The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-15
A RIDICULOUS SPECTACLE.
The Sorry Figure the United States Sen,
ate Presents to the Country.

AAS SNiry riBure tne united states SEN
ate Presents to the Country.
WASHINGTON, Oct. l4.-By the last CEN
sus OF the Senate taken Friday afternoon
there was fifteen members present for
duty, while enough more to raise the ag-
gregate available for emergencies to within
half dozen of quorum were known to
be within easy call. Since then several
have left the city. Contradictory reports
are current regarding the prospective ad.
journment (all traceable oddly enough to
highly authoritative sources) to the effect
that it has been determined TO adjourn
without day on Wednesday, on Thursday,
on Saturday OF this week and
on Monday Of next week. In sup
port of the two dates last mentioned.
II is argued that members OF the ways
and means committee OF the House have
secured the services OF experes in political
economy and are preparing digest of the
Senate tariff bill, which they wish TO make
public through the official channels of
Congress before the session closes. Against
all OF these the statement OF Senator ALI
son, who, having the tariff bill in charge,
il more likely than any other member OF
either house TO know the situation thor
oughly, can be quoted TO the effect that no
arrangement or understanding OF any kind
has yet been reached on the subject of
adjournment The opinion is, however,
almost unanimous that Congress will adj
adjourn. take a long recess, or in some
other way bring the session 10 an end
within the present week, and in this opin.
ion Senator Allison is understood TO con.
cur.
The situation is one OF considerable deli.
cacy. Should any senator, through force
OF habit or absence vi mind, demand di-
vision, or otherwise develop the absence
OF a quorum, parliamentary chaos would
ensuu. Under the Senate rules il would
be the imperative duty OF the chair 10 send
the scrgeant-at-arms aud his deputies in
search Of ahsentecs anl until an impaired
quorum should he obtained no other busi-
uess-not even the resolution 10 adjourn
sine die or take n longer recess than three
legislative days-would be in order. The
fact that any one member Of the Senate
may prevent the adjournment has led 20
the suggestion that In Difference 30 the
constitution, chairman pro tempore aud
one member OF each party be LETT in at
tendance, 10 meet twice or three times a
week, aud adjourn with the understanding
that no legislation shall be attempted.
There are members of both parties in
the Senate who still think that the tariff
hill should be brought TO vote, hut in
view of the difficulties they are greatly in
the minority, and the situation is such
that an adjournment resolution coming
from any source Is likely TO bo unanimously
adopted.
Senator Morgan will call up for action
early IN the week the resolution giving to
the heads OF executive departments au-
thorily--in their discretion-to make ex.
hibits at Paris Of articles belonging 20 their
departments. and il is possible that some
other bclatcd measures, where not likely
10 encounter any opposition, may bc taken
up in the morning huurs, but the princi-
pal part OF the time honcciorth TO the end
OF the session will be devoted 10 speeches
on the tariii.
Not more than twenty-five or thirty
members Of the House OF Representatives
are expected Ia bc in their seats tomorrow.
Objection will be- made 10 the transaction
Of any important business in the absence
Of ninc.tcnths Of the members, and the
Legislative possibilities iorthc coming week
are almost nothing. short sessions aud
long rcccsses will bo the prevailing order.