The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-01-28
REEDS DESPOTIC RULE.
THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS STANDS
BY ITS CzAR.

An Attempt to be Made to Push
Through the Contssted Rlect.on
Cases Before the Rules are Re
ported - Attempts to Count Mem
bers Not Voting Not Apt to be Made.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.--The republican
caucus, which was called to meet at o'clock
tonight. met promptly at thae hour. Mr..
Henderson of Illinois, as chairman, called
the caucus, which was fully attended, to
order.
The first hour of the session was devoted
to discussion Of the proposed new code of
rules. Speaker Reed entered into a detailed
explanation of the changes proposed TO be
made ia the old code. From time to time
he was interrupted by questions as to the
probable effect of particular rules, to
which he fully replied. More than an hour
was consumed in this way, and the greatest
harmony characterized the proceedings.
1t was evident, however, according to
Mr.. Reeds statement, that the new code
could not be ready for the action of the
House for several days to come, even should
it be desirable to report it earlier. More
over, there was an opinion entertained by
many members to the effect that more posi-
tive progress could be achieved in the dispo-
sition Of the contested election cases with
out rules than with their aid.
FEAR TURNING OF THE TABLES.
1t was felt by some of these members that
after a safe working majority had been
secured under the operation of the general
parliamentary law, the rigidity Of the new
code might be relaxed with benefit, and the
republicans might thus be relieved from the
of nl0tfV do nr.vht tnI
might perhaps be felt by themselves in its
full severity. Having practically reached
a decision that election cases shall
be considered before the code of rules is
adopted, the question of ways and means
arose, and there was a long discussion,
which was simply a reflex Of individual
views as to the possibility of securing and
maintaining quorum of representatives to
meet the democratic opposition which 1t was
fully expected would take the shape of a
refusal to vote.
WHAT 1T INDICATES.
The fact that it was considered necessary
to discuss this phase of the case is regarded
as an indication that the speaker
partly. contemplates adopting the
radical course of counting
as present members not voting in order
to secure a quorum. The list of the repub-
lican members was carefully canvassed, and
members could not be relied upon to
answer to their names if the democrats
come to the conclusion to filibuster. Two
of these members are absent on account of
sickness, one on account of sickness
in his family and one is
absent without letting his whereabouts ba
known. According to this count, if every
thing favors a majority, if no member
falls i'll or is called away from the city they
will have a bare quorum But, neverthe-
less, the election case of Smith VS.. Jackson
will be called up Wednesday and fully de-
bated from double motive-first, to lay
the foundation for speedy disposition of the
other con est; and second, to gain time in
which to secure the attendance of absent
members.
AN EFFORT TO WHIP THEM IN.
A resolution was adopted by the caucus,
offered by Mr.. Rowell, chairman of the
elections committee, as follows
Resolved, That it is the sense OF this caucus
that every republican member of the HOUSE
should remain in the city, except in case of
sickness and that members should remain in
this hall during the time the House is In ses-
sion, unless prevented by sickness.
There was some show of opposition to the
proposed changes in the rules which tend
to stop filibustering by Mr.. Anderson of
Kansas and Mr.. Cheadle of Indiana Mr.
Cheadle, however, signifed his intention to
LalI III ILue WIN MS party, ana Ch6fe are
indications that Mr.. Anderson will do like
wise.
PLAIN WARNING.
Special to the Morning NelCS
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-The House re-
publicans told Speaker Reed very plainly
in to-nlghts caucus that they did not pro-
pose to proceed under general parlIamen-
tary law, but wanted rules and wanted
them right away. They were willing,
with very few exceptions (Mr. Anderson
of Kansas being the only man who spoke
out in opposition), to support the
speakers proposed amendments, but they
insisted that the report should be made
promptly. Mr.. Reed promised that it
should not be much longer delayed. 1t was
agreed that the Smith-Jackson West Vir-
ginia contest should be taken up Wednes-
day, rules or no rules, and every effort made
to get republican quorum present so as to
forestall possible democratic fiiibustering.
Mr. Kelley's death and Mr.. Wilber's illness
make this difficult. Mr. Reed may have
to attempt to forcibly quell filibustering.
The caucus sat down hard on Mr.. Carter
of Montana, who cast the only vote in favor
Of a resolution condemning the do0r-keeper
for not giving him his share of the patron