River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-06-01
Too Thin.

THE SOFA DODGE.
| There has been great deal of qulb-
bling and lodging going on in congress
of late, but the proceedings Of to-day
capped the climax. As soon as the
chairman of the elections committee
called up the Mackey- Dibble contested
election case, ex- Speaker Randall call
ed for a vote on the question of con-
sideration. and the democrats RETAINED
from voting, thus breaking a quorum.
A call of the house was ordered, and
the absentees were marched in in front
of the speaker and called upon for ex-
cuses. Their more fortunate compan-
ions on both sides ridiculed and ieered
their replies, and in some instances
made the culprit feel very much morti-
fed. The filibustering tactics were
very distasteful to host of the men,
bers who desired to attend the races,
and their efforts to be released ON pleas
of business and i'll health did not find
many supporters. When the call was
completed there was a rush of mem
bers for the depot, en- route to the race
track, both sides being rapidly depict
| ed. Another attempt to discuss the ell
ection case only resulted in q repetition
of the scene, and the doors were again
closed. As a last resort several mem
bers stretched themselves out on the
sofas in the rear of the chamber and
had word conveyed to the speaker that
they were too i'll to attend to buiness
and consequently must be excused by
the house. This plan worked well for
while, put was finally stopped by a
representative who announced his in
tention Of trying the sofa dodge in or
der to be let off. After four hour had
been spent in this way Mr.. Calkins
stated that he was of the opinion that
quorum CT members who would vote
could not be obtained and he favored
an adjournment. This announcement
was received with boisterious approval
all over the house and the motion to
adjourn was carried unanimously.
BOTH SIDES CRITICISED.
| The action of the Democrats to-day
is generally commented upon and crit.
icised this evening. 1t is asserted that
it is the first time in the history of the
government when that party resorted
to flibustering to defeat a contested
election case. Both sides at present
seem TO be equally determined to per-
sue the course outlined by them to-day.
The Republicans say they will accept
the issue, feeling assured that all res
possibility before the country will rest
| with the other side. The action of the
Democratic side is based wholly upon
the refusals of the committee to reopen
the case and investigate the allegations
of the committee, say this effort is
made simply to delay action. At all
events they mold that the action of the
committee would not be reversed by
the investigation and do not really
attach much importance to the allega-
TONS The actions of the Republicans
in taking up the case now is somewhat
critical. 1t is said it is of the election
cases the one most likely to receive
themost persistent opposition of
the other side. The delay at this
late period of the session is
regarded as unfortunate and inn
polite for the Republicans, as it may
result in prolonging the session into
July. Five of the most important APP
preparation bills have yet to be reported
to the house, and if the policy of the
Republicans is carried out none of
them will be taken up until the case is
out of the way.