New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-21
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
A DEADLOCK IN THE HOUSE.

THE DEMOCRATS ATTEMPTING TO GAG THE REPUB-
LICAHs AND PREVENT DEBATE ON THR DEF
Cheney BILL TIE STRUGGLE TO BE Con-
TISUED TO-DAY.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUNEl
WARRINGTON April 20-If the Democrats IN the
House of Representatives adhere, some of them
threaten to do to the tactics which they used to-
day, nobody can predict how long it will take 10
dispose oil the Immediate Defciencyibill' The DEM
ocrats having met with such success IN muzzIlhg
themselves have now set out to gag the Republicans
as well.
When Mr.. Mcmahon called up that measure at
O'clock to-day, he moved that all general debate be
closed in five minutes
General Garfield and Mr.. COnger remarked that
the Republicans desired some time to debate the
BILL and the latter gentleman suggested that al
hour and half should be allowed.
Mr. Mcmahon refused to agree to this ana IN
dulged in some remarks about the urgency OF the
case 1t was matter of mercy, he sad to the crews
of the ice-imprisoned whalers that the bill, which
conta ned an appropriation for their relief should
be passed Immediately.
Mr.. McMahons whine about the whalers was
purely demagOgic and he could not help knowing
it. Mr. Mcmahon knew all about the condition OF
the whaling crews five weeks ago, whom this bill
first passed the House. He couldnot have forgotten
it when the bill came back from the Senate nearly
three weeks ago, and yet he. having charge of the
BILL allowed it TO sleep in committee for two weeks
or more before he asked the House TO take action
upon it, In the face of all this his refusal to allow
the Republicans moro than five minutes in which to
discuss the bill was no less than impudent.
quorum did not vote upon Mr.. McMahOn's five
minute proposition. After an hour had been spent
in q vain attempt to bulldoze' the minority,
Mr. Hiscock arose and said that the Republicans
would be satisfied with one hour, aud that time
they meant to have.
After a while Mr.. Mcmahon said that If the Re-
publicans would give General Garfield twenty min
ues out of the hour he would agree this PROPOSE
ton.
He was informed by Mr.. Conger and others THAI
the Republicans could manage their own afaiCs
without his assistance. Various efforts were made
to reach some agreement, but all were futile. No
quorum could be fOund to vote upon Mr.. McMahOns
motion to close the debate IN five minutes, although
a number of attempts made.
Mr.. Reagan and several other Southern Demo
Gratis grew ugly because the Republicans refused
to surrender their right to be heard, and Mr..
Reagan declared, with considerable nspcrty, that
he was tired of seeing minority dictate terms TO
the majority. For one, he said, no would not sub
NIT to 1t any longer, and would sit there two weeks
to prevent it.
Speaker Randall was not in the chair during the
afternoon proceedings, and that place was occupied
by Mr.. Townshend, of Illinois. This was some
what of a relief. IL some such place could also be
found for Mr.. Finley, OF Ohio the proceedings
would be less mOnOtOnOus in one respect.
Toward the close of the afternoon now parlia-
mentary leader came to the front on the Demo
cratic side in the person of Mr.. Klotz of Pennsyl
wanna. Nr. Klotz heavy statesman, weighing
some 800 pounds. With his ample form, his auburn
hair and beard, and a cOuntenance indicating u
large store of good-humOr, Mr.. KlOz makes very
picturesq que leader. The fact that he is a MEN,
Der and not very familiar with the rules Of the
House does not detract in the least from his quail
fcatons as n Democratic parliamentary leader
After wasting three hours and half. about thrice
as much time as the Republicans had asked for de-
bate the House took until this evening and
left the Deficiency bill just where it was tins morn
ing.
til they Oban their right TO discuss the bill. The
justice of their demand cannot be questioned, es-
peciaily in view OF the fact that 4lr. MCMahOn
claim an additional hour in which to close debate
on the bill.
II Is said that the main reason why the Democrats
tried to choke of the debate to-day was because |
they feared that some Republican might take il |
upon himself tear to pieces the very loose speech
made by General Ewing III closing the debate on |
the Army bill.
The session Of the House this evening IL devoted |
to the consideration of Pension bills. The struggle
Tomorrow. and il will continue until the Democrats
back down and give the Republicans an OpDOrtu- |
nifty for discussion. |