Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-05-17
FORTEEIFTH CONGRESS-.
FRIDAY. Nav IL.

FRIDAY, May IL.
SENATE.-Mr. Ferry, from the committee
on post offices and post roads, reported the
annual post route bill. Referred to commit.
tee on the calendar.
Mr.. Morrill, presented a memorial of the
National Prohioition Association of the Dis
hibit the sale Of alcoholic liquors in the Bis
trlct of Columbia. Referred to committee on
the District of Columbia.
MI. lngaHs, from the committee on the Dis
tIlct OF Columbia, reported bill to create
revenue for the District of Columbia by a tax
on dogs; Placed on the calendar.
MIR. Harris, from the same committee, re-
ported bill for the settlement of the tax
zen M certlhcates enormously issued. Placed on
Mr.. Dennis introduced bill to pay the
Neuchatel Rock Paving Company, a sum of
money ($36O) withheld by the Secretary OF the
ne;s;aty nhieaSuty' Referred to committee on the
MI Davis (West Va.) offered resolution
authorizing the select committee on the books
and accounts of the Treasury department to
SIT during the recess of Congress-
- Mr. dorsey presented memorial from John
Pope Hodnett asking an appropriation of
$1,000 to feed the hungry poor of the District.
felerred TO committee on the District of Co
lumbia
Mr.. Howe offered resolution instructing
The committee on rules to consider and report
on the propriety of SO amending the rules so
as to admit heads of department 10 the floor of
the, Senate during the sessions.
MT. Morrill, objected to the present cOnSid-
cratlon OF The resolution, and it went over
under the rules.
On motion of Mr.. Sargent, it was ordered
mat When the Senate adjournS to-day it be to
meet on Monday.
The regular order was then resumed. being
the bill to incorporate the Suburban Railroad
Company of the District of Columbia which
came over as the unfinished business from yes
terdaY.
Mr.. COnklng objected to the bill, as it per-
mltted the use OF steam engines as motive
power.
Mr.. Morrill, also objected to the bill. and
complained of the chaos and confusion which
characterized the street railways of Washing
After further debate
A motion by Mr. Morrill, to recommit the
bill was rejected; yeas IS, nays24.
HOUSE.-There was a very small atten-
dance on both sides of the House this morn
ing, but there was q large attendance i'm the
galleries.
On motion OF Mr.. Sparks. the Indian appro-
preparation bill with the Senate amendments
was taken from the Speakers table and
committee OF conference was requested Oh the
Mr.. Wood and Mr.. Potter demanded the
regular order, and on division Oh seconding
the demand for the previous question the
Chalr counted 81 in the affirmative and one in
The point was made that there was no
quorum and the Speaker appointed as tellers
MeSSrs. Potter and Hale.
MIR. Potter reported I'D in the affirmative
and one in the negative.
MI. Hale disputed the report and reported
~ III the affirmative and none in the mega
tive.
Mr.. POtter:-The gentleman from Maine is
here as teller.
Tie Speaker announced 122 in the affirma
tive and one in the negative making 123 pres
ent
Mr.. Hale first made the point that there was
no quorum, and then said the Speaker must
take the responsibility OF reporting one voting
In the negative.
The Speaker was prepared to take that re-
Mr. COnger wanted it understood that the
Chair had decided otherwise than as the telers
reported.
was teller and was present.
Mr.. Conger.-But the gentleman cannot be
forced TO vote unless he wants to.
-, Mr: Hale said he was appointed a teller by
the Speaker to count the members who passed
between the tellerS. He counted the members
WIZ %Lo pas passed through the tellers, and he never
report made by Mr.. Potter. As member he
claimed the right to vote or not vote, as other
members, nj and Mr.. Potter could not say that
Mr.. Potter said he and the gentleman from
Maine had acted as tellers many times this
week, and the gentleman was always before
Mr.. Hale replied that he had not objected
te before a but he purposely neglected to vote on
'hss NJ pGeaSion: Patter :,,d tho oont,o, MO, ,,;,.
present. The other gentlemen were con.
structiyely absent.
Ihe Speaker said the gentleman was a
teller, and the presumption was that he was
present, and he was counted.
MI. Hale.-The rule requires that those
present and voting shall make up the quorum
The Speaker-It was an accepted fact that
the gentleman was present, and the gentleman
from New York reported him as voting.
Mr. Hale.-SuppOse he had reported me as
voting in the affirmative?
The Speaker-That would have been mani
feStly other than the truth
MIR. Hale.-NOr is it true that voted at ALL
Mr.. Garfield argued that the gentleman could
not be compelled to vote: or be recorded if he
clared that he had not voted.
Mr. Conger made the point that the report
OF the tellerS must agree, and the House
could no not accept the report unless they did.
MI Potter said he would put an end to this
discussion by amending the report and re-
porting none in the negative, and he would
now demand call OF the House.
Mr. Hale'S refusal to vote was because the
democrats had got so near quorum that one
vote might have determined the question.
On the call of the House 25S members an
Swered.
MIR Potter moved to dispense with further
proceedings under the call, but gave notice
that II quorum did not appear on the next
vote to SlcOnd the demand for the previous
question he would ask that the cali of the
House be enforced, and that the abSenteeS be
brought in: He then demnnded the regular
order: Subsequent proceedings are reported
ELSEWHERE under the heading "a lively time in