The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-06
Monotonous Roll Calls which Finally
Tired Out Determined Majority
Organized to Eject

AOWOU 0A0 6HCCAoA OAO01 6cuUluR OOWu Two
days for the consideration of the Butter
worth option bill. OF course those opposed
to the latter bill were delighted. Mr.. Ma
sons example was followed by gentlemen
interested in defeating other measures.
Monday, September 8, was District of Co.
lumbia day. A bill giving the Baltimore l.
Potomac Railroad company freight facili-
ties in Washington was bitterly opposed.
The majority of the house favored it. Its
| opponents, however, went so far as to leave
| the house without a quorum when the bill
| was reported back from the committee Of
the whole and the previous question moved.
This threw it over until the next district
day, a fortnight afterwards.
On the next day Nils p. Haugen, of Wis
consion. called up the contested election
case of Langston against Venable. Langs-
ton IS the well-known colored professor,
who. downed Malone. He somewhat
resembles Herman, the prestidieitateur.
Colonel O'Farrall, of Virginia, promptly
raised the question of consideration. Only
lob Representatives voted. A call of the
House developed a quorum. l66 members
being present. Upon a motion to adjourn
Immediately afterwards only 81 members
voted. The quorum had vanished. It was
evidently somewhere about the Capitol, but
not to be seen by the Speaker. Then an
other call of the House was ordered, and the
day was spent in a vain effort to do business.
Day after day followed in vain efforts to
secure quorum. The journal of Tuesday
could not be approved without one. Even
bills that where enRrossed, including the
| river and harbor bill. could not 20 to the
President without being presented to a,
House with q quorum present. Scores of
bills that had passed both branches of Con-
gress were thus blockaded.
The scene on September 10 is worth de-
pictinR. 1t will give those who have never
visited Washington some idea of day in
the house without quorum.
Members began to appear as early as 1880
a. m. Some answered their morning mails.
Others stood at their desks or stayed around
the chamber with their hats on, discussing
the Maine election, and chatting with visit
ing constituents. About 1l:30 floral tributes
were placed upon the speakers desk. One
was small pine tree, ornamented 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
podesty stood in the way. He remained in
his private room and did not appear upon
the floor during the day.
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''
hummed. Belated members came in
through the various entrances and sought
the cloak rooms to put away their hats.
few of those at their desks were on the qui
vive. Nils Haugen kept close watch ON the
proceedings, determined to force the Lang
opportunity. Election cases are privileged.
''The clerk will read the journal of yes
terday's proceedings" Speaker Burrows
Colonel O'Ferrall. Mr.. venable's col
league, was on his feet in an instant. "Mr.
is no quorum present and that we should
have quorum to approve the journal.''
At this Mr.. Burrows said that the chair
would ascertain whether there was
quorum present. He seized the head of the
mallet, extended his arm, and began to
who entered the house before the count was
concluded stopped in the arena fronting
him, raised their hands, and shouted;
Zone more, MIR. speaker"
At 11:45 a. m. the One-armed hero, Capt.
j. w. White, stood at the clerks desk and
shotued: Gentlemen, am requested by
the dGorkeeper to ask all persons not men,
bers OF employees of the house to withdraw
from the floor"
A score of ladies. correspondents and
other visitors moved towards the main
entrance. BY 11:55 none but members and
employees was on the floor.
The blind chaplain's substitute entered
from the speakers lobby and sat down at
the clerks desk. Meantime 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, a
favorite with both sides of the house. He
kept his eye upon the clock while convers-
ing with the clerk. At high noon he
mounted the rostrum. seized the gavel and
thumped the desk with decision.
1.-The house will be in ORDER" he said.
Most of the members rose to their feet.
moment afterwards Mr.. Burrows added:
''The chaplain will offer prayer"
Mr.. Burrows counted l35 members pres