St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-09-20
Republicans Squirm Over the
Action of Democrats in
the House
In Deserving Their Seats to
Prevent Seating an I'm
elected Member.
The House Obliged to Take a
Recess Owing to Lack Of
a Quorum.
Commercial Bodies Asking
That the Bankruptcy Bill
Be Not Passed.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19.-In the house
to-day, Mr.. Crisp moved that yester-
days journal be corrected, but this mo-
ton was laid on the table-yeas 13O,
nays 2!and MIR. Crisp raised the point
OF no quorum. The speaker counted 1854
members present-a quorum. Mr.. Crisp
challenged the correctness of the
count. The speaker said that he had
taken great pains in the count, and had
no doubt about its correctness. He was
informed by the doorkeeper that there
were dozen Democrats III the lobby.
Mr.. Crisp retorted that there was no
provision of the rules under which the
doorkeepers could count quorum. The
speaker declared that the yeas had it,
and that the motion was laid on 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 Irregular order'' from
the Republicans. MIR. Mckinley, of
Ohio, hoped that the gentleman would
be permitted to say word. The
speaker conceded in this hope; but Mr..
Funston,Of Kansas. interposed strenu-
Gus objection. But above the din Mr..
Cheadle was heard to declare that when
the correctness of the count was uues-
toned a teller should be appointed.
There should be no doubt about the cor
rectness of the count. The speaker
stated that the question was on the ap-
proval of the journal, and the vote be-
ing taken, resulted 1862 to 2. Mr.. Crisp
raised the point Of no quorum. The
speaker replied that Mr.. De Haven. of
California, was present, but had not
voted. This gentleman, together with
the speaker, made 166 members present,
although the speaker was of the opinion
that 164 members constituted quorum.
Mr. Crisp again challenged the
Correctness of the Count.
The speaker said that he had twice
carefully counted the house, but as gem
tlemen other than members were ad-
mitted to the floor the speaker might
have fallen into error, and the speaker
would therefore order tellers. Mr.. Nc
Kinley thought that the speaker should
do so, even though 100 members of the
other side absented themselves in order
to obstruct business. Mr.. Crisp said
that the Republicans must have a
quorum of their own members when
they desired to turn out duly elected
representative of the people. Mr.. Nc
KInley replied that by simple nod the
gentleman from Georgia could bring in
TO- tA0 II 4olr
the speaker was right in ordering tellers
when his count was questioned. The
speaker said that no matter what the
conduct of gentlemen who were OBJ
strncting legislation Gf they were OBJ
structing it) might be, it was desirable
that no mistake be made in the count.
Notwithstanding what might be thought
by the house and the country
OF the acts which caused it to be done,
he would order tellerS. Mr.. Mckinley
and Mr.. Crisp were appointed tellers to
count the house. A rather amusing in
cident occurred as the tellers took their
places. Mr.. Holman. of Indiana. was
about to leave the hall. when he was
spled by the speaker, who in loud tone
directed the tellerS to count the gentle
man from Indiana. Mr.. Holman then
turned and, amid
Laughter and Applause,
passed between the tellers. After wait
ing quarter of an hour the tellers an
nounced the presence of 164 members.
Mr.. Crisp made the point of order that,
notwithstanding the four vacancies ax-
istlng in the membership of the house,
164 members did not constitute a
quorum. In the course of his argument
he referred to the decisions made at the
beginning of the war, whereupon the
speaker suggested soto voce that there
was necessity for similar decisions
now. Mr.. Crisp retCrted that he was ar
guing a serious matter, and would not
notice side-bar aud undignifed remarks.
Mr.. HOuk, Tennessee, referr n to the
desertion of the Democratic side, said
that it was familiar repetition of seces-
sion. Mr.. Crisp said that he would no
go into the question of secession with
was a 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 it was
going to unseat an elected member, that
majority must have quorum The
point of order was discussed by Mr..
Grosvenor, of Ohio, Mr.. Holman, of In
dinana. and Mr.. Reilly, of Pennsilvina.
The speaker promised his decision with
the reservation that if. after careful ex-
animation, he should find precedents In
opposition to it. he would not adhere to
it. He decided to adhere to the rule
that 166 members constituted a quorum.
A call of the house was therefore
ordered, and as few Democrats entered
the chamber the presence of ITO mem
bers was disclosed. The speaker an
nOunced the question to be on the
Approval Of the Journal,
| and it was approved.
The question REQUIRED on ordering the
previous question on the Langstone-
Venable case. The Democrats then re-
tired, only Messrs. O'Ferrall, Crisp.
Reilly, Holman and Parrett remaining
in their seats. The previous question
was ordered: Yeas, I47; nays. Z, the
| clerk noting quorum. Mr.. Cheadle.
Indiana, and Mr.. Coleman, of Louisi-
ana, Reps.) voted in the negative. Mr..
Cheadle moved to recOmmt the case.
Lost, to 145. The question recurring
on the minority resolution, declaring
| Langstone elected, the quorum disaD-
peared and a call of the house was or
| dered, which disclosed the presence of
| 167 members. The minority resolution
was then rejected and the vote was
| taken on the second minority resolution,
| declaring Venable duly elected. Lost,
to 155, the speaker counting quorum
| The first majority resolution, declaring
! Venable not elected, was next in order:
! and again the quorum disappeared, and
| Onca more was If necessary To 0rdpr n