Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-20
No "Gent1emen" in Senate
BY John T. BOIFEUILLET

- BY JOHN T. BOIFEUILLET
TN HERE had been inquiry in newspapers
at the time as to the form Of recogni-
tibn the president of the senate would
give Senator FELTON, when she rose at her
seat on the floor of the senate to address
him.
He recognized her by saying: "The Junior
senator from Georgia." 1t is not usual for
theApresident of the senate to designate one
of the senator's from a state as senior, and
the other as junior when recognizing them,
but presume that in the case of Mrs. Eel
ton, particularly, the presiding officer took
occasion to manifest not only his recognition
but his appreciation of her youthful heart,
buoyant spirit and exuterant nature.
senator addresses the chair, Mr.. Pres
ident' and the president recognizes him by
saying, "The Senator from Georgia. or
whatever the senator's state may be.
Prior to March 4, 1925, when John &.
Calhoun became vice president of the United
States, and consequently president of the
senate, it had been the practice for sena-
tors, when referring to each other, and for
the chair in putting the question, to use the
term gentleman" Mr. Calhoun substituted
for this the more appropriately parliament
tary term of SENATOR" which has ever since
been preserved
former president of the senate was in
the habit of distinguishing the two senators
from the state of Arkansas by calling one
as "the senator from Arkansas and the 9TH
er as "the senator from Arkansaw." The
legislature of that state has by joint 1egis-
lation declared that "Arkansaw" be the right
pronunciation. Both pronunciations are in
common use.
Scene in Georgia Senate
The late John W. Akin, of Gainesville.
was one of Georgias most accomplished par
liamentarians. He was an ideal gentleman,
a high illustration of true southern chivalry.
Among the honors with which he was crown
ed during his distinguished public career
was the presidency of the Georgia senate. He
presided with ability, dignity, impartiality
and popularity.
Senator l.. G., Hartman was the author
OF a. bill to require the registration of trained
nurses, and he was exceedingly ardent in
his efforts to obtain its passage. Senator
John P. knight, of Berrien, who, when he
is in legislative action, reminds me of the
Mameluke cavalry on a charge, crossed
swords with Senator Hartman on this occa-
sion. He offered an amendment to the bill
to the effect that nothing in this measure
shall be construed to prohibit the author of
the Dill from having two nurses whether
trained or in process of training to attend
MIN whenever necessity required"
Prior to Senator Knights becoming a SEN
ator, he had frequently served in the house
of representatives, where he had been &C
customed to refer to or address a represen-
tative as the gentleman from Ccweta coun-
ty," or whatever the representatives county
might be. He would unconsciously drop into
this form of address in the senate and in
stead of saying 1.-The senator he would say
"the gentleman" He used this form of ex-
preston several times in his running debate
with Senator Hartman OF course, no oppro-
| blum was attached to the appellation gentle
man." but the term was not in accordance
with strict parliamentary usage.
Akin Shocked knight
President Atkins conception of senatorial
etiquette and practices rebeled against the
use of the word gentleman" and firmly rap
ping, Senator knight to order, said:
1T is an exceedingly disagreeable duty to
call any member of this body to task but
when an open violation of the rules of the
some time past I have noticed with some de-
gree of surprise that senators appeared to
forget themselves and to address senators in
debate as gentlemen. The senator from the
Sixth is an old offender. Let me state once
for all that there are no gentlemen in the
senate Of Georgia; for when the commission
ers of the people once enter this chamber
they cease to be gentlemen and become sena-
tors"
President Atkins declaration was seriously
proclaim yet there flowed through it a
humorous Vein, which the senate enjoyed.
| Senator knights very name suggests courte-
! sy dignity chivalry, qualities inherent in
| true gentleman, and he was thrown into
complete perplexity for a moment by the rul-
! ing Of the chair, but he recovered his equilb-
| rum, recognized the strict parliamentary
| correctness of the decision, and reconciled
| himself to losing the identity of gentleman"
in that of senator" at least, so far ad-
dressing fellow members on the floor of
! the senate was concerned
| Senators Arm in Arm
| A newly elected United States senator Is