Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-12-19
sPBAKER REED,s RULING.


A Decis,@n which Opens tine Door
10 Republicans Action ia Contested
CHseh. Nv.
Special to tho baltimore sun. -.
WAsuISsGoS, Leo. l6.--apeaker Reed
to-day served notice On the minority in
the House that ne Is in the chair to look
out for the interests OF tho Republican
party, and the Democrats will have to do
what they can about il. A resolution
was introduced to provide for an investi-
/ Cation OF the circumstances surrounding
the death Of the Rauptlican contestant
in the Second Congressional district in
Arkansas. Mr.. Clifton IL. Breckenridge,
the sitting member, requested that the
fullest investigation should be made,
and asked the Democratic members
to vote for the resolution. MIR.
Crisp raised the point of order
against the immediate consideration
Of the resolution, and held that it should
properly be referred to the committee on
elections, There WAS spirited colloquy
between Speaker Reed and Mr.. Crisp Of
Georgia, who 10 recognized as one OF the
ablest parlismentarisns in Congress, after
which several other gentlemen on both
sides Of the House Joined In the debate.
Finally the speaker was called upon TO
make o ruling ON the point of order. lie
adgoitly lodged and held that the queH.
ton involved the right of member to
his seat, and therefore was matter OF
the highest privilege, and under the cir.
cumstances he would refer it to the House
for their decision.
Thi5 ruling Was againGt all precedents,
but il was what the minority expected
from the present occupant of the chair.
Knowing that the Republicans are in the
majority, he could well afford to shirk
the responsibility Of al individual deci
aion and shift the burden upon the shoul
ders OF his party associates. OF courst
the resolution was agreed to, and as the
ruling goes on record the precedent hal
: been established which will enable the
Republicans to introduce series Of res
olutions in all OF the contested election
Gases and have them voted upon without
reference. Mr.. Crisp says that it il
, plain that the speaker proposes to carrI
, out the wishes of his party in dealing
: with these cases, and under the ruling
. he made to-day there is nothing to pre-
vent the Introduction of resolution Il
unseat any member against whom con
. test is to be made. The speaker will thei
, hold that it is question Of the highes
. privilege and refer it to the House for
l vote. II will them become the duty o
the minority TO determine whether tn
! vote shall proceed uninterruptedly.
! The ruling of the speaker was the auo
jeot of general comment when the Hous
8 adjourned, and the Democrats were di
q vidsd az 10 the full force Of the decision
4 Those members who have contests OF
a hand were very much alarmed, and wer
y busily employed in seeking information
y from party associates who are suppose
II to be well yerse6 in parliamentary law
! Word has been sent ont for every Demo
IS cratic member to be in the House so-mo,
row in anticipation Of any sharp prGc
1t tioe on the part of the majority. III
q Republicans will be compelled to show
!. quorum in order to do anything with th
+ contested cases. II may be that the
y will not make the Rtten. 2t, but if the
do, the speakers ruling to-day intimate
quite clearly what is to be expected
matters involving political questions.
Q DEMOCRATS FORCE ADJOURNMENT.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.--There was Of
\. other lively scene in the House Of Repr
" sentatiyes to-day accustomed by the arb
d, trary conduct of Speaker Reed. The r
of sult was that an unceremonious adjourn
" ment was reached before the session vi
10 an hour old, owing to the convictiC
ot among the Democrats that the speak
in war partial to the majority in recognizit
70 members for the introduction Of bills.
4. thus forcing an adjournment the Dem
/ Gratis scored decided victory, much
ID the discontinue of the Republicans al
OF the amusement Of the occupants OF Il
ID oallariAA