The Senate then adjourned.
The house had had big row in the
meantime, and voted down the confer
ence resolution, 46 to 46. Those fav-
osing extension had little better luck
on the next resolution, one of Semes-
ter for sine die adjournment Wednes-
day noon. 1t was beaten, "A to AZ.
Compbell of Faulkner then introduced
resolution providing for adjourn
ment Friday, and that only local rem
edial road and drainage legislation be
considered This suffered similar
fate, dying 81 to &c. And thus the
agony ended, the house also recess
ing until Wednesday morning.
The only redeeming feature of the
day was fist fight on the floor of the
Senate between John Combs, former
prosecutor at Huntsville, and Lon A.
Garrett, former sheriff of Madison
county. The two leaders of opposite
sides on Madison county road matters,
permitted an argument to lead to
blows. Both men were considerably
marked before separated. The fight
took place directly in front of the
presidents chair during a short re-
cess. just before noon.