Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-10-05

The scene Of September 10 is wort h
depicting. 1t will give those who have
never visited Washington some idea OF
day i'm the House without quorum.
Members began to appear as carly as
1890 a. m. Some answered their morn
ing mails. Others stood at their desks
or Strayed around the chamber, with
their hats on. discussing the Maine cleo
ton, and chatting with visiting con-
Stitucnts. About half past eleven floral
tributes were placed upon the Speakers
desk. One was a small pine tree, orna-
mented by the American flag. Another
was huge floral gavel. adorned with
the word business. In view of what
followed it was out of place. Speaker
Reed had returned to the Capitol that
morning. fresh from his triumph in
Maine. His admirers had banked his
desk with flowers, evidently fancying
that he would enter the House in state.
His modcSty stood in the way. He re-
manned in his private room and did not
appear upon the floor during the day.
At l1:45 a. IN. the Onc-armed hero,
Captain j. w. White. stood at the
clerks desk and shouted: "Gentlemen.
| am requested by the doorkeeper to ask
all persons not members or employees OF
the House to withdraw from the floor. "
A score of ladies, correspondents and
other visitors moved towards the main
entrance. BY 1853 none but members
and employees was on the floor.
The blind chaplain's substitute en-
tered from the Speakers lobby and sat
down at the clerks desk. Meantime a
man of fine presence, with smiling
blue eyes and close cropped grizzly
beard stood leaning his elbow upon the
Speakers desk. He was Julius Cesar
Burrows. Speaker pro tenn, favorite
with both sides of the House. He kept
his eye upon the clock while cOnversing
with clerk. At high noon he mounted
the rostrum. seized the gave and
thumped the desk with decision.
'Ihe House will be in order. he said.
Most of the members rose to their
feet. 4 moment afterwards Mr.. Bur
rows added: THE chaplain will offer
prayer.
The thin clergyman crossed his hands
upon the clerks desk and prayed for
| five minutes. He ended with the lords
prayer, distinctly enunciated. The word
Amen" had hardly beed uttered be-
/ fore the chamber hummed. Belated
members came in through the various
entrances and sought the cloak-rOoms to
put away their hats. 4 few Of those at
their desks were on the qld uiUc. Nils
Haugen kept close watch on the pro-
ceedingS, determined to force the
Lang -Venable case on the House at
the first opportunity. Election cases
are privileged.
'The clerk will read the journal of
Yesterdays proceedings" Speaker Bur
rows said.
Colonel O'Ferrall, Mr.. Nena5le'S col
league, was on his feet in an instant.
Mr.. Speaker" he shouted, Il suggest
that there is no quorum present. and
that we should have quorum to APP
prove the journal"
At this, Mr.. Burrows said that the
chair would ascertain whether there was
a quorum present. He seized the head
of the mallet, extended his arm. and be.
gan to count members with the handle
Those who entered the House before the
count was concluded stopped in the
arena fronting him. raised their hagds
and shouted: "One more. Mr.. Speaker g
Mr.. Burrows counted 1875 member.
present 81 short of a quorum Al
this, Nils Haugen. who was seated in
the outer row of chairs. roared: Mr.
Speaker, move a call of the House"
Mr.. Burrows put the motion. and an
nounced that the ayes seemed to have
it.
Colonel O'Ferrall shouted: "Divis
ion"
! ''Those in favor of the notion" Mr.