Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-17

arose it would go to some other forum. 1t was
the purpose of his side of the House to see that
this occasion should be made in such shape as
would permit it to be finally and decisively
passed upon. Therefore he now saw no reason
why the journal, the form of which the House
had a right to prescribe, should not be ap-
proved. This was done.
On motion Of Mr.. Morrill, (Kan) q COM
mittee Of conference was ordered upon the
Senate bill to increase the pension of soldiers
and sailors totally helpless from injuries or dis
ease received or incurred in service, and the
Speaker named Messrs. Morrow. Sawyer and
Yoder as conferees.
The Speaker announced that this was sus-
pension day and
THE COMMITTEES WERE CALLED IN ORDER
On motion Of Mr.. Culberson CTex.) in be-
half OF the Judiciary committee, bill was
passed for the relief of Frank A. Lee.
Mr.. Lanham CTex.), from the committee on
military affairs, moved to suspend the rules and
pass the bill providing for the sale or removal
new site and the erection of suitable build
ings thereon.
Mr.. Cannon Qll.) made the point Of order
that the committee had not instructed the
gentleman to take this course.
MIR. Lanham asserted that the members of
the committee had informally authorized his
action; but the Speaker sustained the point of
order and the bill was withdrawn.
Mr.. Payson IlL). from the committee on
public lands, moved to suspend the rules and
pass the bill providing for the compulsory at
tendance of witnesses before registers and re-
ceivers Of local land offices.
Mr.. McMillin (Tenn. j. however made a SIM
liar point OF order against this bill and it was
withdrawn.
THE OKLAHOMA BILL.
Mr.. Struble Uowa) was more fortunate as he
had secured the formal instruction of the COM
mittee on territories to request the
passage Of resolution making the
bill to provide temporary form
of government for the territory Of Oklahoma a
special order for consideration tomorrow not
to interfere with the worlds fair bills.
A second was ordered and Mr. Struble pro-
ceeded to explain the necessity for speedy ac-
tion upon the Oklahoma bill. He said
that the bill had passed the Senate
last week, but the House committee on terri
tories had this morning directed the substitu-
ton for it of the bill already favorably re-
ported by the committee to the House.
and law-abiding citizens in Oklahoma
who earnestly desired the establishment Of
some form of government for the country to
prevent the development of friction that
has already begun to manifest itself.
Mr. Springer Ill.) also urged prompt action
upon the bill.
Mr.. McMillin (Tenn.) said that as the matter
was said to be of the first Importance its con-
sideration should not be interrupted by the
worlds fair bills or anything else.
The resolution was then passed without OBJ
lection.
THE FOURTH OF JULY WAR CLAIMS PASSED.
Mr. Thomas (Wis.), for the committee on
war claims, called up bill for the allowance Of
certain claims reported by the accounting Off
GERS of the Treasury. 1T applies to the Fourth
of July claims.
AS 1t was explained that this was the small
est bill for the payment of these claims ever
presented it was passed without division.
THE WORLDS FAIR RESOLUTION.
When the worlds fair committee was called
Mr.. Gambler Mass. offered the following reso-
luton: Resolved, That Thursday and Friday,
February 20 and q, after the approval of the
journal. be set aside for general debate on bills
6S83 and 1884 (the worlds fair bils) and that
the vote be taken on Monday, February "a, In
the manner prescribed by the resolution SUBJ
mitted in the committees report, unless the
House shall have determined by a vote that
worlds fair shall not be held
Mr.. Mills (Tex.) demanded q second; tellers
were appointed and the result was announced
as-yeas, 1i4, nays, 8.
Mr. Kilgore made the point of no quorum.
MORE THAN A QUORUM.
The Speaker ran his eye rapidly over the
House and in few moments said:
There are 172 members present-more than
a quorum"
Mr.. McMillin CTenn.) Immediately proteste
that the rules prescribed tellers as a means of
ascertaining the presence or absence of a
quorum, and it was not proper for the chair to
count.
The Speaker inquired what rule required the
presence of tellers to determine the presence
of a quorum.
Mr.. McMillin quoted from the rules touching
motions to suspend the rules. which re-
quires that the motion shall be submitted to
the House to be seconded by the majority by
tellers if demanded.
The Speaker inquired if there was any other
suggestion the gentleman desired to make.
Mr.. McMillin replied that a majority by
tellers had not seconded the motion and that it
was not competent for the Speaker to make
quorum by his gavel or his pencil.
The Speaker responded that majority had
seconded the motlon-114 to sand debate on
the motion was now in order.
THE DEMOCRATS RESIST
But the democrats made an earnest resist
ance to proceeding further. Mr. McNIillin
contended that there was rule that permit
ted the Speaker to count a quorum except
during the progress of an aye and no call.
Mr.. Dockery (Mo.) said that the rule cited by
Mr.. McMillin did not seem to provide for
count by the Speaker at all, but only by tellers
The Speaker replied that the rule provided
for the count of those who voted. The vote
had resulted ia to8-that seemed to be a
majority.
MIR. McMillin insisted that the point was that
no quorum had voted