The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-06-26
MORE GAG LAW.
REEDS ATTEMPT TO PRE-
VENT DISCUSSION OF THE
SILVER BILL.
BUT HE Is DEFEATED FOR ONCE.
Remarks of Mills of Texas, Springer of
Illinois and Others-Views of Crisp
of Georgia and Bland of
Missouri.
BUT HE Is DEFEATED FOR ONCE.
FIFTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
HOUSE

FIFTY FIRST CONGRESS.
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, June 10. = The journal
having been read Mr.. Mills, of Texas, OBJ
jected to its approval on the ground that
the clerk had not read it in full,
The speaker suggested that the clerk had
only omitted to read such portions as is
customary not to read, but he ordered the
full reading of the journal. The clerk
proceeded to read that portion OF the jour
nal which discloses the reference of the sill
yer bill committee on coinage, weights and
measures. Mills and Mckinley re-
manned standing anxious TO claim
recognition. The latter was successful and
he moved that the journal be approved and
demanded the previous question, despite
Mr.. Mills protest that he was entitled to
recognition to move to correct the journal.
Mr.. Springer rising to question OF
order raised the poini that the journal con-
tanned the 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 directed the clerk to
The clerk proceeded with this duty
while Mr.. Springer amid the applause
of his side protested against
the ruling. To the speaker he said: You
can ignore the rights of the representatives
OF the people, but the people will pull you
down at the polls next November and your
party with YOU" But the speaker was i'm
perturbable and the roll call continued.
The house refused to order the previous
question. Yeas LOG, nays LII.
The following Republicans voted with
the Democrats In the negatives:
Messrs. Bartine, DeHaven, Kelly, Kerr
of Iowa, Lindsay, Morrow and Townsend
of Colorado.
When the loud Democratic applause had
ceased Mr.. Mills was recognized by the
speaker. He offered resolution reciting
that the order of reference made by the
speaker referring the silver bill to the COM
mittee on coinage weights and measures,
was incorrect under the rules of the house,
and was made without authority under the
rules, and resolving that the journal be
corrected by striking therefrom this entry.
Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois, raised the
point of order against the resolution. 1t
proposed to strike out an entry In the jour-
] nal which recorded question OF fact. 1t
was not in order for the reason that if
adopted it would have the effect OF chang
| ing the reference of a bill with senate
amendments otherwise than was provided
| by the rules of the house. He proceeded
| to argue that the senate amendments
would require to be considered in commit
tee of the whole. That being so it was
| the duty of the speaker to refer it to the
committee on coinage, weights and meas
ures, The resolution soughtto change some
thing that was in the journal which re-
corded the reference of the bill to the COM
mittee on coinage, weights and measures
under the rules. He know that there was
interest in this legislation. 1t was an i'm
portant matter. He knew that the gentle
men desired to consider it and it ought to
| be considered, but DO man on the floor Of
this house, whatever his views regarding
| the merits of this legislation, could consist
emily, with his own conscience and IN the
4 face of the country, vote to strike out the
| recital of a fact, and by this left handed
unparliamentary method take from the
committee bill which under the rules
| belonged to it.
| Mr.. Mills of Texas characterized Mr..
Cannon's position as the boldest most
reckless and absurd position he had ever
| 1t showed only that bright, well-stored,
| we'll disciplined mind might become
clouded by starting out in error and con-
| tinuing i'll that course.
| Vice is q monster of such frishtfui mien
| That it needs but to be seen;
But seen too oft, familiar with its face,
| We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
Laughter.
The gentleman and his party had started
| out at the beginning. OF the. session by as
surfing the country by code of rules that
one man or triumvirate could control the
action Of the representatives of 60,U00,OO0
| people. Under the constitution the journal
was to be kept by the house notify The speak
er or his clerks. He was astonished while
| the gentleman was pursuing his argument,
the speaker hadn't told him as he had the
4 Al. Atc( Mr. ~
ger) that this was question, for
the house to determine. He charg-
ed the Republican party with be-
ing false to it's pledges on the matter
of silver. The Democia attic party would
give the people free and unlimited coinage
of silver. Tho people will ask the Re-
publicans why they did not fulfill their
| promises.
Mr.. Peters, of Kansas, though declaring
himself free coinage man, sustained the
speakers action, contending under the
rules it was the speakers duty to refer the
bill as he had done.
Mr.. Biggs, of California, put an interrog-
atory with such vehemency as to draw
forth the laughter of the house, while Biggs
totally oblivious to the speakers gavel, con-
tinued to put his question, finally the
speaker asked sternly:
will the gentleman from California be
in order.
Il will" replied Mr. Biggs in meek and
pleasant voice, which again gave rise to
merriment.
Mr.. Crisp of Georgia submitted an argu-
ment 10 show that under the rules the
speaker had not power to refer the bill as
he hau done. In the course of his remarks
he referred to the decision made by the
spec ker in regard to the Washington post
office bill, which he held was totally at va
rance with the present decision.
Mr.. Butterworth controverted the con-
struction put upon the decision by Mr.
Crisp. He said if he had so construed the
speakers decision he would have voted to
override it.
Mr.. Crisp suggested that if the gentleman
had done that it would have been the first
time he had ever voted to override the
chair.
Mr.. Butterworth remarked smilingly that
the chair was always right.
Mr.. Crisp disclaimed any discourtesy in
drawing smile between the gel.tleman's
remarks TO the remark of the Hindoo when
he approached his hideous God: II know
that he is ugly but feel that he is great"
This sally gave rise to hearty laughter
in which the speaker Joined. Though in a
ba rooa nd drvlv said 'ttha chair