The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-27
Republican Schemes to Gag the Minor
ity in Congress and Plumber the
Treasury.

On Saturday last the Republican sena-
tors and representatives at Washington, Il
exasperated at their continued defeats and
at the rising indignation of the country
against their party, and believing this to be
their last winter of power, held caucus
and resolved to put a gag on the minority
so that they could carry through their
schemes of plumber Under the present
rules it requires a two-thirds' vote to sus-
pend the rules on Mondays, while on the
other days of the week a minority strong |
enough to order the yeas and pays has the
power to make dilatory motions, and so de-
| Law legislation that the majority must mod
lily its projects. Heretofore the Republi-
cans, arrogant in the possession Of two
thirds majority, have been content to abide
by the old rules, conscious that on Mon
DAYS they could hustle through any meas
ure of importance to the party. But the
ltwo-t thirds majority OF last session has
, weakened badly since the tall elections.
, The party representatives are SO democrat
lied that it has been found impossible to
unite them in anything. Some OF the most
rabid of them are as likely to vote with
: the Democrats as with former associates
D | on any bill while there is not solitary
measure on which there Is ghost OF a
chance to combine the Republican vote.
A majority, however, remains, and it is
y vindictive of heart and lean of pocket. 1t
q has been determined to stamp out opposi
i ton, and clear all the cash possible between
now and adjournment day.
Old Chorpenning Cessna, OF Pa, was
e put forward to offer resolution to change
/ the rule, but it brought out indignant pro.
q tests from the Democrats and few Re
publicans, among the latter Messrs. Mer
Is Ram, Kasson, and Smith, Of Ohio. Reject
y ed-15O yeas, SO nays-nOt two-thirds IL
J. the affirmative.
, This resolution, prepared by the Repub
lican caucus Saturday, was intended as {
gateway to the accumulated rascality 0
l. the Radicals. It is denounced by old poll
1t ticians of both parties as one Of the mos
l. Infamous attacks on the rights of minor
Il ity ever attempted in congress. Wors
a even than this is the fact that, had the res
"a olution passed, it would have opened al
ts easy way for the immediate driving through
y of every grab on the treasury now befor
&c either branch of congress. When the ia
q tai announcement was maQe III Cne LOBBY
g one of the most elaborate Of the Chorpen
y ming danes threw up her hands and ex
&c claimed, ''That's the end of our hopes fo
is one year, anyhow
- Then Beast Butler, of Massachusetts,
" moved to suspend the rules and take fron
le the speakers table the senate civil right
Id bill for consideration at the present tim
V and continuously till the final disposition
h thereof and that no dilatory motions b
- allowed until such bill and amendment
ne have been finally disposed of. A direc
It. vote on the motion resulted: Yeas 147
he nays 93-not wo-thirds in the affirmative
II So the motion was defeated The Repub
~ licans voting no were Messrs. Butler, o
Ct Tennessee, Harrison, Hyde, Lohand, Lown
I'd des, Maynard, Sener, Sheats. Sloan, Smith
lis of Virginia, Stanard, Strait and Thorn
to burg.
MORE CAUCUsSING.
- WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-The senate RI
g, publcans held a caucus tonight with
Ii view to retrieve the defeat by the house {
he their caucus action ON Saturday nigh
- There was much debate, but several lei
,.u declaring that they would not be bound b
10y the caucus action. 1t is said the onl
d. conclusion was resolution instructing tn
MS judiciary committee to report the civ
rights bill in its order, that the bill be ope
%. to amendment, and after three hours dc
w. bate that the previous question be moved
no and to force vote even if a forty eigh
on hours session is necessary.
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