Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-06-20
Another Breeze in the House.

The Journal having been read, Mckinley
moved it be approved. Upon this he de
nanded the previous question despite
Mills protest that he WAS entitled to recog
milton TO move to correct that part of the
journal which recsrds the reference of the
silver bill to the committee on coinage
| weights and measures.
Springer rising to q question of order
raised the point that the journal contained
record of something which had never
happened and which should not be in the
journal.
The Speaker replied that it was for the
House to decide and erected the clerk to
call the roll. The clerk proceeded with
this duty while Mfr. Springer entered bis
protest. addressing the Speaker sln.smyiug.
You can ignore the rights of the repre-
sentatives OF the people, but the people
will pull you down, sir, at the polls next
November and your party with you.
But the Speaker was imperturtsble and
the roll call continued.
The previous question was voted down.
yeas. 1906; nays, II.
Mills offered a resolution recording the
order of reference. made by the Speaker in
referring the silver bill to the committee
on coinage, weights and measures, as in
correct and made without authority under
rules. and resolving that the journal be
corrected by striking tberefrom this entry
Butterwor,h held that the real question
before the House was whether or not the
Speaker has referred the bill to the COM
mite c. not that 1t was or was not properly
referred. The resolution offered recited a
certain thing as DONE and done erroneous
ly, and because it WAS done erroueously ii
was not done at ALL
Anderson Of Kansas while DC airing him.
self an earnest advocate of free coinage,
maintained the correctness of the Speakers
ruling. The Speaker was bound to obey
the rules Of the House and had done so.
He Anderson wanted to ask the chair
man of the committee on coinage. weights
and measures whether the committee would
give the House a chance to vote upon the
measure.
Conger, chairman of that committee re-
Piled that he would make every effort to
secure legislation on this subject.
Anderson proceeded to argue in favor of
the position taken BY the Speaker, citing to
decisions of former Speakers to show it
directly in line of precedents.
Burrows of Michigan. held under rule
"a, that 1t was plain duty of the Speaker to
refer any House bill with Senate amend
meuis. carrying appropriations, to an ap-
propriate committee.
Mills of Texas, said the point that had
been made was under the existing rules
and the silver bill remained upon the
Speakers table to be disposed of ~ the
House and not the Speaker should determ-
inc.
Breckipbridge of Kentucky argued If
the speaker went beyond the scope of his
authority in his reference Of the bill, his
action vas not erroneous, but illegal and
void and the action Of the Speaker bad no
validity unless the House gave it validity.
II the pending resolutions we're voted devn
the. reference Of the bill would be the act
of the House and not of the Speaker. He
Who voted to sustain the reference, would
vote to give it validity.
The Speaker, in rendering bis decision.
said he desired the members of the House
to divest themselves of the idea that any
unusual procedure would take place in
connection With this bill. The reference
Of bills of this kind, and in this way. had
been of daily occurrence since the sdop-
ton of the present rules. The Chair de-
sired the House to know that this particular
transaction did not take place in . corner.
In the regular course of business the
journal clerk informed the Speaker that
among the list Of bills to be referred under
rules to the appropriate committees vas the
slver bill. With Senate amendments. The
Speaker had been asked whether he had
any particular direction to make in regard
to it, Knowing the bill to be one of grave
public importance he Was anxious that be
should have all possible light on the sub
jet. TIE Chair consulted the democratic
m ,mbsrs Of the committee on rules, Blount
and Mcmillan. and the gentlemen from
NJ ssouri and Illinois Bland and Springer
no, for the purpose of throwing any
res possibility upon them, but in order
that he might benefit by any light
which they might be able to give HIM
After conversng with those gentlemen il
seemed clear to the Chair that the rules Of
the Eouse covered the question and his
| duty vas to tseat the bill ~ be would treat
any ether measure. Accordingly the clerk
vas Tot directed 10 make any change in re-
| gard to reference. The House must bear
| in nj nd this is not question of politics or
cure ncy. The question vas parliamentary
Law; and on the decision Of the House de-
pend ID the carrying out Of the system OF
rules the House adopeed. II not salts
fed With the reference directad by the
Sp aker under the present system Of fules
the House could change the reference.
Did this bill contain psovisiors which under
the rules ought to be considered in com
miitee Of the whole: There VS. . pro.
vision in the original House bill BY
which certain bullion vas to be pur.
chased and certificates issued thereon
The Senste amendment vas for coinage
! For this the appropriation Vas made II
anything vas clear in pasiiamenfary INV. 4
vas that this bill vas one Of these tha
xanh be rrupefiy canaidefsd in cammiffes