The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-30
THE HOUSE DEADLOCK.
THE LONG AGONY OvER.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-The flag at the
| House end was hauled down this morning al
| 10 o'clock, and the session, which had lasted
nearly fifty hours, ended. The Democrats
claim that the victory is theirs.
The end began early in the morning, wheE
| Gen. Butler moved that when the House ad
| journ it adjourn to meet on Saturday. This
| was carried, reconsdered. and laid upon the
| table, Some of the Republicans claimed that
| this was a notice to the Democrats that the
| Republicans would surrender at the latest on
| SATURDAY. noon, and that consequently the Dem
| ocrats had only to sustain themselves until
| then. Gen. Buffers motion was carried be-
| yond further reconsideration.
The fiual adjournment was carried by what
most of the Republicans claim was mistake.
Gen. Butler had gone to breakfast, leaving the
Republican management in charge ofMr. Ward
of Chicago. A call of the House was ordered.
The Sergeant-at-Arms had produced fifteen
| members before the bar and they were dis
charged. Twenty other members were being
arraigned at the bar. when MIR. Yard stated
that the session had demonstrated that there
was necessity for new rule, and that all
that either nature or glory required had been
accomplished. ......... ......, -.
This melton took the Sergeaut-at-A off
his feet. If he had been permitted to make
return of the members then under arraign-
ment there would have been more than quo
rum. The motion, however, was passed, and
carried by about fifteen majority The fifteen
ocrats, carried it. The great bulk of the Re-
publicans present voted against adjournment.
One point, at least, has been gained by the
Adjournment If the session had continued
until few minutes before twelve O'Clock on
Monday, the Democrats, upon the re-assemb-
ling for the Monday session, would have in
sisted upon the reading of the vOuminous
journal of the continued Wednesdays session
The journal would pf necessity have been read
if there had been single objection to dispens-
cuoh conditions had
arisen the reading of the journal would have
occupied the entire day (Monday), so that the
opportunity to adopt a new rule or to pass the
civil rights bill by two-thirds vote would
have been lest for another week.
1t is the present intention of the Republicans
to devote to-morrow's session to the reading of
the journal, and to permit no legislation This
will prevent the Democrats from wasting Mon
day.
At 9 o'clock in the evening a call of the
House was about to be ordered. This fact was
telegraphed down town and some thirty mem
beers who were at Fernando Woods party ap
peared in the House. making the necessary
quorum. DiiatOry motions continued until 1.5O
a. M, when the want of a quorum was devel-
oped and Mr. Maynard moved a call OF the
House. which was lost ....f
At three o'clock motion for call was
made. Fatigue had SO worn upon many of the
older men that about twenty-five were excused
for sickness and other causes. Three times the
The Speaker for the first time left the chair
and took the floor. He was very much in
earnest. He said he had never known an in
stance where call of the House had shown
quorum that the absentees had been sent for.
The House had all the power it could have
after dragging hundred members from their
beds. He desired that the record should show
some reason for sending for the absentees. He
wanted the record to show that the precedent
of ordinary prudence and common sense had
been followed
Mr. Clymer of Pennsylvania and Mr.. Hawley
of Connecticut contended that the House had
right to send for absentees, regardless of the
fact that a quorum was present
The Speaker said he did not question the
power of the House. Two hundred and ninety
members could compel the attendance of the
other two, but what good could come from it?
Judge Poland, later became indignant He
said when these proceedings commenced it was
known that it was a struggle of endurance, and
it was we'll understood that those who were alb
here last night an opportunity to obtain some
rest. but the same men that were absent last
night were again absent tonight. He had
been here all through and in view of the ac-
ton lust taken he did not feel called upon to
stand up any longer. He therefore moved that
the House do now adjourn. Disagreed to.
The excuses of members upon being brought
to the bar upon the call of the House, were
ye1y amusing One had been detailed to go
home and rest and was SICK Besides, he was
paired. Another went home for a change OF
linen. Another went home for a change of
linen and oversight himself One had yielded
to the first law of nature. Another sought
more comfortable lodgings.