New-York tribune., 1879-05-28
ADJOURNMENT JUNE TENTH.
A VOTE IN THE WAYS AND MEANS CoMAuTTEE-THE
MEETING STORMY ONE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRmusE.i


[BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIBUsE.i
WASHINGTON, May 27.-The Committee on Ways
and Means held an important meeting this morning.
and took action on the subject of adjournment. The
meeting was a stormy one. motion was made to
adopt concurrent resolution to be reported to the
House fixing June 10 as the date of adjournment
To this resolution Representative COnger offered an
amendment providing that adjournment on that
date shall depend on the previous passage of the
Appropriation bills.
Chairman Fernando Wood refused to entertain
this motion on the ground that it would leave the
whole matter undecided.
Mr.. Conger characterized Mr.. Woods action as
Unprecedented. The Speaker of the House, he said,
repeatedly and uniformly ruled that a member
might at the proper time offer any amendment to a
measure under consideration, and have it voted
upon. He again demanded a vote on his amend
ment. The chairman refused to put the question.
Mr. Conger then formally protested against this
ruling and insisted that his protest, together with
the decision of the chairman, should be entered
the minutes Of tho committee, saying that he might
want to use this record in the House. The House
being in session, and the presence of Represen-
tatves Frye aud COngcr being required there, they
left the cOmmittee-rOom and were not present when
the resolution adopted.
Mr.. FELTON,, OF Georgia, strongly opposed the reso-
luton on the ground that If passed by the House
the Senate might leave it on the table until within
two hours of the time fixed for adjournment, and
then pass it. thus leaving the House opportunity
TO reconsider its own action if it should desire to do
so. Another objection, being one which was urged
by Mr.. Copgep and another member, was that in the
event of a failure to pass the Appropriation bills
before the date fixed 1t would be In the power of
thirty members of the House. by resOrting to dIla-
tory tactics to prevent reconsideration OF the reso-
luton.
Chairman Wood, in reply to a question to-day,
said that some Republicans and some Democrats
voted for and some against the resolution, but he
declined to state the ground of opposition to it, The
only Republican member of the committee present
when the vote was taken was Mr.. Dunnell, of Min
nesota and it is understood that he voted for the
resolution on the assurance given by the Demo-
cratic members OF the committee that Congress
would not adjourn before voting the necessary APP
preparations. 1t IS hard to understand why the
Democrats, if they gave these assurances in good
faith, were not willing to admit Mr.. COnger's
amendment, which will have no effect If their as
surances arc carried out
Representatives FELTON,, of Georgia, and Mills, of
Texas, both voted against the resolution Tor the
reasons before given. Those who voted fort besides
Mr.. Dunnell were Fernando Wood, Mr.. Gibson. Mr..
Phelps, Mr.. Morrison ana Slr tarIlse' MI luchei'
of Virginia, was paired with General Garfield, who
has gone to Ohio. Judge Kelley, who Is a member
of the committee, was also absent.
Mr. Wood said today that he had not yet made
up his mind when TO report the resolution TO the
House but he ntimated that he would soon do so.
The Democrats on the Ways and Means Commit
fee NAV believe and desire that the Appropriation
bills shall be passed before adjournment, but by
their action to-day they have played INTO the hands
of the revolutionary wing of their party ana placed
il IN the power the latter to force adjournment
before these bills have become laws. The resolu-
ton will evoke lively discussion when 1t comes up
for action in the House.
There are l19 members absent from the House
Tonight either with or without leave. OF this
number nearly 100 are Democrats. At this rapid
rate of decrease tho question of adjournment on
June 10 will perhaps solve ITSELF as it will be i'm
possible to retain quorum even with both parties
for the transaction of business.