Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-16
HOUSE.

When the House met this morning
Mr.. Blackburn occupied the chair, ow.
ing to the necessary absence Of the
Speaker.
The desk recently occupied by Fer.
nando Wood WAS drsped in black and
decorated with handsome basket Of
flowers.
After few brief addresses had been
presented to the House on the accept.
snce by Congress Of the statue oil Jacob
Collamer, OF Vermont, the House went
into Committee OF the Whole upon the
River and Harber bill
Mr.. Carlisle was in the chair, all the
amendments b, ing ffered were r. iected.
Mr.. Chittenden criticised the manner
in which the advocates OF the bill voted
down every amendment offered.
Mr.. Updegrsff, (ot Iowa. offered an
amendment appropiisting $4,000 for
ice ard harbor At Dubuque.
Mr.. Springer raised a point OF order
against the amC ndment and long tech
nical but rather interesting discussion
ensued. The chief point OF the contro-
versy being as to the character OF the
river and harbor bill, whether IL should
be classed among the general or special
appropriation bills. II among the spe.
cial appropriation bills a much greater
lititude OF the amendment would be
permitted than il cIassed among the
general bills, and the question being
considered important debate upon the
the point OF order was continued at q
great length.
The committee weary OF discussion
interrupted the speakers by loud cries
Of vote whereupon the chair deiv
cred his decision. holding that the river
and harbor bill was the special appro-
priation bill.
Mr.. Updcgrafrs amendment was then
rejected.
In debating the amendment Mr..
Atkins appealed to Mr.. Reagan TO ask
the house to set night to consider his
bill, bscause it must be got out OF the
way by some means, either by passing 1t
or killing il; that two important appro.
priation bills had yet to be reported
while one general appropriation bill had
received the approval Of the President.
Mr.. Clymer offered an amendment ap-
propriating forty million dollars for the
improvement OF the Kiskimintas and
Conemaugh rivers, remarking that the
sum, though not large, was the exact
sum recommended by the Chief Engi.
neer.
Mr.. Updegran submitted an amend.
ment striking out the clause appropriat.
ing $40, 900 for the improvement OF the
rivers of Virginia. He was opposed 10
making an appropriation for mud.pud.
dies that some man might be returned
to Congress.
A large number OF amendments were
offered and rejected with the exception
OF one or two verbal amendments) by q
majority OF about 100. At last an
amendment was voted upon and no
quorum voting point OF order was
raised and the committee rose.
Mr. Reagan hoped II would be the
pleasure OF the House to allow the call
to compel members to be present aud 10
20 forward with the bill; to act upon II
and pass il OF defeat it; that stand
might as well he made tonight m any
time, and the call Of the House was or
dered.
The roll call showed the presence Of
lGl members more than 4 quorum bu:
the doors were clio 5ei, and the Sergeant.
alarms dispatched after the absentees.
Two or three hours passed in vain en-.
deavors to arrive at some amicable mode
OF settlement by which the session could
be brought TO close, but II WAS the
avowed intention Of the supporters oi
the bill 10 set il out while its opponents
raised the point OF no quorum whenever
any vote making the necessary quorum
was reached. The noise and confusion
was great, and finally recess was taken
I'LL ten 10 morrow.