, 1890-02-20

er,, and argued against the speaker s
action.
MIR. Cannon declared that tho chair
had done his duty In counting tho mem
bers to determine the presence of n
quorum. lt was entirely dinorent
question from the vote by the tellsrs.
MIR. Carlisle maintained that the mo.
ment the tellers were ordered by tho
house 10 take their places the power OF
the chair TO count, except upon their re-
port, ceased lilo was not making this
argument because he WAS opposed to
secondiug the motion, but because ho
believed That this was the most import
ant construction of the rulings, and that
the house should not surrender itspowel
to the speaker.
MIR. Cannon asked under what rules
Mr.. Carlisle, whom speaker had ordered
tho rolls to be called to dissolve the
quorum without the instruction OF the
house.
MIR. Carlisle replied by citing the rup
requiring the presence oil quorum bo-
fore the house begins its daily business.
lie asserted that lac never had held that
he had the right to count quorum on
the floor.
Mr., Peters, Of Kansas said that tho
trouble was that this house had been
wrapped round aud rounI by cords OF
legal fiction, until 1t was as lIfeless as a
mummy.
The speaker said that In the house tho
questioned was settled, AMI that, II u
majority was present to do business,
their presence was all that was required
to make quorum. II they declined to
vote their inaction would not be in the
pathway of those who aid their duty, In
thlscase tine chair had re peatedly counted
the house during the vote ana after II
had closed, and, being satisfied that II
constitutional quorum was present 20 do
business, had announced, ayes ia, noes
3, and the motion had been seconded.
Mr.. Chandler then took the floor, and
announced his satisfaction at the con
clusion of the worlds fair committee =
work, and hoped that It's report would
be given immediate consideration.
Mr. Hit also urged speedy action.
The question WAS taken on the motion
To suspend the rules and make special
order for the bills, and Il resulted: Ayes
liS, noes ~.
MIR Bland demanded thc aoys and
noes, md they resulted ayes 2O9, noes
SO, and he special order was made.
On motion of MIR. Perkins the bill for
the relief OF the Sioux Indians ami the
Devils Lake agency, North Dakota. was
passed under u suspension OF the rules.
Mr.. Banks called up the bill to provide
for the appointment OF thirty additional
- hhN ~
flee.
A second was ordered and Mr.. Banks
said that the secretary of the interior
earnestly recommended the passage OF
the bill
Nlr. Washington, OF Tennessee, said
that the bill was u scheme to get thirty
republicans into office. without being
IN ude subject to the civil service.
Mr.. Cannon argued that this class of
employees was exceptional and that the
appointments should not be subject to
the civil service system.
Mr.. Springer was for the bill, because
II promised to facilitate the pension
cases. lie invited the repu blieans to
bring on their pension legislation and
let him vote on 1t.
Mr.. Blount defended the civil service
law, and MIR. Buyne, OF Pennsylvania,
hoped that no republican would try TO
evado it, He asked TO have an amend
ment inserted. providing that the exam
liners be appointed under the civil service
laws.
Messrs. Chendler, OF Indiana, Morey,
of Ohio and other republicans objected.
Tho ayes and noes were taken upon
the passage OF the bill, resulting; Ayes
100, noes i0-no quofum-so the house
adjourned, with the understanding that
the bill would bo taken up at the next
sngginn