New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-31

not in the line of what gentlemen were pleased TO
departure from the practice which been tolerated.
at least by the House for possibly half century ana
which was, in a measure, sanctied by antiquity, II
antiquity could sancfy that which was In Itself wrong
This question went to the power OF the majority 10
whether the Constitution contained in itself the clemens
Of suicide. This Government OF the people.
Expressed in another way 1t was the Government Of
the majority. The majority exercise that author
lty in legislation and government which was IN Keep
Ing with the furthcance Of the provisions OF the Con-
Mr. Buterworth utterly dlssented from the PROPOSE
ton advocated by the gentleman on the Other SIDE
IL had been argued that II for member to answer
to himself and TO his constituents alone whether ne
would vote and discharge his duty here or not lie
utterly denied the soundness Of the proposition That
would have done when IL was held that members were
January, 1890 Applause on Republican sde1 he
was not here to legsate simply for himself and for
whole country, and the whole country had right
to exact Of him tina; he be In his place ana perform
yded that those no were present might bring the
absentees into the chamber, not to serve their
try, whose servants they we're Applause on the Re
publican side.) The Republicans not proposing
fathers remove but the to '" s5S% SSt Se %
never established those landmarks; The Speaker has
Competent to pass bill except by constitutional
majority. lie had said that bills often passed by re
parliamentary usage the assent Of all was assumed:
The question was not as to whether constitutional
majority was required 10 DO business Dut as 10 now
the presence of quorum should be determined That
was question of fact
an article Of the Speakers discussing the propositIon
in which the latter said 1t is not the physical
presence Of vot the member but his uGs
qures' Mr.. Butterworth agreed with the
gentlemen were participating yesterday. IL they
were not, what were they dongl What did
Surprising the minority should decide that they would
not participate, and should refuse to vote for
general appropriation bill What would be the effect
Of their acti0nl Under the Constitution. the Govern.
ment could not use penny though the wheels OF
cxampled and unequalled surplus and overtaxed
people. Was that revolutionary or not
The idea OF members not participating when they
were sitting in their chairs drawing ten or twelve
A member on the Democratic side suggested that
there was no rule for what the Republicans were
q Yes, We have rule.1 Mr. Butterworth rctOrted I;
Mr.; Butterworth. resnming. conceded that what
the House might well be regarded with some anxiety
but why should the minority he asked be permitted 70
indefinite time Mpplause) He quoted Wharton
American Law to the effect that improper or neon
Presidents veto and by the decision of the supreme
Court and went on to say
I am not afraid Of this ruling We have aequlesced
OF the minority TO be heard on every question; TO
approve oppose what is proposed TO enter its pro
to all that this minority here insists that IL has con
stutonal right to stand in the way of legislation tat
it dsapproves. Such is neither the letter nor the
spirit Of the Constitution Such was not the idea OF
the Fathers touching legislation In this country They
provided not against the silence but against the alb
the Fathers provided for the right TO amend, or
to do whatever they wished 10 perfect legislation
But sovereign will of the people Is represented IN
the majority and. until that right shall be overthrow
by revolution otherwise the decision OF the speaker
must be upheld indicating the rights OF all inc PEG
pie OF this country AppauSeD
Mr.. Mckinley moved 10 lay on the table the appeal
from the Speakers decision. . -
Shouts of disapproval were heard on the Demo
cratic side but Mr. Mckinley persisted in his motion
and Mr. Springer moved that the House adjourn.
on rising vote the result was announced as yeas,
1874: NAYS, 149. Then Mr. Springer demanded the
yeas and nays and when they called, the result
was announced a yeas 145; nays, l6l. .
So the House refused to adjourn; and the question
required in the motion to lay the appeal on the table
on which question the yeas and nays were demanded
from the Democratic side The clerk proceeded with
tho call, no Democrat responding, and most OF them
leaving their seats and going 20 the CLOAK rooms
When the vote was completed the speaker took the
return from the tally clerk and said THE clerk will
record the following names OF members present and de-
cllning to vO e." And he read out twentysix names.
He then "npCGncd the vote 162 yeas and none In
the negay' and declared that the motion to lay the
appeal on 10 isr.o carried.
There ,t3 Is of No quorum" and exclama-
tiOns of indgr- on on the Democratic SIDE but. In
the midst Of the tumult and uproar the Speaker
recognized, So Mckinley for motion to adjourn: put
the chair amid ,'oGts Of " shame' from the - tied
Democrats he Iilised long enough 10 give Mr..
Springer a chance that he had demanded the
yeas and nays Mr.. Springer had the poor satisfaction
of having tho ayes and nays called; with the result
Yeas. 1914; nays, 81. The House then, at 8 35, adj
iOupnpd