Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-24
YESTERDAYS CRIME.
The Bare Quorum OF the Republican,
interruptions Use Of tt-Coincidence.

interruptions Use Of It-Coincidepce.
ny telegraph 10 the Dispa,ch.l
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. September 23.--By
its action to-day in seating Langston the
| House ended what was probably the most
protraoted and bitterly contested election
case it has ever decided. During the
| closing DAYS Of the last Congress the Dem
[ ocrats made strenuous effort to unsea'
| FELTON, and put in Sullivan as a representa-.
| tive from California, but they were de-
| feated bv the refusal Of a majority Of the
Republicans 10 vote upon the PROPOSE.
ton.
The result Of to-day's proceedings was @
surprise 20 the Democratic minority
which. after two weeks successful OPEN.
ton Of, what has become known n the
MASON plan" of obstruction, was conf.
dent that It's opponents could not secure q
quorum. But the whips" had been nc
tive and word was passed around before
the House met that "a quorum would be
present.
RADICAL ApPBRHYNsIOSs.
The result Of the first roll-call 20 approve
the journal was awaited with considerable
nervousness by the Republicans. During
the call 1t was discovered that Milliken, OF
Maine. who had Just returned 20 the city,
was not present, and Immediately messen-
gers anu pages were sent SCOUTING the ~ ~
TO look him up. As the Clerk proceeded II
was also noticed that Mud. Of MARYLAND,
had failed TO respond. and Chairman
Rowel. Of the Elections Committee, went
himself IN pursuit Of the absentee. But II
appeared that these apprehenslons were
grOuudless. rs Sweeney. Of Iowa. who had
hardly been expected so soon. came into
the House lust IN season TO cast the vote
necessary 70 make quorum.
ExrEDnIoUs PROCEEDINGS.
Further proceedings were remarkably
expeditions. and Mr. O'Ferrall, the lonely
Democratic sentinel, was absolutely pow
crless TO check the majority III lts tull
swing. The yea-and-nay vote declaring
that Mr. Nena5le was not elected showed
that there were 1G5 Republicans IN attend
ance. including those who did not vote
but were paired-namely Bliss, Browne
of Virginia, Cooper of Ohio, De Haven,
Frank. McCOrd. Nckenna, Stockbrldee,
Waddiil. Wade. Wright. and lardley. L.
NJ Brown. OF Indiana. Butterworth. Con-
nell. Ewart. Finley, Hansbrough, Peters,
and Wilson of Kentucky were the kepuD-
hcans who were absent without pairs. and
of these Brown, Finley. and Wilson had
leave of absence on account OF sickness.
Speaker Reed stood ready 10 cast his bal
lot. but did not do so, az quorum APP
ltaItu WITHOUT III.
TIE MILLEB-ELLIOrT GASP.
The Miller case, which followed the
LangstOn case, was an even greater sur
prise. and. IN fact, IL was not known gene
rally 20 the Republicans that the leaders
contemplated tins move. The resolution
which unseated Elliott and seated Miller
was cleverly framed so as TO be indivisioie,
and n single vote suiliceG 10 achieve what
had required four separate votes III the
LanCstOn case.
The Democratic minority was consider
ably veNed over the result of the day
proceedings. and call Tor caucus was
circulated with the purpose of endeaYor-
ing TO unite the party by way of retalia-
ton upon policy of treatment OF the con-
ference report upon the tariif bill, winch
wonld require the Republicans 10 MAINTAIN
"A quorum OF their own members to dispose
of that report. but owing 10 the lateness OF
the hour and the small attendance OF
Democratic mem bers. the attempt 10
caucus was temporarily abandoned, al
though II was stated that 1T would PROB
ably be renewed tomorrow.
A COINCIDENCE.
It is somewhat of a coincidence that the
two Democrats unseated 10y the House to-
dav-Messrs. Venable Of Virginia, after a
protracted fight, and Elliott OF South
Carolina, without a word of discussion
will go before their nominating conven-
tiOns tomorrow.