Tuesday’s hearing was a nine-member affair in which attorneys representing lawmakers were heard arguing about the bill-reading device. Jay Hughes (D-Oxford) sued Speaker Philip Gunn (R-Clinton) to stop the use of a program that uses computers to read bills at an uncomprehensible speed. Hughes claimed that the sound produced was like a “demonchipmunk” and infringed on state Constitution requirements. The 1890 Mississippi Constitution provides that bills must be read by legislators when requested. This requirement was created to make it easy for illiterate legislators to understand the issues they were voting on. The rule was used in modern times primarily to allow members of the minority, other than a filibuster, to slow down legislative proceedings. Several Democrats requested that bills be read during the regular session this year as a protest against Gunn’s actions, which included steps that they claimed were blocking them from participating in the legislative process. Gunn instructed House clerks that the automated readings be read at a speed so difficult to comprehend that it was almost impossible to keep the House on time. Hughes was granted a temporary restraining or, which required Gunn to slow down the speed of his machine. The Supreme Court, however, refused to give any reasons and blocked the order just a few days later. Mike Wallace, Gunn’s lawyer, claimed that the Mississippi Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction over the internal affairs and decisions of the Legislature. This branch of government has equal power to the supreme state court as per the state Constitution. Ray Hill, Hughes’ lawyer, said that the court could intervene because Hughes’ individual rights as legislators are violated by reading bills too quickly to understand. Justice Leslie King was the only African American judge on the court. He asked Gunn’s lawyer if Gunn would be allowed to speak out if an internal rule is made by the Legislature that is racially discriminatory. Wallace stated that while a race-based policy is “disgusting,” the Mississippi Constitution does not address King’s scenario. Justice Dawn Beam asked Hughes his attorney why Hughes should micromanage Mississippi’s Legislature. Hughes replied that it could be dangerous for the court to interfere in legislative affairs. Justice Michael Randolph suggested, along with other lawmakers, that the Legislature clarify the constitution in order to avoid future conflicts. Hughes stated to reporters after the hearing that he wanted the court to order Gunn to read bills at a reasonable speed. Hughes stated that he wanted the court to remand this case to a lower court in order to create a record, which would include exhibits. The Supreme Court has no record of the court hearing because Hughes was sided by the original judge. The court will issue its decision at a later time.