The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-09-18
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
Unable to Transact Business fol
Lack of a Quorum.

Lack of a Quorum.
WASHINGTON, Sept I7.-In the house,
Cox OF New York was elected speaker pro
TEN. to act during the absence of Carlisle.
The house bill 10 transfer to the state of
Louisiana possession of q certain tract of
land for quarantine purposes was reported
and passed.
Morrill, OF Kansas offered resolution re-
citing that grave charges of official mis-
conduct against the Sioux Indian commits
sion have appeared in the public press,
and calling ON the secretary OF the interior
for information as TO whether there is any
foundation for the charges, and directing
him to ascertain whether undue influence
has been used to obtain signatures. Re
feTred.
Dingley OF Maine offered resolution
calling on the pre- sident for information as
TO whether the rights of American fisher
men have been violated by Canada within
the past year, and If so whether he had
authority to proceed under the act ef
March 3, isS7. Referred.
O'Neiii of Missouri offered resolution
assigning a day for the consideration of
labor legislation. and moved its reference
to the committee on labor. vote resulted
q to 81 in favor of o'Neill's notion but
BloGnt Of Georgia made point OF no
quorum.
Thereupon Forney of Alabama inter
rupied the proceedings BY calling up the
conference report on the sundry civil bill.
bur yielded TO Kelley of Pennsylysnis, who
o1eFed 9 resolution broadening the scope
Of the investigation now in progress as to
the new library building, so as to direct
the special committee 10 inquire whether
any member of congress has sought by un-
due influence TO secure acceptance by the
architec; Of any material and whether any
member has tried to cause the removal OF
Architec; Smithmeyer from his position or
to deprive him of any of his powers or
duties for the reason that Smithmeyer has
refused 10 act, as requested by such
member.
Taulbee Of Kentucky asked consent to
offer an amendment authorizing the com
mittee to inquire whether any member has
used improper or corrupt influence to re-
tain Mr.. Smithneyer in position, or has
endesvore1 to divert attention from the
investigation into proceedings in which
smithmeycr is involved, or to infimidaie
the committee or any member now en-
gagged in the investigation Of the con
struction OF The library building
Kelley declined to accept Taulbee's
amendment. but accepted one offered by
Springer. direetingth the committee TO report
its conclusions within two weeks. The res.
olEtion was then adopted.
Forney came forward with his confer
ence report, but o 'Neill. of Missouri, raised
the point of order, that even such a priyi-
legged report could not be presented when
the house was dividing on his motion to
refer resolution TO the committee on Ia
Dor, and his point Of order having been
sustained, the ieilers resumed their places.
For an hour the teilers stood at their posts.
patiently waiting for quorum. Various
propositions were submitted 10 break the
deadlock in which the house found itself.
bat there was an objection 20 each one. A
melton 20 adjourn was voted down-Ieas.
80. NAYS, -
o'NeiA then asked unanimous consent
10 have labor bills made a special order for
Wednesday week. immediately after the
reading of the Journal. with nj ight session
II necessary
To lhis there was objection, and the
house adjourned.