Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-23

from the race.
The withdrawal of Mr.. Ennis was
complete surprise to the members
of the house. Absolutely no hint OF
his intention had been given out II
advance, and it was known only tc
Mr.. Neill and Judge Eugene Cox
campaign manager of Mr.. Neill, anc
to three or four close friends of Mr.
Ennis
When the members of the house
had finished taking the oaths OF
office, and the house was ready to
proceed with the election Of speak
er, Mr.. Ennis took the floor, and an
nounced his withdrawal. He said;
'As all Of you know my sole OBJ
ect in entering this contest was
to insure an organization of the
house which would cooperate with
Governor Hardwick's administration.
My strength at this moment is
ninety-three votes, which is seven
votes less than a majority. Instead
Of proIonging the contest, l have
decided to yield to the superior
strength of my opponent. Mr.. Neill,
and make his election unanimous. In
taking this step, 1 feel that the in
terest of our new governors admin
istration will be in safe and capable
hands.
Ennis Applauded
"Mr. Neill has served many years
In this house and is thoroughly ca
pable to perform the duties of
speaker. Furthermore, Mr.. Neill has
assured me and assured Governor
Hardwick, and assured all of you, in
his repeated statements that he will
cooperate in making the new admin
istration successful. The problems of
our state are of such magnitude that
we cannot afford, any of us, to jeop-
ardize the peoples interest in fac
tiona1 strife. I feel assured that the
object of my candidacy has been &C
complished, and I therefore yield to
my friend, Cecil NeilI, in making his
election unanimous"
The speech of Mr.. Ennis was re-
eeived with prolonged applause, and
deluge of congratulations from
members on both sides of the con-
test. Mr.. Ennis was appointed chair
man of the committee to escort the
new speaker to the rostrum, and their
appearance, arm in arm, was the sig
nal for another prolonged ovation
Mr.. Neill acknowledged his election
in brief and appropriate speech.
He said:
Il cannot find words to express my
heartfelt appreciation of the magma
nimity Of my opponent and the honor
you have conferred upon me. 1 can
never forget the devoted loyalty of
the friends who have stood by me
In this contest. I ask all of you to
join me in prayer that L may be
given by the Almighty the capacity
and courage to perform the high du-
ties of this office for the best in
terest of our people.
Although was not as you know
supporter of Mr.. Hardwick in his
race for governor, 1 have repeatedly
stated my intention, if elected speak
er, to stand back of his administra-
tton, and to cooperate with him in
every way for the good of the whole
people. This is no time for fac
tionalism or fractional strife. It is a
time when the magnitude of our
problems should compel US to go for
ward in complete and perfect har-
mony. I now repeat my previous as
surances to the incoming governor
and his friends that have no desire
other than the success of his ad-
niniStration.
cit lies peculiarly in the province
Of the executive to suggest legisla-
ton. 1t lies within my province to
suggest methods Of safeguarding
the transaction of legislative bust
fore, to the fact that. lobbying is a
crime, made so by the constitution
of the state, and I wish to impress
upon you the Importance of enforc-
ing the penalty provided il our
statutes against that crime.
I'm making committee appoint
ments, 1 will have no enemies to
punish, but will make them for the
best interest Of the state as a whole,
so help me Cod
Mr.. Neills speech created a very
favorable impression among the
members of the house, and was re
ceived with hearty and prolonged
applause. Mr.. Neill has served il
the house for the past ten years, and
is exceedingly popular with his col
him after his speech was his erst
while opponent, Mr.. Ennis, and tn
next was his other erstwhile oppo
nent, Judge Harper Hamilton, o
race late Tuesday afternoon.
E. B. Moore, of DeKalb county
the veteran clerk of the house, VIII
called the members to order, anc
presided during the election Of the
speaker, was then reelected clerk BY
ynfn &c al "a
followed by the election Of Zach Ar
mold, of Clay county, as speaker Nprt
tenn. without opposition. w. T. Nor
ris, Confederate veteran. and door
keeper Of the house for many years
was unanimously reelected. V. H
Taynes, of Gordon county, was unan
imously elected messenger, and Rev
J. H. Ellis was unanimously re-elect
ed chaplain.
Following the election of the of.
Iicers of the house, joint resolution
was adopted for the appointment of q
committee from the house and from
the senate to notify the governor tina
the general assembly had met anc
transaction of business. On. thi!
committee Speaker Neil appointed
Messrs. Culpepper, of Fayette; Moore
of Fulton, and Byrd, of Taliaferro.
The house then took recess tc
await the return of the joint com
mittee from the governors office
after which the drawing for seats il
the house was conducted in the usua
manner, the Confederate veteran
members and the candidates fol
speaker being given first choice, as
usual, with the balance of the mem
bers retired from the hall. They
were called in as their names were
drawn at random from a hat. The
house then adjourned until Thurs
day morning.
One Killed, One Hurt