National Republican., 1888-04-06
TIL: HOUSE.

Tie fight over the direct taX bill was rc.
sumcd yesterday morning, when, at lir!5,
the House met in continuation of the lcgis-
latiVc day of Wednesday.
Mr. Reed, of Maine, Immediately de
mNndcd theregular ORDER which the Speaker
announced to be the vote on the motion
that when the House adjourn it be to meet
ON Saturday next.
This motion having been defeated, Mr.
LaDham, Of Texas, at l2:20 raised the point
of order that the DAY assigned for the con
sidcra,iun of the direct tax bill had expired,
and lie proceeded to argue IN favor Of the
point.
Mr.. Reed inquired of the Speaker how IL
was that the gentleman obtained the floor
when there were several motions pending to
adjourn to day certain.
The Speaker replied that the g5int of
order was understood to operate as an
cstOppcl Of those motions. -
Mr., Lanham suggested that Mr. Reed per-
init him to air his parliamentary knowledge
onti W. oIuer 10 Emr' I ,,M monotony of the pro
cee,llgs. ,n ne .tnen proceeded to argue,
Mitli iiieItmvlitSitations m from previous dccis-
,Gns' ,In n ,na. We Speaker has the power to say
,i ,h"' in "hu common sense construction OF
W ne ,ules .,iS order assigning Tuesday and
Meunesuay FOR the consideration Of the
u',.el "ytson would be to- violate the
lIio.i II. ., VI Nhe committee on rules in re-
portiSS I.<assignment and of the House in
agrccinSfo it.
A clear construction of the assignment
would show that II applied not to the lcgis
lGtivc day but to the calendar day.
The Speaker disclaimed any power to adj
journ the House, and held that as long rs
the House refused to adjourn the legislative
day Of Wednesday would continue. lie re-
called many precedents for the decision, and
especially the precedent presented IN the
case of the electoral commission bill, when
the legislative day extended over thirty
calendar days. He ovcrruled the point of
order.
Mr. Lanham suggested that the legislative
day of Wednesday might continue until
Dee. |.
Mr. Grosvenor, Of Ohio, extended the
suggestion by remarking that 1t might con-
tinuc until March.
The Speaker. 1t might last until the terms
Of the present members of the House expire.
Mr.. Buchanan, of New Jersey. And it
will.
Ilr. Wilson, of Minnesota, attempted to
find a flaw in the decision Of the speaker,
hut as the Speaker was fortified with long
line Of prccedcnts the attempt was Wlsuc-
| cCssiul.
The dreary round of roll calls on dlatory
motions was then resumed.
In an interval between the votes Mr.,
Hatch, of Missouri, by unanimous con nscnt,
introduced the following resolution: o
Resolved. That the interstate commerce
commission be instructed to consider what
can be done to prevent the loss of life and
limb IN coupling and uncourling cars used IN
interstate commerce, and in handling the
brakes OF such cars. and in what way the
growth of the system of heating passenger
cars from the locomotive other single source
| can he promoted, to the end that such com
mission may. make recommendation IN the
| premises to the various railroads within It's
| jurisdiction and report it, doingS 10 Congress
| at an early date, with such suggestions rs tO
| legislation on such subjects as may seem tu
| II necessary and cXrcdient.
Referred to committee on commerce.
The entire day was consumed in roll calls,
| and not an incident of interest occurring,
and finally, wcaricd out, the House at 5:lO,
| by unanimous consent, took II recc,, until
| Has to-day.