Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-05-16
In the House.

WASHINGTON, May 15.-At the opening
of the house this morning there was an unu-
sually small attendance of members on either
side of the chamber, indicating that the ex-
pected marshaling of the Democratic forces
was not yet complete. As soon as the read
ing of yesterdays journal was concluded the
question was raised whether the senate reso-
luton for the final adjournment of the ses-
sion was not question of higher privilege
than the pending question of Mr.. Potter &
resolution.
Mr.. Hale suggested that it was matter to
be decided by the house.
The speaker, in reply to Mr.. Wood, gave it
as his opinion that the question of final adj
lournment was a question of privilege be-
tween the two houses, somewhat analogous
to a report of a conference committee, which
had always been held to be question of the
highest privilege, taking precedence even OF
a motion to adjourn. In this instance con-
sideration Of that question had been post
poned till to-day, and it now comes up.
Mr.. Hale-As of the highest privilege?
The Speaker-As of the highest privilege
between those two questions.
Mr.. Wood thereupon called up the senate
concurrent resolution for final adjournment,
and moved that its consideration be post
poned till Wednesday, May 29th. He also
moved the previous question.
Mr.. Garfield hoped Mr.. Wood would state
his reasons for the postponement.
Mr.. Wood said if the house desired it, and
if there was no objection, he would state his
reasons very briefly. .
Calls for the regular order from the Demo-
cratic side. Then" said Mr.. Wood, 81 must
insist on the previous question"
Mr.. Garfeld-The gentleman has right
to make his statement before he moves the
previous question.
The Speaker-The gentleman from New
l. 10 Ii
The previous question was seconded ia to
81 and the motion to postpone was agreed
to-yeas, l3O; nays, l06. A strict party
vote.
Mr.. Bridges asked unanimous consent to
offer q resolution calling for information in re-
gard to the claim of Carlos Butterfeld against
the government of Denmark, but demand
for the regular order was promptly interposed
by MIR. Blackburn, and the regular order was
announced by the speaker to be on the Sec
ending of the previous question op the reso-
luton offered by Mr.. Potter on Monday last.
The speaker put the question to a standing
vote, and announced that the ayes appeared
to have it Ql8 In the afirmative), whereupon
a call for division was made by Mr.. Hale,
and that gentleman and Mr.. Potter were APP
pointed tellers, who reported-ayes, 12l;
noes, 1-Hale's own vote, and then the OBJ
lection of no quorum, Mr.. Speaker, came
from Mr.. Hale, and was recognized by the
chair.
Then motion for call of the house was
made by Mr.. Hale, and was ordered. The
call proved the presence of two hundred and
sixty members. Further proceedings under
the call were then dispensed with.
Mr.. Hale-Will the gentleman from New
York Potter listen to me for moment?
Mr.. Kenna-I demand the regular order.
The question required on seconding the
demand for the previous question, and the
Republicans retaining from voting, and the
Democrats being unable to muster more than
one hundred and twenty, the house was again
left without a quorum.
and directed the speakers attention to rule
81 of the house.
The speaker directed the rule to be read.
1t provides that every member who shall be
in the house when the question is put shall
give his vote, unless the house shall excuse
him.
Mr.. Caldwell-The language of that rule
is imperative. 1t says that every member
present shall vote.
Mr.. Fort-I suggest that we are all paired
on this side of the house.
Mr.. CALDWELL call attention to the fact
that Mr.. Cannon is present, has failed to
vote, and has not been excused.
The Chair-This is not a new difficulty.
The chair has caused the rule to be read,
in that direction. In other words, he knows
of no physical, even by means of the SER
geant alarms, or through any persuasive
power which he possesses laughter to COM
rel the gentleman to vote. But if the gen.
tleman from Tennessee caldwell will lndl
cate way, the chair will cause it to be fol-
lowed.
Mr.. CALDWELL suggest that the chair can
order the sergeant-at- arms to arrest any
member who disregards the rule, and carry
him between the tellers. [Derisive laughter,
and cries of Suppose you let him try it,
from the Republican side.
Mr.. Mills called attention to Speaker
Blaine's ruling in the forty-frst congress,
when the Democrats were flibustering
against the civil rights bill, that 'you could
bring horse to water, but you could not
make him drink"
Mr.. Beebe-I desire to ask my colleague
Potter why he does not proceed to enforce
the attendance of absent members under
call, instead of moving TO dispense with all
further proceedings under call.
Mr.. Potter-I will answer my colleague
that we have not and cannot bring quorum
of Democrats here to-day, and we passed yes
terday a JOINT resolution for the adjournment
of both houses tomorrow at four o'clock, by
virtue of which all proceedings under the call
would terminate at that time, without there
being any chance for bringing in absent
members.
Mr.. Beebe-Then l hope when we meet
after tomorrow, that an order will be issued
to bring in absentees on both sides, so as to
put an end to pairs.
Cries of This is not quorum, from the
Republican side. Another call of the house
was ordered and showed the presence of two
hundred and sixty-three members, and, on
motion of Mr.. Cox, further proceedings were
dispensed with.
Mr.. Cox, now | move that the house ad-
journ, in order to give our Republican friends
chance to get back In their seats. Re-
jected.
Another vote was taken on a second de-
mand for the previous question, which result
ed IN one hundred and three votes, and a
point of no quorum was made by Mr.. Hale.
Mr.. Wood moved to adjourn.
The motion to adj ourn was defeated-yeas,
79; nays, l07-the Republicans voting solid
ly against it, and being reinforced by a num-
Der of Democrats.
After another Intellectual attempt to secure
quorum the house, on motion of Mr.. Potter,
adjourned without division.
The clerk gave notice of Republican eau
Gus to be held Immediately. This announce
ment was received with roars of derisive
laughter and clappinR of hands on the Dem
ocratic side, and with demonstrations of tri-
umPh and defiance on the Republican side
There was for few moments great excite
mont hut ha a,a,a-ao al