New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-01
STILL ON THE SPEAKERS TABLE.
NO ACTION YESTERDAY ON THE FUNDING BILL-IT:
PROBABLE DEFEAT-REPUBLICAN UNITY NECEs
sARY FOR THAT RESULT.

sARY FOR THAT RESULT.
[BY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S.-The Funding bill with
the Senate amendments thereto still remains upon
the Speakers table in the House of representa-
tiVes, where it was placed ten days ago. IT was
o'clock this afternoon when Chairman Tucker of
the Committee CT Ways and Means moved to go to
the Speakers table and take up the Funding bill
a parliamentary sklrmish ensucd which lasted for
more than two hours.
The Republicans, under the leadership of Mr.
Conger and General Keifer, raised the question Of
order that the unfinished business, the Apporton-
ment bi should first be disposed of, the previous
question having been ordered upon it last Thurs
day. Speaker Randall ruled otherwise greatly to
tho ama7ement of some of the best parliament
torians The flOuse. An appeal from this decision
was laid upon the table by a strict party vote.
Speaker RandalPs ruling indicated that lie is fully
determined to strain his authority and the rules of
the House to the utmost limit in order to help along
the Funding bill. Mr.. Randall is very anxious that
the Democratic members of the Ways and Means
Committee shall violate their agreement with the
Republican members of that Committee regarding
the amendments adopted last Thursday, and that
they shall simply cote to concur or non concur in
the Senate amendments. lie would much prefer
the former course, SO as to avoid the dangers of
conference.
There were some signs this morning that Mr..
Randals labors with several members Of The Com
mittce had not been altogether vain, and Mr..
COnger began to fear that the agreement with him
in regard TO his amendment to the fifth section
would he broken by the Democrats He therefore,
informed them that unless he could have the most
explicit and satisfactory assurances from the
Speaker, as well from themselves, that his
amendment should be received and included In the
demand for the previous question: he would feel
obliged 10 contest every motion 10 proceed with the
consideration Of the bill Mr. lConger did not re-
cciyc the assurances he desired and was informed
10y the Democrats that. If his demands were too
pressing the majority OF tho Ways and Means Com
mittcc might easily determine to throw the Com
mittcc amendments overheard and move concur
renee in tho Senate amendments. Should they do
this. every Republican member of the Ways and
Means Committee would he released from any
Implied obligation noe 10 engage IN dilatOry pro-
cecdings 10 prevent the taking M Of the bill.
In the slsirmish that took place to-day the Repnb
lcans present all voted together, the indications
tonight are that very few of them will desert
during the struggle which all feel must come If
the Rcpublicans should remain united In their OPP
position to tho bill during tho next twenty-four
hours thcro would bo no danger that " could be,
cnrJs a law nj this session. The almost universal
belief among Republicans in Washington tonight IS
that the fate of the bill is already virtually sealed
unless the fifth section is stricken ont. lt will DO
an easy task for the Republicans to prevent the bill
from being considered at all, If they are determined
o do