The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-16
Proceedings of the House.

"a tAC
WASHINGTON, Oct. l5-The Speaker proceed
ed to call the States for the introduction IL bills
and resolutions. When Alabama was called, Mr..
Wheeler offered the following for reference:
Whereas. The Senate of the United States has re-
ported a bill TO revise the tax laws, which bill is more
oppressive to the masses of the people and more in the
interest Of the monopolhst than any measure ever pro-
posed TO any legislative body Of which we have q rec
ord; therefore be it
Resolved. That the Democratic members of this
House pledge themselves 10 continue their efforts 70
defend the people against this unequal, unjuat and
unwise legislation. which, If enacted in law, must in
evitably cheek and limit the sale of American products
in foreign countries, stimulate and strengthen the op.
erations of combinations and trusts, and prolong, IL
not perpetuate, the subsection OF the people TO the ex-
actions of accumulated capital, and the Democratic
upon this floor until the victory is won or the duties
with which they hare been charged by the people
lapse by constitutional limitation.
Resolved, That the Senate tariff bill should be dis
eussed upon this floor. TO the end that its features
may be exposed and made known to The people.
The reading of the resolutions was inter
ruptsd by Mr.. Dingley of Maine. with the re-
mark thar the resolution ives not one contsm-
plated by the rules, but was q caucus resolution.
IL was not q resolution which could be adopted
by either house.
The Speaker replied that the gentleman from
Alabama had regularly offered the resolution
when bis State was called.
Mr. Dingley commended that the resolution
might be a proper one for a caucus to adopt, but
Lot for the House.
Mr. Wheeler maintained that the second reso-
luton was eminsntly proper for the House to
adopt.
The Speaker said that the Chair had no con-
troll over the character of resolutions offered,
except to see that they we're respectful in tone.
Mr.. FarQuhar. Of Now York, thought that in-
dependent OF bad sense aud bad taste, the rsso-
lutious were not proper for the House to act
upon.
The Speaker suggested that the House could
take such action ON the resolutions as it saw
proper. 1t could lay them on the table, or refuse
to receive, or refer them.
Mr.. Wheeler demanded the further reading of
the resolutions, and, notwithstanding Mr..
Dineley's protest that the House should not DO
compelled to listen to caucus resolutions. the
reading was completed and the resolutions re-
ferred TO the COMMITTEES on rules.
MIR. Oates, of Alabama, offered the following:
Whereas, The present session of Congress has con-
ipued longer than any ever held in the history OF the
Whereas, Much less than a quorum is present in
the Senate or House of Representatives. SO that no
legislation can be constitutionally enacted: and
Whereas, There is no probability OF a quorum be-
ing present in either house during the time when the
present session may by law continue; therefore.
Resolved. That the President IF the Senate and the
Speaker of the House be authorized to close the pres
emit session by adiourning their respective houses on
Wednesday, the 18th Of October, at IL NJ.
Mr.. Oates said that in view of the fact that
there was no quorum 10 either branch of Congress
and no probability of there being one, he thought
tnat the resolution for final adjournment should
o. agreed TO. AS the on ways and
means was likewise without a quorum. nothing
would be gained by referring the resolution TO
lie upon the table till tomorrow.
In response to a question By Mr.. Lanham, Of
Texas. the Speaker stated that if the point were
raised q quorum would DO necessary 10 pass an
adjournment resolution.
Mr.. Lanham then suggested that the resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Oates, in its preamble itself,
raised the point of no quorum, and the Speaker
acquiescine in the opinion, intlmated that the
resolution could not be passed in Its present
shape.
Mr.. E. B. Taylor-Let the gentleman strike
ont the preamble and let rs pass the resolution.
Mr.. McMIllin said the House had been waiting
to give the Senate an opportunity to acs upon
the bill which the House had sent IL for the re-
duction Of taxation. IL it became necessary for
a quorum to he here Tor the purpose OF reducing
the taxation. thsre was no day upon which q
quorum could not be obtained.
Dir. Lauham inquired whether it had not been
developed to the satisfaction of the gentleman,
and of the country, that no tariff bill would be
passed this session.
all he knew upon the subject. There were rea-
sons satisfactory to the members of the ways
and means committe why a resolution OF ad-
journment should not be introduced to-day.
Mr.. Oates then withdrew the preamble, and
the resolutions lie over till tomorrow. Mr.. Kill
gore, OF Texas, giving notice that be would do
mand a vote at that TINA
Mr.. Dougherty withdrew the point Of no quo
nm, raised by him some days ago UPON the mo-
ton to table tine motion to reconsider the vote
by which the House passed the presidential
count bill. The motion to table was then car
ried, thus clinching the passage of the bill.
Mr.. Mcmillan then, In view OF the fact that
Mr.. Taylor had given notice that no legis-
lation should be enacted (notice which Mr.. Tay-
Tor modified by excepting labor bills) moved %
adjourn, and the motion was agreed to.