Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-03-18
LEGISLATURE CLOSES
IN AN UPROAR
Republicans Gain Control of All
Elections In LouisviIle-Reg-
istration Bill Passed


Kentucky's General Assembly
brought its 1920 session to a close
Wednesday night, midst scenes of
hilarity. The dignified politicians
were seen throwing paper, tossing
waste baskets, books and other things
into the air, reading and reciting
poems which marked the end of this
session.
Frankfort, KY, March 49, Presi-
dent S. Thurston Ballard after
having established what was called a
record for fairness in decisions
throughout the session, was accused
of being partisan fighter with his
colleagues on the floor when his as
sistance was necessary to enable the
Republicans to win.
With his aid the registration law
designed to give to the Republican
party control over election machinery
in Louisville, passed the Senate and
was sent to Governor Edwin P. Nor
row for his signature.
The bill eliminates the registration
certificate, heretofore issued to legal
voters when they registered, and
leaves the presence of the voters
name on the regristration book as the
only requirement prerequisite to vot-
ing.
Police Power Is Granted
1t also grants to civilian election
officers the same police power at the
polls as Sheriffs, and Democratic
members were quick to perceive be-
hind it the motive of the Republicans
to capture full control of elections in
Louisville
The bill was called out by the Rules
set for reconvening after the luncheon
recess. The delay had been caused by
the absence of Republican Leader
Brock, and he still was absent when
President Ballard called the Senate
to order. The bill was singled out
to be the first order of business, the
committee having decided during the
lunch hour to make the motion, after
being advised by Republicans that un-
less they did so it would be forced to
the floor.
With Senator Brock absent and the
Republican majority therefore broken,
the Lieutenant Governor was quick to
note thee danger to the bill, and the
delay began.
He made brief speeches in reply to
motions from the floor, and when SEN
ator Brock still failed to appear he
ordered the bill to be taken from the
clerk and began to read it slowly to
the Senate.
Immediately an uproar resulted.
The bill had received its final reading
by the clerk, in accordance with the
rules, and was ready for action.
Protests Voiced in Senate
The purpose of the delay was OBJ
vious, and protests rang out from
every corner of the chamber.
A motion by Senator Perry to table
the bill was followed by one made by
Senator Smith to adjourn sine die, but
in the face of these and all subse-
ouent efforts to gain recognition
President Ballard continued to read
the bill until Senator Brock finally
came Though the door.
The. bill syas then placed on its pas
sage, after the tabling motion had
been defeated.
The House concurred in the Senate
amendment to Representative McLel-
lens bill to appropriate $4,000 for the
Negro Red Cross of Louisville and
passed by vote of &c to 1.
Close teachnical questions arose
when the Senate undertook to con-
slider the free textbook bill, which
had been certified to the Senate by
tbe House. When the bill was called
nm Senator Antle, who opened the bill
provided for an appropriation for the
purchase of school books and had
received but 40 votes in the House
and therefore had not passed.
House Vote in Question
The question of how far the Senate
might search the records to determine
whether or not the Clerk of the House
had made a mistake in certifying that
the bill had passed then was called up
The vote on the bill in the House was
produced and it showed that the bill
received AS. votes for it and 26 against
it. a
Senator Nunn read decision of the
Court of Appeals holding that the
Court could not go behind the certl.
fication on the face of the bill, ane
asserted that he did not think him
self to be enough of lawyer to. de
eide whether or not the expenditure
in the measure was an appropriation
Ioox1, fIof n a.