Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-05-14
THE FLORIDA RESOLUTION.
The Struggle in the HOuse.

1he Florida election inquiry resolution.
offered by Representative Potter, of New
York, yesterday, will hardly be passed without
prOtracted session of the House. The re-
publlcanS will almost solidly oppose its passage
unless unless, Mr.. Potter accepts the amendment
oHered by Mr.: Hale, which includes within
t the scope Of the contemplated investigation
the alleged Oregon fraud, in which Cronin
ana ms nose are prominent features, and an
inquiry into the election frauds in Mississippi.
The democrats will not allow the amendment
to be made to the pending resolution, but say
mat II Mr. Hale will submit it as an indepen-
dent proposition they will vote for it.
DEMCCRATIC CONFERENCE LAST NIGHT.
The leading democrats held conference
last night at which it was decided to pass the
resolution as reported il it takes all summer.
REPUBLICAN TACTICS.
ne republicans forced the democrats to ask
LOT an adjournment yesterday, by refusing to
quorum. 1t takes 147 members to make a
quorum: The full democratic representation
In the House exceeds that number, but they
We're not IN the city. 1t will take AZ votes to
pass the resolution, because if a direct vote
comes on the question of passing it, and the
democrats can only muster LAG votes in its
favor, and the republicans refuse to vote. the
point that no quorum has voted can still be
made What the democrats most want now is
l4I democratic (unpaired) votes. These can
not be mustered for day or two, it is thought,
and even then II the republicans choose delay,
and they can resort to the usual illibustering
practices allowed under the rules, and delay
the passage OF the resolution.
THE SHORT SESSION OF THE HOUSE TO-DAY.
Immediately after the reading of the jour
nal today Mr.. Potter, of New York, moved to
second the demand for the previous question
on his resolutions introduced yesterday. All
refused to vote, and the presence of a quorum
by the vote was not developed. Then followed
call of the House, and 245 members respond
ed to their names. all the republicans voting.
Again was the motion put to second the de-
mand to order the main question on the resO-
luton. and l13 democrats voted in the affirm
atlve: but again did the republicans refrain
present. Mr.. Luttrel, of California asked the
Speaker how the gentleman from Maine (Mr
Hale) could raise the point that no quorum
wa was present Wheh ne refused toYote, and it did
Speaker Randall said that that was for the
gentleman from Maine to determine. and not
the chair Mr. Wood. of New York, at ten
minutes before Il o'clock, said that it was an
parent that the minority of the House intend
ed to ObStruct legislation, and he moved to
adjourn. which was carried by yeas 120 NAYS
lo4 caucus OF the democratic members was
called to meet at once.
THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS THIS AFTERNOON.
The object of holding the caucus is to get all
expression Of opinion as to whether it IS best
10 allow Mr.. Hale'S amendment to be offered
and then vote it down. Some of the democrats
iaVCr this course but there are others who
i hold that It will place the party at disadvan-
tage to vote down the amendment, and that it
IS better for the democrats to wait until
quorum of their members arrive, and then
pass the Potter resolution as it is !: and then.
II the republicans SO desire, let them offer the
Hale amendment as a separate proposition.
The whole number of democrats present in
the House this morning, including the Speak
adjournment $50 voted; but nine who were
paired, OF course did not vote, although pres
emf. 1t will require 147 members to prevent
the republicans from keeping the advantage
they have thus far gained through the a6.
sence of quorum.