Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-22
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
THE HOUSE WITHOUTAOUORUM
Ahe Democrats Playing an Old Re-
publican TrIek-The General De-
heieneT BIlI-ShIPherd Very Much
DIsgusted-The GuIteau Decision
A Deadlock on Hand.

WASHINGTON, May 20.-In the House, on
motion Of Mr.. Kssson, Of Iowa, the Sen
ate amendment to the House bill, authoriz-
ing the receipt Of United States gold coin in
exchange for gold bars, was agreed to.
Mr.. Calkins, of Indiana, then called up
the contested election case of Mackey VS..
O'COnnor, from the Second di trict of South
Carolina.
Mr.. Randall, of Pennsylvania, stating that
there were reasons why his side did not de-
sire TO consider that case to day. raised
question Of consideration, and on the d.
vision the Democrats refrained from voting,
thus leaving the House without a quorum.
The yess and nays being ordered resulted
yeas 1lS, nsYs (Mr. Phelps, Of Connecti-
cut)-27 less than quorum.
A call OF the House was ordered and dis
closed the presence of two hundred and
fourteen members. The doors were then
closed, and an order was passed directing
the Sergeant-st-arms to take into custody
absent members and bring them to the bar
OF the House. In the course OF half an
hour MessTs. Oates of Alabama, Van
VOOrhis of New York, and Young of Ohio,
were brought TO the bar, and after
presenting their excuses amid much
merriment were discharged from
custody, Mr.. Cslklns, of Indiana,
giving notice, however, that after to-day he
would, unless bona fide excuses were Of
fered. insist that some punishment
should be visited upon recreant members.
Matters then remained at q standstill until
two O'Clock, when Mr.. Calkins suggested
that the discussion of the case be proceeded
with.
Mr.. Sparks, of Illinois, said 1t was charged
that part OF the record was forgery. He de-
sired that the whole matter be sent back to
the Committee on Elections.
The next members broughtin were Messrs.
Richardson, of South Carolina, and Brumm,
of Pennsylvania, the latter being Green
bscker.
Various propositions were made that he
be fined s, "6at," a "Bland" or "irade"
dollar. Both were excused. At 2:30 further
proceedings under the call were dispensed
with, and the vote again recurring on the
question Of consideration resulted: yeas
119, nays (Messrs. Phelps, of Connecticut,
and Springer, OF lllinois)-no quorum.
Mr.. HiscOck, Chairman of the Committee
on Appropriations, reported the general
deficiency bill, which was ordered printed
aud recOmmitted. f. recommends an ap-
preparation OF So, 425, ,319.
Another call of the House was then or
dered. At the conclusion OF the roll call,
Mr.. Calkins remarking that it was impos-
sible to get voting quorum present to day,
moved TO adjourn.
The House then, at 800, adjourned.
sHIPHKRD THOROUGHLY DIsGUsTED.
shipherd was asked this afternoon
what reply he proposed to make to
the ultimstum Of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, and replied that he did
not propose to bother with the committee
any further; that he had made them q
proposition which they declined, and that
row no power of earth could compel him to
IL -,
that be had wasted three months time ana
expended several thousand dollars in counsel
fees, simply to please the committee and
public; that the committee had no power to
compel him, and were well aware OF II; and
that in future he would not even notice a
subpoena from them. He further intimated
that he proposed in few DAYS to give to
the public through the press the documents
which the committee had declined to receive
upon his terms. Shlpherd leaves the city
his afternoon, but expects to return on
Monday, when he will make arrangements
for the publication Of his documents.
THE GUITEAU DECISION.
heunanimous decision Of the District su-
Dreme Court on questions raised bY the de-
fense IN the Guiteau case will be an
nOunced on Monday. The Post to-
morrow will say the opinion of the court
will broadly sustain the position taken bY
the OisLrlcE Attorney buat the luTlSulCliOu Is
complete where the fatal blow was struck
without regard to the actual demise.
DEADLOCK ON HAND.
WASHINGTON, May 21.-By an order
adopted on the S.h inst. the House of Rep
resentatives agreed that its session tO-mor-
row should be set aside for the considera-
ton OF District Of Columbia business.
Mr.. Cslkins, Chairman OF the Elec-
tions Committee, gave notice, how
ever, Just before yesterdays adjourn
ment, that he will tomorrow morning
renew HIS effort to bring up the South Caro-
lima contested election case of MsckeY
against O'Connor. II the Democrats solidly
refrain from voting either on a motion to
lay aside the regular order or on a direct
motion to take up the election case, there
will be little probability of the trans
action of any business tomorrow other
than the offering of dilatorY motions
and fruitless calling OF the roll incident
% what Is known as "filisbusterlng. The
Republican absentees having all been sum-
mOned by telegraph to return at once, there
Is bare possibility that Chairman Calkins
may be able to muster a quorum to-
morrow in support Of his efforts,
but It is not believed that the attendance Of
the number requisite to force consideration
Nf the matter will be secured before Tues
day or Wednesday.