The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-17
The House Talks Abou. Adieurnmens.

WAsBINGToN, Oct. l6-On motion or Mr..
Hudd, OF Wisconsin,, the Senate amendment
was concurred in to the bill authorizing the con-
s~truction of q bridg across the Mississippi river
NJ La Crosse. Wis.
Messrs. Clements, OF Georgia; McMilin, Of
Tennessee, and Ryan. of Kansas, were appoint
ed as the House members Of the joint comnittss
charged with investigating the Washington
aqueduct tunnel matter.
On motion OF Mr.. Sayres. OF Texas. the SEN
ate Joint resolution was passed, authorizing the
Secretary Of War to protect the Washington
aqueduet tunnel. 1t was amended. on motion
of Mr.. McMilIin, so as to authorize the select
investigating COMMITTEES to inquire and report
touching all plans and estimates prepared under
the auspices OF the government for extepding
the water supply OF Washington, and to extend
its inquiries into any and all other matters con-
corning the extension OF the water supply that
may aid Congress 10 ascertaining and fixing the
responsibility for any mismanagement therein,
or for the further construction or management
thereof.
DIR. Oates, Of Alabama, then called mp his
resolution for final adjournment on the 17;h
inst He offered an amendment, fixing the date
as the 18th inst.
Mr.. Sowdsn, of Pennsylvania, moved to make
the date the oath inst.
Mr.. Richardson, Of Tennessee, said that IL
had been the custom Co refer such resolutions
to the comm on ways and means, and he
moved that reference.
Mr.. O~ates-Show me and show the House the
COMMITTEES on ways and means. daughter 1t
10 not there.
Mr.. richardson see four or five members Of
the committee here.
Mr.. Oates-Thasi is not the committee.
Mr.. Ricbardson-I am certain q quorum OF
the committee can be obtained.
Mr.. Oates referred to the fact that he had
previously offered an adjournment resolution
which had been referred to the ways and means
aud had never been reported back.
Mr.. Turner, OF Georgia, inquired whether
there was any more necessity for . quorum of
the ways and means COMMITTEES tnan there was
OF a quorum of the House. The preamble Of
she g~entleman's resolution declared that there
was no quorum present.
Mr.. Oates replied that the preamble had sim
ply bsen . part OF his speech, and had been
withdrawn. It had expressed a truth which
would defeat action, and the House had TO resort
70 falsehood. To such a farce had 1t come. The
House could pass the resolution, and IL the Sen
ate wanted more time il could take it 1t was
q custom which had prevailed for
fifty years that the adjournment resolu-
ton should originate in the House. He
DID not think that anything could be accom-
piised oy continuing the session. The election
was only three weeks distant, and every move
ment was political After the election legisla-
ton could be enacted of more substantial good
TO the country than could be enacted now, even
were a quorum present.
Mr.. McMillin, OF Tennessee, said that when
Mr.. Oates offered his first adjournment resolu-
ton 1t was the concurrent Judgment of the
Democratic members, after mature elaboration,
that the resolution should not be reported back
favorably by the ways and means committees.
There was not g Democratic member or a per-
son of that political faith in the country who did
not say rhat the action of the WAYS and means
committee in refusing TO report the resolution
was wise. Had the resolution been paseed Con-
eress wo uld have adjourned before the Senate
committee had reported a tariff bill, and the
tariff bill would have been fred at during the
campaign. Now the Senate admitted that there
should be a reduction Of s73, 900, 900.
Mr.. Oates thought the gentleman should make
some exceptions. There were gentlemen who
thought the action of the COMMITTEES unvise.
Mr.. Brsckinridge, of Kentucky. moved to
postpone further consideration OF the resolution
until tomorrow, which motion was agreed to
-23 TO q.
In the consideration OF the morning hour, Mr..
Plumb. OF Illinois, from the on labor,
called up the bill TO settle the accounts Of labor
ers under the eight-hour Law.
Mr.. McMillin, of Tennessee, moved TO ad-
Journ, ana on this motion the Republicans de-
manded the yeas aud nays. and succeeded in de-
featine lt-yeas q, nays 81.
Mr. Oates said that be had failed In his effort
to set The House TO adjourn. and he would now
hxs 20 so3eurn himself. He asked leave Of Alb