Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-02-18
Great Britain. the Speaker always had ths
power to count the House. and TO deter.
mine the presence Of quorum.
Caritae Himself Established Pre-

mine the presence Of . quorum.
Cariis,s Himself Established Pre-
cedent.
| Carlisle charged the gentleman to cite an
inssance where it had been done In this
House before this Congress
| Cannon vas under the impression that
Carlisle. when Sps aker. bad without any
instructions ordered the House counted.
| Carlisle denied this.
Blount Of GeorgiA said the rules never
contemplated the exercise Of any such
power ~ that exerci.ed this morning.
Lodge of Massachusetts argued in favor
| of the Speakers position
Carlisle maintained that the moment the
teilefs we're ordered BY the House to take
| their pisces. the power Of the chair to
count, except upon their report, ceased.
The very purpose Of ordering tellers was
TO prevent the Speaker from making count
ard put it in the hands Of the gentlemen
chosen. one from one side, one from the
other side.
After further debate the Speaker said
provision second Of Clause 20 70 the rule
was Pc cslliar. The question was like that
repeatedly passed upon BY the House. Un-
der the constitution . quorum was neces-
sars TO transact business. Whether il was
necessary for them TO act vas the question
in dispute. In this House the qaesitoa was
settled that II majority was present TO co
business, their presence vas all that was
required 10 make . quorum. II trey de-
elined 10 vote, their iHaction could not be
10 the path say Of those who did their duty.
He had never seen q decision Of the court
adverse to the position now assumed by the
House of Representatives. The only ques-
ton remaining vas one Of detail. by what
ethod should the presence Of Q quorum
be sscertainedf Examinatioo of ali books
on parliamentary practice would show that
it had been the practice from time immem-
orial for the presiding officer TO determine
in such a manner ~ he deemed accurate
and suitable, the presence of q quorum
The rules Of the House contained nothing
derogatory. In this case, the Chair repeat
edly counted the House during the vote,
and after il closed; being satisfied that a
quorum is present to d. busi-
mess, it announces yeas ia, nays 8. mo-
ton seconded.
Gambler of Massachusetts,, Flower of
New York, HIT of Illnos, Hatch Of Mis-
souri,, and Wilson Of West Virginia called
for speedy action on the report of the com
mitiee on motion to suspend the rules and
make a special order for fair bills which |
resulted, yeas l48, nays 27. The special
order was made
The call of committees being concluded, |
Perkins of Kansas moved to suspend the |
rules aud pass bill for the relief of the |
Sioux Indians of Devils Lake Agency |
North Dakota, the Indians represented 10
be starving and there being need for i'm |
mediate action. The bill passed without
division.
Banks of Massachusetts called up the |
bill TO provide for the appointment of thirty |
additional medical examiners in the pension |
office. After discussion the yeas and nays
wei re taken upon passing the bill, resulting
yeas l09, nays 10. No quorum.
The House at 35 adjourned.