The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-25
UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO PUSH THE
CHAMELEON RAILROAD BILL
THROUGH THE HOUSE.
REVOLUTIONARY SCHEMES OF THE
BUChTAILS.
THEY ARE MET AND REPULSED
AT EVERY POINT.
THEY GIVE UP AND ALLOW THE BILL
TOGO TO A COMMITTEE.
GRAVE DOCRTS AS TO ITS CONSTI-
TUTIONALITY.

bill No. 46, amending the charter and
changing the name of the Alexandria and
Fredericksburg Railroad Company" with
amendments.
NOVEL PROPOSITION.
Mr.. HUDG1N arose to move that the bill,
as amended. be not referred.
The SPEAKER That will require two
thirds vote.
Mr.. HUDGIN: think, sir, that under my
motion q two-thirds vote is not required, as
do not ask for the suspension Of the rules.
I merely ask that, In accordance with the
44th rule, the message from the Senate be
not referred.
DON'T SEE THE POINT.
The SPEAKER: The chair utterly fails to
see the point. The bill cannot be taken up
without a suspension Of the rules.
Mr.. BUDD came to MIR. Hudgin's relief, and
attempted to make the point more appa.
rent.
Mr.. WooD: Do understand the Speaker
as ruling that suspension of the rules is
necessary
EXACTLY THAT.
The SPEAKER: Certainly, sir; the rule is
very plain. The only way to accomplish
the object Of the member from Caroline
(Mr. Hudgin) is to move a suspension ol
the rules.
A REMARKABLE APPEAL.
Mr.. WooD: Then l appeal from the de.
cision Of the Chair.
Mr.. ARNETT, of Clarke, protested against
such an irregular and improper manner Of
accomplishing the objects of the friends Of
this bill There was no real ground for IN
appeal. No member of the House can
have really any serious doubt as to the
entire propriety of the ruling Of the Chair
TO take an appeal under such circum
stances is to show lawess disregard of the
rules, and the effect will be to set Il pre-.
cedent which may hereafter enable bare
majority to override the rules Of the House
at any time, utterly III violation Of estab'
lished parliamentary principles. He also
urged the Importance of referring the bill.
as it had been amended in very important
particulars, and should not be pushed
through the House in unseemly haste.
Mr.. THURMAN spoke to the same effect,
and had the floor when
THE MORNING HOUR EXPIRED.
Mr.. MCCAuLL moved to postpone the
calling of the calendar until the subject
under consideration was disposed of. The
motion was agreed to-yeas, 81 nays, a.
THE ArPEAL AGAIN.
Mr.. THURMAN resumed his argument in
support of the decision Of the chair. The
motion of the member from Caroline Mr..
Hudeinl was, he said, founded upon the
fllmsiest preteXt imaginable.
Mr.. HANGER doubted whether there had
ever before been before the House of Dele
gates of Virginia a motion to suspend 4
rule so important by mere majority vote.
He cared not whit about the bill, but was
anxious that the integrity of the rules OF
the House should be preserved. The rules
distinctly prohibit bill being considered
before being examined by committee.
Certainly nothing less than two-thirds
vote should be required to suspend this
time -honored custom.
Mr.. DANIEL, of Lynchburg, thought his
railroad friends had caught something of
the inspiration Of the steam of their fast
lines, and wished to push this bill through
by lightning express train, without stop
ping even for a moment ut a committee
way station. He exposed the sophism OF
the proposition of Alr. IIudgin, and eX-
pressed his confidence that a majority of
the House would not be misled.
Mr.. HUDGIN excitedly defended his prop
osition, and expressed the fear that unless
he was sustained the bill would be smoth-
cred in committee.
Mr.. PoPHAM also ingeniousy defended
the appeal.
GREAT THREATS.
Mr.. WOoD assumed 4 more hostile atti-
tude. He expressed his intention to push
this bill through, rule or no rule, believing
that the minority were trying to defeat the
will of the majority by mere technicality.
He accepted the gauge Of defiance. More
than that, he would use his efforts, and he
was satisfied that he would be sustained by
Il majority of the members, to cause per-
feet deadlock in legislation until the bill is
passed.
THE THREATENING MEMBER C0RNERED.
MIR. Guy: l ask the gentleman if he
really believes that the true construction
Of the rule is that given by the gentleman
rom Caroline?
Mr.. WooD: The gentleman from Rich
nond must gather my meaning from what
have said.
Mr.. GUY: Does the gentleman decline
70 say what is his real opinion upon this
appeal?
Mr.. WooD: | repeat that the gentle
man must place his own construction upon
what have said. ~
Mr.. PooRE: We understand him. He
wants his way, rule or no rule.
AN NOTORIOUS RETREAT.
Dir. WooD Having accomplished my
purpose in showing the minority that they
,annot defeat the majority in this matter,
withdraw the appeal.
Mr. THURMAN Mr.. Speaker, must OBJ
ect. The gentleman has no right to crack
lis whip
The SPEAKER The gentleman from Bed
ord is out Of order.
Mr.. THURMAN: ] say, sir, he has no right