Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-16

to be on seconding the previous question, on the
resolution offered by Mr.. Potter, on Monday last
The Speaker put the question to Q stauding vote,
and announced the ayes sppesred 10 have II, lis
In the affirmative, whereupon the call for divis-
| ION was made by Hale, and that gentleman and
Potter were appointed tellers.
=, The teliers reported the ayes were l2l noes |,
Hale own vote, and then the objection, mo quo
rum, Mr.: Speaker" came from Hale, and was rec
ognlzed BY the chair.
Then the motion for q call of the House made
| by Hale, was ordered
The call proved the presence of 260 members
Further proceedings under the call were then dis
pensed with.
Mr.. Hale-wnl the gentleman from New York
(Potter) listen to me for q moment!
Mr.. kenna-I demand the regular order
The question recur ed on the seconding the de-
msnd for the previous question. and the republi-
cans refraining from voting and the democrats be-
ing unable to muster more than 100, the House
again was without quorum.
Mr.. Caldwell, rising to 9 question of order d.
rected the Speakers attention to rule 81 of the
House.
The Speaker directed the rule to be read 1t
provides that every member of the House. who
shall be in the House when the question is put,
him.
Mr.. Caldwell-Tbe language of that rule is i'm
peratlve 1t says that every member present shall
vote.
Mr.. Fort-I suggest we are all paired on this
aide of the House.
Mr.. Caldwel-I call attention to the fact that
Mr.. Cannon is present and has failed to vote aud
| lot been excused.
speaker-This is not a new difficulty. The
CHAIR has caused the rule to be read, which is the
extent, he thinks, of his power in that direction.
10 other words, he knows OF no physical way, even
by means of the Sergeant-at arms, or through any
persuasive power which be possesses, daughter
to compel gentlemen to vote but if the gentle
Tpnnasaaa fN.ld hu,i1l id,
way, the chair will cause it to be followed.
CALDWELL suggest that the chair can order the
Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest any members who
disregard the rule, and carry him between the tel
ers.
This was followed by derisive laughter, and
cries of suppose you let him try it," from the
publican side.
Mr.. Mills called attention to Speaker Blaine's
ruling 10 the 4lst Congress, when the democrats
were flbustering against the civil rights bill :,
that you could bring horse to water, but you
couldn't make him drink"
MIR. Beebt-l desire to ask my colleague, pot
teri. why he does not proceed to enforce the at
tendance Of absent members under the call, in
stead of NOV ing to dispense with all further pro-
ceedngs under the call
Mr.. Potter-l will answer my colleague that we
have not aud cannot bring quorum Of democrats
here to day, and we passed yesterday joint re o.
luton for the adjournment Of the Houses to NOR
row, at o'clock, by virtue Of which all proceed
q
without there being an opportunity for bringing
in absent members.
Mr.. Beebe-Then hope that when we meet to-
moro that an order will be issued to bring in ab-
sentees on both sides, to put an end to pair
ers.
[Cries of This i, not quorum" from the re-
publican side
Another call of the House was ordered, and
showed the presence of 263 members, and on mo-
ton of Mr.. Cox Of New York, further proceedings
were dispensed with.
Mr. Cox-New move that the House adjourn
10 order to give our republican friends q chance to
get back to their seats.
Rejected.
Another vote was taken on secondiug the de-
msnd for the previous question, which resulted
100 to |, and the point of no quorum was again
made by Mr.. Hale.
Mr.. Wood moved to adjourn, which was defeat
cd-ysas ~, nays l06; the republicans voting SOL
IDLY against it, and being reL forced by q number
of democrats.
After another Intellectual attempt to secure .
quorum, the House. on motion of Mr.. Potter, at
80 p. NJ, adjourned without division.
The clerk gave notice of republican caucus to
be held Immediately. This snnou ncement was re-
ceved with laughter and clapplng of hands on the
democi attic side, and with demo nstrations of tri-
umph and defiance on the republican side. There
was, Tor a few minutes, great excite Mt. but
gradually the audience and democrats withdrew,
leaving the republicans in possession of the cham
her.