New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-14
AFFAIRS AT WASHINGTON.
DEMOCRATS AND THE MORMON QUESTION.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

WASHINGTON, March 13.-Thc Democrats of the
House of Representatives are in state of mind
over the prospect that they cannot much longer
postpone action upon the Anti-Polygamy bill
which passed the Senate some time ago. Last week
the Republicans succeeded in getting to the bill on
Speakers table the Democrats resisting that action
as long as they could without having it appear
what their real Object was. AS as the bill was
reached Mr.. Converse, Of Ohio a Democrat, made
the point of order that ii must receive its first con-
sideration in Committee OF the Whole. The matter
was left there until to-day when, on motion Of Mr..
Haskell, the bill was again called up.
Two or three hours were then spent in discussing
this point Of order, prOceedin which made to
appear almost grOtesque, when, after its conclusion,
the Speaker drew from his desk a dozen pages of
manuscript. written several days ago, and which
turned out to he his decision oveTuling tho point
of order AlT. Converse promptly appealed from the
decision. but the House sustained it by vote of
l10 to \. Seven Democrats voted with the major
ity. Among them was Mr.. Cassidy of Nevada
The Momons have made sOmo inroa Is into the
State and it is understood that Mr.. Cassdys oppo-
siton to the twin relic of barbarism" springs from
personal observation Of its pcmcious effects upon
the body polite. As soon as Nr. Convcrses appeal
had been voted down, Mr. Haskell moved the
previous question, and the Democrats Immediately
set up cry for full and fair debate and oppOr
tunity to offer amendments" Mr.. Atkins cxcitedly
exclaimed: II have not read this bill. ] want
time to read this bli' The bill had not only been
printed In tho regular form and laid the desks of
members but printed in full in The Record last
week. Those erulte lawyers and profound states
men, Springer, Sparkle and Townshend, of Illinois,
and others, declared the bill was imperfect aud
should not be " rushed through this House" unless
they could amend it. Yet this bill was discussed
three days in the Senate not month ago, and such
careful Democratic lawyers as Bayard, Garland and
Jones. OF Florida supported it. 1t was reserved for
Mcssrs. Sparks, Springer and other learned lawyers
in the House to discover the Aaws to-day. and so
impressed were they with the glarn defects of the
measure that they, and nearly every one of their
party associates in the House, including Mr. Ran
dali. who took conspicuous part, resortel to fill
buserng to prevent vote being taken. Mr..
Townshcnd thought II necessary 10 declare that
there is not mau on this side of the ouse in favor
OF p0lyg3my-but ell the same he joined his Demo-
cratic brethren in their dilatory proceedings to pre-
vent the taking of a VOTE
The Democrats repeatedly refused to vote, thus
leaving the House without quorum and after sew
cral hour, had been spent in n vain ATTEMPT to
secure the passage of the bill the Republicans at
late hour yielded to the inevitable and consented to
the akiuG Of rec, until hlif-pdst II o'clock to-
morrow morning. BY this means the ground
already gained was preserved and the contest viii
lie renewed where it was discontinued this evening.