Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-07
THE DEADLOCK.
LEGISLATION AT A srAHD.srILL IN
THE HOUSE.
A Determined sevonty-The District Dele
gates to the National Democratic
Convention.
From Our Regular corrcspondcnt.

washington, y. c., April G.-The
deadlock over the direct tax bill in the
House still continues, with very little
prospect of any speedy settlement
Both sides aver their determination to
maintain tie contest A large majority
favor the passage OF the bill, but the mi
nority is well led by Mr. Oates, OF Ala.
bama, with the assistance OF McMillin
Of Tennessee, and the two Breckin-
ridges Mr.. Hatch, OF Missouri. said
to-day that there were seventy members
Of the House that would sit here until
/ December rather than allow the bill TO
pass. He himself had not filibustered
against the bill, but if it should come to
q vote be would vote against il. This
deadlock not only prevents the transac-
/ ton Of any business in the House itself,
/ bat nothing can be done by the commit
/ tees in the way OF preparation of bust
ness for the House. With that under
standing there were no committee meet
/ ings this morning. This afternoon the
question was directly settled by a ruling
Of the Speaker in response to the in
auirv of Mr.. IarOuhar, Of New York, as
/ 10 whether any action could be taken by
a committee. The Speaker replied that
no commute could sit during the session
of the House without special permission
and that the House had been cOnstruc-
lively in session since noon Wednesday.
At the same time he intimated that If q
committee should prepare business and
/ present it TO the House it might be re-
| ceived by the House and acted upon.
But in reply to the inquiry whether
an objection on the part Of n
member of any committee to its
| sitting would not stop It's action,
be ruled that it would. SO the whole
| business of legislation at this end of the
/ Capitol is ut stand-still. The situation
4 is a most serious one, and one for which
/ the Democratic majority of the House
will be held responsible if it continues
much longer. lhe worst of it is that
even the settlement OF the pending
/ question by the passage or defeat of the
/ bill will not cure the effect the Speaker
ruling on Mr.. Breckinridge's unfortu-
nate motion. That ruling IN the hands
| OF the Republicans will at any moment
| they choose TO use it block all legislation
on the tariff or any other measure.
/ 1t delivers the majority OF the House
bound hand and foot to the minority.
1t IS asserted this morning that the
two delegates selected by the District
Convention to the National Democratic
/ Convention, Mcssrs. Dickson and Gard
ncr, are both at heart ant-Cleveand
men. The resolutions adopted last night,
it il said, were as originally Drawn much
stronger in their endorsement of the
President than as passed. The first
draft was submitted to Mr.. Dickson,
who drew his pencil through the parts
most complimentary to the President,
and they were omitted. On the other
hand, the Posf this morning claims that
both Of the delegates are for Cleveland.
The truth probably is that these gentle
men will 90 to St. Louis prepared to
abide the sentiment Of the convention.
If they find an overwhelming Cleveland
sentiment they will unite with alacrity if
not with cheerfulness in his nomination,
but if any other candidate should show a
strength that promised success he would
probably receive their votes.
Senator Daniel introduced n bill au-
thorizing the Secretary OF War to change
the plan and specifications of the pro
posed wharf at Fortress Monroe ana to
enlarge its dimensions and appropriating
SO, 900 for that purpose.
Senator Faulkner last night received a
dispatch announcing a serious accident
to his nephew, and left for West Ylr-
ginia this morning.