The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-21


done so far was TO blot out or to erase the
reference OF the bill. How did that affect
tne Iacts There was record evidence that
the speaker had referred the bill TO the
COMMITTEES on coinage; that it had been de-
hvered by the journal clerk to the clerk Of
the coinage committee and that he had 10
In his possession. If the House wanted to
recall the bill from the coinage committee
u could do so by proceeding under the
rules.
Mr.. Crisp wanted to know where the
evidence was that the bill had been referred.
The House spoke only through its journal.
Mr.. Conger said that the gentlemen
could see the bill in the COMMITTEES room.
MIR. Crisp replied that that made no
difference in the legislative situation.
Mr. Conger, nevertheless, maintained
that the bill was still properly and actually
before his committee
MIR. Morrow of California said that the
action OF the House yesterday was exceed
ingly significant Of its disposition. The
fact was that there was no reference at all,
that the speaker had no authority to refer
the bill, and his action was not voidable.
but void. The fact was that the bill was on
the speakers table, The mere physical
fact that the gentleman from Iowa or his
clerk had actual possession of the bill made
no difference in its parliamentary position.
Mr.. Butterworth declared that there were
not twenty-five men under the dome of the
capitol who believed that the bill was in
correctly referred, upon their oath. IRE
publican applause.
LARCENY FROM THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Williams of Illinois said that yester-
day, while the motion to reconsider was
pending and the resolution had been
adopted, the chairman of the committee on
coinage had walked up to the speakers
desk. taken up the bill that he
(WilliamS had every reason to believe
was the silver bill, had handed it over
to the clerk Of the committee on COIN
age, who had refused to answer his (Mr.
WilliamsD question as to whether or not it
was the silver bill, aud had carried it away.
Why had this thing been donel 1t re-
quired an explanation, it looked like con-
spiracy to obtain physical possession of the
bill and deprive the House of an opportu-
nifty to pass upon it.
CoNGER's EXPLANATION,
Mr.. Conger said that the bill had
been delivered to his clerk be-
fore II o'clock yesterday morning and
had been receipted for. During the after
noon, upon request of the journal clerk, it
had been put in his possession for a short
time, in order to make some clerical
Endorsements; but he (Mr. Conger) had again
bdkou IL DUCK 10 Uu6 COIQmlUC66 CIerk.
Mr.. Bland modified the language of his
resolutionSo as to direct that the speaker,
under rule "A, lay matter on the table,
including the silver bill, before the House
for action.
THE sPEAKER's OFFER
The speaker said that perhaps he could
simplify the matter a little, and suggested
to Mr.. Bland that he understood his wish to
be simply to get at this matter when it
would naturally come up, supposing that it
was upon the speakers table mot
passing upon the matters at this time).
What the chair proposed to do was
that when the bill or its hiatus, whatever it
might be, was reached, it should be brought
before the House But the gentleman did
not seem to consider that this was Friday,
private bill day, and that private bills alone
were in order.
Mr.. Bland asked whether the bill would
be laid before the House tomorrow morn
ing.
The speaker declined to decide that ques-
ton until the proper time.
Mr.. McComas demanded the regular
order.
The speaker said that the regular order
was private bill, which he passed to the
reading clerk.
SPRINGER DEMANDS AN ANSWER.
Mr. Springer wished to know when the
chair might be expected to decide where the
bill was.
The Speaker-Whenever the bill would
be in order. providing that the views of the
other side were correct about which the
chair presents no opinion) because he does
not think 1t is the proper time.
AS Messrs. Bland and Springer insisted on
specific ruling, the speaker finally ruled
that Mr.. Bland's resolution 20 proceed to
consideration Of the silver bill was not in
order under the rules.
Mr.. Bland appealed from the decision.
Mr.. KcKinley moved to lay the appeal
on the table.
The yeas and nays were ordered, pending
which Mr.. Crisp moved that the House ad-
journ. This motion was defeated, but the
hour of 5 o'clock arrived, and the House.
under the rule, took a recess till s o'clock,
the evening session to be for pension busi-
ness.
The House met at s o'clock, but when
motion was made to go into committee of
the whole to consider private pension bills,
Mr.. Enloe Of Tennessee made the point of
no quorum, and the House adjourned i'm
mediately without transacting any business.
THE SITUATION UNCHANGED.
At the end Of the second days battle over
the silver bill the forces drew off, leaving
the situation of the bill itself, if that could
be defined, practically in the hands of the
clerk of the committee on coinage but
where it is from the parliamentary stand
point cannot be stated until the speaker.
lat the proper time" as he says, rules upon
the question Undoubtedly great major
ity Of the republicans take the ground that
it is still with the committee
on coinage. The free coinage men
intend to renew their attack tomorrow,
and to endeavor by voting down all privi-
legged motions, to get to the speakers table.
If they progress so far they will be in
position to know officially the speakers
belief as to the situation of the bill Mr..
Crisp's motion to adjourn to-day, pending
a decision Of the appeal from the speakers
ruling on MIR. Bland's resolution, was made
in difference to the feeling among number
of democrats that the silver bill would not
be in order on a private bill to-day. 1t
served to consume the time up to o'clock,
when the House, by standing
order, was obliged to take recess. Mean
while the whips are earnestly at work. 1t
appears that the test votes yesterday re-
yealed the fact that twenty-seven repup-
licans were absent and impaired as against
ten democrats in like position. The repub-
lican leaders started out to-day under the
impression that they had majority to re-
verse yesterdays action expunging refer
ence Of the silver bill from the journal, but
after the first two votes they were unde-
ceived, thrown upon the defensive and COM
PEELED to abandon that plan, owing to alb
senteeism.