Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-09-20
MASON'S TACTICS.
Democrats Use Them with
Great Success.
WANTED, "A QUORUM IN TIE HOUSE

The Speakers Efforts to Obtain One
Baffied by the Use of BILLY" Mason's
Method of Hiking Out-The Photo
graph rs a Campaign Device-Plumb's
Queries to the Treasury Promptly An
swered-The National Bankruptcy Bill
Probably Shelyed.
WASHINGTON CITY. Sept. oh ow
many members is full house for the
purpose of determining what quorum lisp
That is the question that Speaker Reed
decided temporarily yesterday In his de-
cision he went upon the theory that the
number of living Notwithstanding out
the vacancies-is the basis of quorum.
This position was autagonized by Crisp of
Georgia, who contended that the whole
number represented by the number of
congressional districts in the country was
the correct basis
Decision with n String to 1t.
The speaker promised his decision with
the reservation that it, after careful ex-
animation, he should find precedents in
opposition to it, he would not adhere to
it. The chair had distinct recollection
that Speaker Randall had held that a
quorum WAS majority of the living
members. But he could not find the de-
cision in the journal. The decision of
Speaker Grow in 1861 did not appear, on
examination, to go so far as the chair,
and some members had thought. 1t only
went to the extent OF saying that a ma jor
ity of those members originally chosen
constituted a quorum of the house The
question rs to whether majority of those
sworn in should constitute quorum
had been left in allegiance
What the Earlier Decisions Were.
All previous decisions had been that a
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 1874 members con-
stituted a quorum, and in counting
quorums during the session the speaker
did ii in accordance with that rule.
Scenes in the House.
The scenes in and about the house yes.
terday were similar TO those which have
been enacted ever since the filibustering
tactics were first inaugurated, although
shed or broken noses. The Republicans
could not get quorum of their own MEM
bers and as the Democrats refused per-
sistently to enter the hall the speaker
found it very difficult task TO find a suf-
ficent number of members TO make up a
quorum.
kilgore's Vigorous Kick.
The action of kilgore Thursday in kick
ing down the door in order to leave the
chamber gave rise to the report that he
would be brought before the bar of the
house for contempt, but it was soon found
that this would not be done as kilgore
actually violated no rule of the house.
At the moment he was refused exit pro-
been dispensed with and he had perfect
right to order the doors open and was
technically justified in forcing his way.
Photographic Political Thunder.
The Republicans claim that they have
entire confidence that the people of the
country will not indorse the present fill
clustering tactics of the Democrats, and
that their action in leaving the hall
will help the Republicans materially dur
ing the coming campaign. Having in
mind this belief. they have utilized the
situation in novel manner to make cam
paign capital out of the present situation.
services of photographer and placed
him in the galleries to take pictures of the
| chamber with the empty seats on the
Democratic side and all the Republicans
in their places