The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-07
The Origin and Cause of the Alleged Oppose
ton of Certain COIored Men to the Elee-
ton of Major Calkins.
How the Mexican Pension Bill Was De-
feated by the House Democrats.
Correcting an Absurd Statement Concerning
the Geological Survey Congress Ex-
pected to Reach Adjournment To-Day.
TILE aArrons LEGISLATORS.
The Undignified Proceedings in Congress on
Friday and Saturday


The Undigniied Proceedings in Congress on
Friday and Saturday.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, July 6--There was great deal
of mincing and dilly -dallying in the House and
Senate on Friday and Saturday, and the scenes
that were presented were at times very undigni-
fed and senseless. A disposition was early dis
played on Friday to do nothing except upon the
appropriation bills or other propositions looking
directly toward adjournment There was a
stern fight made for the of the consideration
IF the Mexican war pension BILL and prob
ably more than dozen calls Of the House were
made by the flibusters. Commendable efforts
were also made to save consideration of other
measures, but the single objection of a contrary
or weary member put all such requests aside
with the same precision that votes would have
DONE There were on IS the Speakers
them bills growing pensions on &C
count Of distinguished soldiers. These bills had
been travelling between the House and Senate
many weeks, receiving the finishing touches by
way of amendments, and had finally been re-
turned in condition acceptable to the House,
but there were refusals to even hear them read.
The contrary fellows wanted to hurry to adj
journment, and could see OF hear nothing except
that announcement. Members would rise in
their seats and exhort the objectors like Metho-
dist revvalists to withdraw their objections, and
permit consideration; but so firm were those
who objected that they frequently walked away,
and refused to even entertain the opportunities
I to let the work go on. There was great deal
of contrariness.
"Please let this bill come up,r said
. one member, rising in his seat,
and looking pleadingly over to his colleague,
who sat near him: s'This is to pension the widow
of brave ofacer-a widow in need he con
tinued.
! "Oh pass the hat, if you want to take up
collection Don't exhort me- said the ohjector.
''You refuse to withdraw objection, thenY"
the first member inquired.
why, of course"
'Al right you viii regret this
''Whenp
'sYou will learn when you ask for unanimous
consent, some day.
At times there were half dozen members on
their feet, all trying TO submit propositions for
the expedition of business, when there was not
p SOAlOi0nOS E0pOr1 Ou al dppfOptld-i
don bill before the House. At
such moments the greatest confusion
prevailed. 1t was with the greatest trouble, and
at the expense of exceeding patience that a quo
rum was maintained When a call Of the House
was made on any proposition not pertinent to ad-
journment, there was an absence of quorum.
The members had hied away to the restaurant
and committee rooms, and the sergeant arms,
his deputies and numerous pages were employed
to drum them up. The same condition of affairs
existed in the Senate, although there was scarce
~ as much trouble experienced in keeping quo
rum and there dignity was not overlooked by
loud talk and boisterousness as in the lower
house. Contrary to expectations there were no
questionable measures got through during
the closing hours, for the way had been blocked
for these days beforehand