Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-27
COURT BATTLE DUE

(By A. P.)-Undaunted by the result
of their first skirmish with military
forces of the state, members of the
lower house of the Oklahoma legisla-
ture prepared tonight for the next
move in their attempt to meet to con-
slider the official acts of Governor ].
c. Walton.
Despite the fact that they were dis
persed when they gathered at noon
today before the barred doors OF the
house chamber at the capitol, the
legislators contended that the house
formally was convened and that it
now is in recess pending the call of
the presiding officer.
A statement by Representative W.
ID. McBee, a leader in the assembly
move, declared that the proceedings
constituted a meeting of the house,
Notwithstanding its interruption by
troops acting under orders of Gov
ernor Walton.
With the statement Representative
McBce made public what he declared
to be the official journal of the house.
1t detailed the brief action which
terminated in the clearance of the
capitol corridors by the military.
Prevented from meeting or even
caucusing, the house members to-
night pinned their hopes for protec-
ton against the military authorities
upon the efforts of a legal committee
which is preparing court proc ceilings
to mark the next stage in the con-
flict.
That there would be no immediate
NJ mt % III H.
fance of martial law regulations was
the promise made late today by
house leaders to Adjutant General B.
II. Markham, observers predicted
that the solons would await a court
ruling before essaying another as
sembly.
Representative w. p. Disney,
chairman of the legal committee. said
tonight that the court proceedings
could not get under way before
morning. He refused to indicate
what form the action might take or
whether 1t would be instituted in the
state supreme court or the federal
, court here.
IT is expected, however. that an in
junction will be sought against
Governor Walton, with the possibili-
ity that national guard officers will
Dc IIldue Pal titS W Tic
Attorney General George F. Short.
! who will oppose the action in behalf
of the state when the court battle be-
gins. told newspaper men that sew
eral types of legal action might be
filed He added that he did not know
what to expect. The nature Of the
proceedings. he said. would deter
mine the place Of filing.
The journal Of the house" de-
signed to show that the session was
regularly called today and that 1t
was dispersed. is expected to be
made the basis of the suit.
The official journal drew no pic
ture of the tense scenes attending the
clash between the legislators and
the grim faced soldiers.
Crowded in the rotunda on the
fourth floor of the capitol the pub
lie members. a small army Of news
paper correspondents and possibly q
hundred spectators milled around
waiting for the test.
With rifles on their shoulders, two
| privates stood before the doors OF
the house and the senate chambers.
Officers wearing service revolvers
stationed themselves at vantage
points.
Suddenly above the noise arose a
| voice-that Of Charles S. Brice, of
| McAlister, speaker pro tempore. II
came from the rear of the crowd that
pressed up to the armed barrier to the
hall of the house.
"As 1t is noon the house is in ses-
SION" Brice began.
you are commanded to disperse.
This sharp command interrupted
Brice and the crowd turned and saw
v1ailttnrxy l.
mander Of Oklahoma county. step to
the speakers side.
u, as military commander OF the
district of Oklahoma. forbid this at
, tempted meeting and direct that you
dispense Immediately" he said.
A tense moment ensued.
Each legislator waited for another
TO lead the way.
Another order to dispense was
rasped out by Colonel Key and off,
GERS began movin. through the as
sembly repeating their chiefs in
junction. The crowd wayered. then
broke and within FIVE minutes the
rotunda was deserted.
A crowd of approximately 5000
, persons sent UP loud cheer from a
field across street az the first Of
the legislators appeared on the capt.
tol steps.
Guards made no effort 10 stay the
demonstration until the throng
, pressed forward to meet the legisla
tors. They ordered IL to disband.
With the departure Of the legis-
lators. the crowd melted rapidly and
followed in their wake.
The house members went imme-
diately to "A downtown hotel, where
an unofficial headquarters is main
tanned.
Within a short time a member of
Colonel Keys staff arrived and in
ctr,,otod ponroscnf1 tive M,paa fh.S