Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-19

THE SPEAKERS COUNT CHALLENGED.
The Speaker counted l64 members present
a quorum.
Mr.. Crisp challenged the correctness Of the
count He did this with the utmost respect for
the Speaker and with the utmost sincerity
When members were moving around and call
ing out zone more the Speaker was liable to
err. He asked the Speaker in the exercise of
the power lodged in him, to order telers to
verify the count.
The Speaker said that he had taken great
pains III the count, aud had no doubt about its
correctness.
Mr.. Buchanan (N.J.)-Bring in your men
and order tcllers
DOZEN DEMOCRATS IN THE LOBBY.
The Speaker said that he was informed by
the doorkeepers that there were dozen DEM
ocrats in the lobby.
Mr.. Crisp retorted that there was no provis-
ion of the rules under which the door keepers
could count a quorum.
The Speaker declared that the yeas had it,
and that the amendment was laid upon the
table.
Mr.. Crisp-Does the chair decline to order
tellers?
The Speaker-The chair does.
Mr.. cHEADLE ROSE IN PROTEST,
but his voice was drowned in a chorus of de-
mands for the regular order" from the repub-
licans.
Mr.. Mckinley (Ohio) hoped that the gentle
man would be permitted to say word
The Speaker coincided in this hope, but Mr.
funston (kan.) interposed a strenuous objec-
ton.
But above the din Mr.. Cheadle was heard to
declare that when the correctness of the count
was questioned tellers should be appointed
There should be no doubt about the correct
ness Of the count.
The Speaker stated that the question was on
the approval Of the journal and the vote being
taken resulted-ayes, l62; nays, 2.
Mr.. Crisp raised the point of no quorum.
The Speaker replied that Mr.. De Haven
Gal. was present, but had not voted This
gentleman. together with the Speaker. made
l66 members present, although the Speaker
was OF the opinion that 164 members consti-
tuted C quorum.
MR. CRISP AGAIN CHALLENGED
the correctness of the count
The Speaker said that he had twice carefully
counted the House. but as gentlemen other
than members were admitted to the floor the
Speaker might have fallen into error, and the
Speaker would. therefore, order tellers.
Mr.. Mckinley thought that the Speaker
should do 30 even though hundred members
Of the other side
ABsESTED THEMSELVES IN ORDER TO oBsTRucr
BUSINESS
MIR. Crisp said the republicans must have
quorum of their own members when they de-
sired to turn out duly elected Representative
OF the people.
MR.. MK1NLEY REPLIED
that by simple nod the gentleman from Geor-
gia could bring in enough democratic votes to
order tellers But the Speaker was right in
ordering teilers when his count was questioned.
THE SPEAKER SAID
that no matter what the conduct of gentlemen
who were obstructing legislation (if they were
flc aS,,, ~ l.
no mistake be made in the count Notwith-
standing what might be thought by the House
and the country Of the acts which caused it to
be done he would order telers.
TKLLERs TO COUNT THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Mckinley and Mr.. Crisp were appointed
tellers to count the House
RATHER AMUSING INCIDENT
occurred as the teller' took their places. Mr..
Holman Qnd. was about to leave the hall
when he was spied by the Speaker. who, in a
loud tone, directed the tellers to count tho gen.
tleman from Indiana.
Mr. Holman then turned and, amid laughter
and applause, passed between the tellers.
THE SPEAKER COUNTED RIGHT.
After waiting quarter of an hour the tellers
announced the presence of 164 members.
MIR. CRISP SAYS I6i ARE NOT QUORUM
Mr.. Crisp made the point Of order that, not
withstanding the four vacancies existing in the
House, l64 members did not constitute a
quorum.
In the course OF his argumen. he referred to
the decision made at the beginning of the war
OF the secession; whereupon the Speaker sug-
gested soto voce that there was q necessity for
similar decision now.
MR.. CRISP REToRrEp
that he was arguing serious matter and would
not notice side-bar and undignified remarks.
Mr. Houk (Tenn.) (referring to the desertion
OF the democratic side) said that it was
FAMILIAR REPETITION OF SECESSION.
Mr.. Crisp said that he would not go into the
question of secession with the gentleman
from Tennessee. That was long way behind
him.
Mr.. Houk retorted that he was referring to
the present secession.
Mr.. Crisp thought that it was sufficient to
reply that the absent members believed that
when the majority had given notice that il was
going to unseat an elected member that ma
Jority must have quorum.
The point of order was discussed by Mr.
Grosvenor (Ohio), Mr.. Holman Qnd.) and Mr..
Reilly (Pa).
TIE SPEAKERS DECISION on THE QUORUM QUEs-
TIoN.
The Speaker promised his decision with the
reservation that If after careful examination
he would find precedent in opposition to it he
would not adhere to it.
Tho chair had q distinct recollection that
Speaker Randall had held that quorum was
a majority of the living members, but he could
not find the decision in the journal.
The decision OF Speaker Grow in 1861 did not
appear, on examination, to 60 SO far as the
chair and some members had thought, it only
went to the extent of saying that majority OF
those members originally chosen would con-
stitute quorum Of the House. The question
as to whether majority Of those sworn in
should constitute q quorum had been left in
abeyance. All previous decisions had been
that quorum must consist of majority of
those that might have been chosen.
The only hesitancy on the part of the chair
was his recollection Of the opinion Of Speaker
Randall. Nevertheless the chair did not think
that any doubtful decision ought to be made
and would therefore adhere TO the rule that
ONE HUNDRED AND sIxTY-sIx MEMBERS coNsrI-
TUrKD A QUORUM.
call OF the House was therefore ordered
and as a few democrats entered the chamber
the presence Of ITO members was disclosed
THE JOURNAL AppovEp.
The Speaker announced the question TO be
on the approval Of the journal, and it was ap-
proved.
THE DEMOCRATS AGAIN RETIRE
The question recurred on ordering the prev
ious question on the Langston-venable case.
The democrats then retired only Messrs.
OFerrail, Crisp, Reilly, Holman and
Parrott remaining in their seats. The