, 1888-01-25

THE SCENE CHANGES.
Speaker Huntington Retains His
Seat by Republican Votes.
The SmOuldering Volcano About
Ready to BeIch.
All Committees Strangely Declared
to be Dissolved.
Queer Capers Being Cut Up in the
Lower House.
House Of Representatives.
AFTER HIS SCALP.

manifold reasons, 1t was generally con-
ceded hat he should be unseated. The
arrangement Of committees was ~unsatis-
factory to a number, and several we're
convinced that the presiding officer did
not perform his duties in the proper man
ner. Monday evening it was evident
that another attempt would be made to
unseat the speaker yesterday. Although
secrecy was counselled, it was generally
known that the mine would soon be ex-
ploded. Yesterday morning The LEADER
Unlimited that something unusual was,
about to occur. This announcement had
the effect of filling the gallery and lobby
of the house during the entire session.
AoUIET MORNING.
The entire forenoon session was de-
voted to the reading of the reports of
the capitol commission and house stand
ing committees. During the readings
many consultations were held in the ante
rooms by members interested in the brew
ing storm, while the recess hour was one
prolonged caucus.
ACTION.
After roll call at the afternoon session
the presentation of resolutions and mo-
ton was announced as in order. Mr..
Hooper, OF Crook county, was at once
on his feet, with the remark, Il have a
resolution here, Mr.. Speaker" The
document was placed in the hands of the
chief clerk, who at once read its con-
tents aloud. 1t was brief, but said a
great deal. Following is the complete
text of the sensational resolution: Be ii
resoired, That the Office of speaker of the
tenth legislative assembly shall b. declared
vacant.
Mr. Huntington was prepared for the
crisis. His ccol demeauor evinced that
the move had been anticipated. Without
hesitation and deliberately, though labor
ing under suppressed excitement, he
firmly announced the resolution out Of or
der, cited authority for the ruling and ex-
planned his action. In effect the speaker
said that inasmuch as consideration of 4
resolution of similar import and substance
had been indefinitely postponed upon a
former occasion, presentation of the docu-
ment Just read was a breach of the speci-
fed rule of the house indicated.
APPEAL.
Mr.. Hooper could not agree with the
speakers Interpretation of the rule and
appealed from the presiding officers de-
cision. In this he was sustained.
AN AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Grant, Albany county, submitted
ar amendment to the resolution providing
that upon the removal Of the speaker the
standing committees be declared dis
solved.
POW-WOW.
Much discussion here ensued, many of
the remarks were doubtlessly rcpetitions
of what had been set forth in caucuscs.
Mr.. Summers touched on a delicate sub
ject by denying Mr.. Grants intimation
that the party which had placed Mr..
Huntington in the chair was dissatisfied
with his arrangement of the standing
committees. They were suited, he
averred.
Mr.. Adams complained that the resolu-
ton offered contained no charges justify
ing its submission.
Mr.. Weaver thought that the document
spoke for itself. The Republican rcsolu-
ton, formulated with the hope of attain
ing the same result sought by supporters
of the document under debate, alleged in
competency. With no specifications its
object would have remained the
Mr.. Sampson, Albany, renewed the
query Of Mr.. Adams. Why did the
Democrats desire the removal of Mr..
Huntingdon To him it was obvious that
reasons should be given.
E Mr.. Hooper stated that the Democrats
had now discovered that the presiding
officer was inefficient, and secuted the
idea that a readiustmcnt of the commit
tees was desired.
I'VE discovered his incompetency in
two days" responded Mr.. Sampson.
Two weeks have elapsed before the fact
becomes patent to the Democrats in the
house" The gentleman reiterated the
charges concerning the committees.
Half a dozen Democrats arose immedi-
ately to reply to Mr.. Sampson. Mr.. La
frentzIwas recognized. He vigorously re-
futed the charge made by the gentleman
from Albany. The resolution previously
considered was voted down simply because
the Democrats did not at that time pro-
pose to allow their opponents to unseat a
speaker elected by the party for which he
spoke. In the matter of committees,
upon the election of a new speaker he
would not consider himself a member of
any standing committee, and was con
WINGED that his party colleagues were of
the same mind, and hat their resigna,
tons as committeeman would be forth
coming simultaneous with his own.
Messrs. Blydenburgh and Summers
expressed themselves as being in accord
with the ~utterances of Mr., Lafrentz.
4