The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-19
VIOLENCE In THE HOUSE.
DEMOCRATS KICK OPEN A DOOR
TO BREAK a QUORUM.

Flying Frame and Blood Drawn
The Tactics Prove Effective aud
the House Unable to do Business.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1S.-When the
democratic members began to decamp
from the House to-day to break the quorum
while the proceedings were pending to
secure vote upon the Langs gston-Venab,e
election contest, Mr. Burrows called the at
tention Of the speaker to the fact, and
asked if members present could not be
obliged to remain. The speaker replied
that the rules we're intended to secure this
end. He added that he did not see why
they were not observed. Accordingly the
assistant doorkeeper, Mr.. Houk, directed
all of the doors leading to the hall to be
looked.
KICKED OPEN BY KILGoRE.
Hardly had this been done before Mr.
kllgore of Texas presented himself at the
door at the speakers left and sought to go
out into the lobby. He found that the door
was locked aud the doorkeeper in charge
refused to unlock it. unlock that door r' de-
manded the stalwart Texan. The doorkeeper
moved not, whereupon Mr.. Kilgore gave
sudden apd vigorous kick, and the frall
balze structure flew open and Mr.. Kilgore
strobe out He was followed by Repre-
sentative Grain of Texas, Cummings of New
York and Coleman of Louisiana in about
the same fashion, who in turn forced the
lock open without opposition from the
doorkeeper.
HIT DrNGLEY ON THE NOSE.
At the moment Mr.. Kilgore drove the
door flying wide open, Mr.. Dingley of
Maine was approaching from the other side
The door struck him with full force in the
face, bruising his nose badly and drawing
blood. Mr.. Kilgore, of course, apologized.
Then he passed on.
Mr.. Coleman explains that he meant no
disrespect to the House or to Speaker Reed
in forcing an exit from the hall. He felt
compelled to leave, but upon his
first refusal by the doorkeeper he returned
to his desk. Later he saw that Mr. Grain
had no difficulty in getting out, and believ-
ing that he was being made victim of un
just treatment Mr.. Coleman made a second
application that the door be opened for him,
and, receiving a second refusal, forced it
open with his knee. AS soon as he had
transacted the business which called him
out, he returned and took his seat.
BITTER PILL FOR REED.
The fight to-day demonstrated the fact
that the democrats are now in control of
the legislation, and nothing they oppose
can pass the session. 1t was a bitter pill
for Speaker Reed that he swallowed to-day
when he was unable to count a quorum,
and had to have the House adjourn. He
couuseled tyrannical methods in caucus, but
his party would not uphold him, and all he
could do waste telegraph for the absentees,
but they will not return this late. He will,
however, make another effort to unseat Mr..
Venable tomorrow. Speaker Reed
thought this morning by lock-
| ing the doors that he could
keep the democrats in. However, when Mr..
| Kilgore of Texas burst one of them open
and allowed the democrats to file out and
leave the House without a Quorum
Speaker Reed was mad, but could do
nothing. Speaker Reed, not being able to
count quorum after the departure of the
democrats, gave up the fight and will
probably try some new scheme, but it will
not be barring the doors.
THE DAY IN THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Sept 1S-In the House
this morning, after prayer by the chaplain,
Mr.. O'Ferrall of Virginia suggested that d
quorum was lacking.
The speaker was unable to count a
quorum, and directed the doorkeeper to
notify the members in the lobby that their
attendance was desirable. There were only
fifteen democrats present. In the course of
half an hour the speaker announced that
| l6S members, more than a quorum, were
| present.
Mr.. O'Ferrall said that he did not ques-
| ton the statement of the speaker, but he
was sure that there were fifty members who
would swear that there were not 16S mem
| bers in the hall.
The speaker remarked that the gentlemen
would not swear, because there. was not an
| opportunity to do so under the rules Of the
| House. Laughter
The journal was read and question arose
upon its approval The vote stood 134
| yeas to no nays. This was not a quorum,
and call of the House was ordered.
| The call showed the presence of 17S mem
bers, and the speaker directed the clerk to
call the roll on the approval of the journal.
Mr.. Crisp of Georgia, rising to question
| of order, said that during the call Of the
| House but two motion were in order-to
| dispense with further proceedings under
| the call and to adjourn. Never before had
such suggestion been made as was now
| made by the speaker.
The Speaker-It is time that such sug-
| gestion should be made. [Laughter.l
Mr.. Crisp-The speaker is not the master
| Of the House; he Is the servant of the
| House.
The Speaker-The gentleman from Geor-
| gia need not recommence.
Mr.. Crisp-The gentleman from Georgia
| will always insist upon his rights, and see
| Mr.. Rowell-The remarks of the gentle
man from Georgia are out of order.
| Mr.. Crisp-Not more SO than the remarks
| of the chair.
The Speaker-The gentleman from Geor-
| gis will take his seat.
Mr.. Crisp-Of course he will. but he will
| always resent such remarks.
| Mr.. Haugen of Wisconsin moved to dis
pense with further proceedings under the
| call.
| THE DOORS CLOSED.
During the call of the roll the one door
! which has always been kept open to allow
| ingress and egress was latched, and two
| doorkeepers were stationed at it to prevent
members leaving the chamber The first
| gentleman to resent this enforced imprison-
ment was Mr.. Kilgore. who forced
back the slight fastening and stalked
| into the lobby. He was soon
! followed by Mr.. Grain of Texas, who fol-
| lowed the same method of procedure.
| Messrs. Cummings OF New York and Cole
| man of Louisiana approached the door to-
| gether, and upon being Informed that there
| was ''no thoroughfare" manifested such a
| disposition to break the door from its hinges
that one Of the doorkeepers prudently re-
moved the latch and permitted them to pass.
| After this the rule was somewhat relaxed.
Further proceedings under the call were
| dispensed with by vote of 135 yeas to 80
J nays.
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