New-York tribune., 1886-01-23
GAG RULE IN THE HOUSE.
RIGHT OF DEBATE REFUSED REPUBLICANS.

WISE OVER THE NORFOLK NAVY YARD INQUIRY.
frY IELEoRAra TO THE TRIBUNE
wasuINGToN Jan. 22.-True to it's early instincts
the Democratic majority in the House to-day unani-
,nousy refused to listen to the appeals of tie minority
for an opportunity to offer amendment or to discuss
for enable time the resolution of inquiry reported
by Chairman Herbert from the Naval COmmittee
respecting certain alleged unlawful acts by inc
Commandaut of the Norfolk Navy Yard. The minority
resisted several aours the uniusthable and aroy
programme Of the Democrats but at last forced TO
Yield aid the resolution was put through uhuer to
gag rule As soon the report and resolution nau
been read Colouel Herbert demanded the previous
o,estiop and curtly refused 20 allow his colleague r
Boutelle to offer an amendment from which 1t was
apn,rent that the Democrats dared not allow the
matter to be discussed The vote Herberts motion
resulted IL to many less than the quorum required
whereupon the chairman OF the Naval Affairs Commit
tee angrily exola med:
alt is very evident that gentlemen do not want
thoir ,nterrogatons answered and | withdraw the
report"
Mr. Reed quietly made the point that as the char
man had presented the report under instructions from
his committee and as the House had begun its
consideration he had right to withdraw It, lhis
point was sustained by the Speaker whereat he was
heartily cheered by the minority. Mr.. Reed then
apDealed TO the chairman to allow amendment 10 De
offered which the latter answered by moving call OF
the House although nearly three hundred members
were in their seats. The call was ordered ana the
Arms directed to arrest and bring IN
absentees. While he was thus engaged, MT heed was
recognized In short, temperate speech he sald tne
minority only asked the privilege of Offering necessary
amendments and discussing them for reasonable uihe
one or two hours. The previous question was never
de;coed to gag the minority. The chairman had not
been instructed BY his committee to choke off debate or
amendments aud it would not take long TO show that
ne part of the resolution amended by the committee
would be futile
Colonel Herbert testify said, " We will take the
rssnonsitity and the gentleman from Maine need not
concern himself about that demand the regular
order"
/" 1t is a matter that concerns the House," ME- keed
replied have the floor and vii! now proceed TO
6scnss nv motion to dispense with further proceedings
un der the call"
This caused an uproar on the Democratic side, but
1ha Sneaker ain ruled in favor of the minority and
Mr. Reed delivered a capital little speech in favor OF
the right OF tree debate.
Abram s. Hewitt then took the floor. lie said there
could be no difference of opinion about the rlght TO
freedom of debate; it is right tOr which the Demo-
Gratis in the House had strugs led during many years
and 1t does not lie in the mouths OF Republicans 10
rebnke any body for efforts to curtail 1t.
IL ia doubtful if the history of House proceedings
day which prevented member of the committee that
reported a resolution of inquiry from moving an
amendment When the previous question was ordered
Mr. Boutelle delivered ringing speech In favor OF the
inouiry He said that the first legislative act OF the
nresent House was to relieve from his political
disabilities man who for than twenty years had
not thought it worth his while to ask the favor NO
Republican had opposed the bill; but when 1t IA
nranosed smply TO ask whether certain inscriptions
e al TF,fn- hay hpg
obiierhted and whether honoraDly discharged Union
soldiers and sailors have been dismissed from Govern
meat employment in order TO make room for ex-
CoDfederates there Is general expression OF
Democratic horror attempt to - revive tDe
memories of sectional strife" The allegations IN the
resolutions had not been denied. Commenting upon
the resolution after il introduced, the editcr 0i
/" The Norfolk Landmark" a Democranc ~ ne Espapor
said that when Commodore TruxtOn took command OF
the Navy Yard " he found an inscription which was
intended to keep alive the bitter memories OF our civil
STRIFE and 1t is understood that with the patriotic
remark that the war had been over twenty years he
had this removed" He had also removed, because he
dared to protest against tbs ac man VINO LshSgreu
Department with drawings OF the kebeI hOnclad
Mei1mac and who for that service had Deeh appolheu
i the NAVY Yard bv order Abraham Lincoln and Tor
more than twenty had discharged his duties wan
faitnfulness and elhcisney MIR. Boutele continued;
The plea of Democrats that they desire to O6lterae
all memories of the full OF sophsty II not why
are Confederate memorials OF the war scattered an
over tbe Sonth some of them bearing inscriptions which
denote admiration for the Lost Cause, and why are
new and magnificent memorials OF the same sort
building nowl Let these Confederate memorials he
removed neiOre begin TO OblIterae inscriptions ana
denoish MORALS rai:ed 10 commemorate the victory
OF loyalty treason" .
Mr. Boutee's stirring speech was received with
ssRsaa''d .id:a '''''''' 'i applause Oh '1' N'D'+'
George D. WISE of Virginia was put forward on the
Democratic side TO answer him. In come parts of the
cgunt-y Captain Wise woHd be called . screamer,
which be certainly 49, occasions when there II
no need of extrayagant gestures or incoherent de-
the OutSet mildly declared thdt Mr.
Boutelle " more occasions than one has sought 10
revive the passions and peIudces OF the war lie mas
ALLEGED that drydocK was destroyed at Portsmouth,
shr1exee the Vii ginan when there never was dry
dock at Portsmouth lie has charged that inscriptions
have been removed from captured Confederate cannon
in the Navy Yard at Portsn9nthD ms rs gas
rather sorry dUbble-the Navy Yard being at Norfolk
Captaia Wise declared that the superintendent OF
machinery who was dismissed " was never within
thousand miles of line of battle"
Mr. Boutee-Did he not render good ser'lcs TO TINS
30, sir - replied Mr. " ise "He, sir was. in
receipt of large salary in bomb. proof position,
while brave tot gght the battles OF their country"
MIR Brady, of Virginia rose ana asked permission to
Sir. Wise IL viii give my at enton to you in one
minute The Confederate, or the one whom yo' MT
Boutelle allege Was appointed on account OF ms
service in the Confederate army was appointed alter
CONNIE titiye examination, and the man to whom you
refer was removed for beastly intoMcaton" Appanse
and laughter the De nOcratc slde One other Tact
command to your consideration. During the Arthur
Administration the postmaster at Portsmouth was a
Iuion soldier twice wounded duu twice pFouOtth
oaantry and was removed at the dictaOn OF William
Malone Applause on the Democratic slde An, Mr..
Speaker il is good thing TO raise fuss over this is
M Your fellow wcitizens of Maine addressing Mr..
Bontlle are anxious TO know If Confedeia ate has
been appointed 10 tbe Norfolk Navy Yard by t6s
Administration Have you forgotten that during the
Grant Administration and durng the Administration
of HAYES and Arthur you sent the captain OF the Con-
federate Guerillas-JOhn 5. Mosby TO- represent the
Goyerument OF the United States in foreign country
iAppIause on the Democratic side. Have you for
gotten that LoDgsreet, Confederate Lieutenant
hN rnnrR "a
tiOn for the most important office in Georgia WY ls
f. will ask the gentleman from Maine that we have
not heard a howl from that ceboand region abont
the,e appointmentsi Laughter the Democratic
side