SENATORS BALK AT MULE BILL ADD-ONS

Legislation that would make the mule Missouri's official state animal balked on the senate floor Wednesday.

The bill, originated by the Cape Girardeau American Legion, was brought up for debate on the senate floor Wednesday by Sen. Mike Lybyer, D-Huggins.

In addition to making the mule the official state animal, the bill would make square dancing the official state dance.

As debate began, Sen. Harold Caskey, D-Butler, introduced two amendments; one to make the Foxtrotter the official state horse and another to make Jesse James the official state outlaw.

Senators parried for about five minutes before Caskey withdrew both amendments.

Sen. John Scott, D-St. Louis, then offered his bill to outlaw cock fighting as an amendment.

A point of order was raised that the amendment was out of the scope of the original bill.

Senate President pro tem James Mathewson, D-Sedalia, took the issue under advisement and further action on the bill is suspended until he makes a decision.

Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said he is hopeful the cock fighting amendment will be withdrawn or Matthewson will rule that the amendment is out of order.

Charles Woodford of Cape Girardeau, a champion of the mule and ring leader of the American Legion's push for the mule's official designation, is organizing a telephone campaign. He wants people to call Mathewson and ask that he rule in favor of the mule.

"The amendment is a cruelty to animals issue," Woodford said. "These are dissimilar things."

The Cape Girardeau American Legion started the effort 18 months ago to make the Missouri mule the official state animal. They got the support of the statewide American Legion and the legislation has passed Missouri's House of Representatives.

"We're within a millimeter of getting over the top," Woodford said. "And now this happens. I'm very upset and disturbed."