Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-07-12
SPEAKER REED THE MAN
FOR THE OCCASION.
The Republican Majority Triumphant
Despite Democratic Filibustering.
A STEP IN THE DIRECTION OF A FREE
BALLOT AND FAIR COUNT.
STORMY SCENES IN THE HOUSE.

nlgnU Jne III rouse passed Une euerdl
Election hill by a vote of 1915 yeas to
149 nays. This result was reached
after a protracted session of eleven
hours, eight of which had been
spent in filibustering tactics by the
Democrats. That the fight against
the bill was futile from the start did
not seem TO discourage or dismay
Mr.. Springer and his colleagues.
Every motion allowable under the
rules to protract the inevitable re-
suit was made, until at last the
Speaker, to clinch his victory, absO-
lutely declined to entertain PROPOSE
tions to adjourn and to reconsider,
because their dilatory character
was plainly evident. The Democrats
might have secured a temporary de-
lay by demanding the reading of the
engrossed bill before the passage,
but by wise forethought the MAORI
ty anticipated the demand, and dur
ing the long hours of the fight they
had force of clerks at work, so
that when the reading of the bill
was finally requested, the engross-
ing of the measure had been COM
pleted, and the only stumbling
block in the way of the passage had
been removed. The pile of parch-
ment was greeted with Republican
applause when it appeared.
The session which was to bring TO
a close q memorable debate, was
opened with 800 of the $40 members
in their seats, while the galleries
were crowded The number of color
ed persons present was especially
noticeable. The amendment offered
by Mr.. Tucker of Virginia, requiring
the Judge of the circuit court, associ-
ated with the district Judge, to pass
upon applications for supervisors of
elections, was pending This amend
ment was rejected as soon as a vote
was taken upon it. OF greater mo-
ment was the amendment which Mr.
Rowell, of Illinois, offered, making it
the duty of circuit judges in each cir
cult, within one month after the pas
sage of this act, to open special
term of the circuit court, in their re-
spective circuits, and said Judges
shall appoint for each judicial dis
trict, persons of good character and
standing who shall be known as
United States Juror Commissioners.
~ cboh NC ]aAC 00by vi 6uCn
sioners, said the amendment, to or
ganize as board, and from time to
time make from the qualified voters
list of persons who, under the laws
of the United States and of the State
shall be eligible for jury duty, with
out respect to race or color. Hereaf-
ter all panels for jurors shall be
drawn by the board, in the presence
OF district or circuit Judge. After
some debate, the amendment, which
virtually replaced the section strick-
en- out on Monday, was agreed to ON
vote by tellers-146 to 143.
The vote by tellers having been
taken, half dozen Democrats arose
and demanded the yeas and NAYS.
Speaker Reed, with his face turned
towards the Democrats, and stand
ing with the gavel resting upon the
desk, simply ignored the demand
with the remark that it was too late
the result having been announced
Instantly the Democratic side was il
a turmoil. Messrs. Crisp, Springer
and other Democrats excitedlyq de
manded the roll-call as right. I'm
moved, the Speaker stood, saying
not word and evidently waiting
for the turmoil to close.
Mr.. Cultivate, raising his tai
form upon his tip-tOes, so that h,
seemed to be taller than ever, waives
his arms over the Democratic side
urging his colleagues to rise and b,
a solid show of half the membership
of the House, move the impertura
bic front of the Speaker. They com
piled, and at the same time Mr.. Nc
Kinley arose, and with his clea
voice broke the spell of silence whicl
had fallen upon the Republical
side.
Il suggest, he said, that the yea
and nays be taken"
The Speaker calmly observed tina
the yeas and nays might be called
there was unanimous consent. N
Republican objected, and momen
later the reading clerk began the me
nOtOnOus call of names.
The amendment having bee
adopted by a vote of 151 yeas t
LA nays, thus retrieving the tempo
rary victory of the Democrats O
the previous day. Mr.. Hemphill o
Tered an amendment which propose
to substitute existing law for
change aimed at in section of I'll
bill. Under the latter the supervi
ors are given authority to order I'll
land and naval forces of the Unite
States to the polls at time of ele
ton, an authority which hithert
had been reposed only in the Pres
dent. Mr.. Hemphill pointed out Il
danger of placing this power in IL
hands of men who might be seal
wags, and who were likely to be on
casts from the States, selected {,
their very recklessness and bruta
ty. Mr.. Blount of Georgia also pi
tured the polls surrol. nded by Uni
ed States soldiers in order that V
ters might be terrorized by milita
authority.
There was buzz of anticipate