The record-union., 1891-01-24
CONGRESSIONAL.
THE SENATE OCCUPIED BY THE
CLOTURE RESOLUTION.
The House Meets, But Fails, to Trans
act any Business
of Note.
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-NVhen the SEN
ate after recess met at II o'clock this
morning it found itself without quo
rum, and is now quietly awaiting the
appearance of one.
This session was in continuation of that
of yesterday.
At lilo quorum appeared and bust
ness was proceeded with.
Cockrell thereupon resumed the floor
in order to continue his argument
against the cloture resolution.
He yielded, however, to Hoar, who
added few words to what he said last
evening.
When Hoar had finished Cockrell again
took the floor and resumed his argument,
saying, in the course of his remarks, that
the Democratic Senators would be as brief
as possible in discussing matters of pub
lie necessity, but if the Republican Sem
ators insisted on the elections bill,
merely partisan measure, not indorsed by
half of their own party, ths Democratic
Senators would discuss it in all its ramifi-
cations.
Teller asked Aldrich how long he
allowed for debate on the resolution, re-
marking that 1t was rumored that some
arbitrary means were to be resorted to to
force decision.
Aldrich said he took it for granted that
there would be no closing Of the debate
except by action of the Senate itself, and
asked unanimous consent that vote be
taken on the resolution and amendments
at 5 O'Clock tomorrow.
German was delighted that the Senator
resorted to that proper and orderly
nf fhnr fl,or
dat of the presiding officer, whose repu-
tatlon for intelligence and fairness as
presiding officer has yet to be made.
Cockrell then closed his argument. 1t
was useless, he said, to try to disguise the
purpose of the rule. The only object was
to pass the force bill. Everything else
was made subordinate to the whims of
the Senator from Massachusetts, and
apostrophizing Mr.. Hoar, Cockrell ex-
claimed: Shame upon you, my friend
from Massachusetts,, who now attempts
to force upon the people of Massachusetts,
and of the country, a humiliating con-
fesslon that they are no longer capable of
holding their own elections" He read
from st. Louis paper letter addressed
to Edmunds by former Republican con-
stituent, now living in Texas, protesting
against the elections bill.
EdmundS said he never received such
letter, and believed it a fabrication to pro-
mote the operations of resistance to the
elections bill.
Gray spoke in opposition to the pro-
posed rule and against the elections bill.
He mentioned number of Republican
newspapers which were opposed to the
bill, and said he believed public opinion
in the West, without regard to party, was
against it. He mentioned as some of the
Western Republican papers that opposed
the election bill the Omaha Bee, Minnie
apolis journal, st. Paul Pioneer Press, st.
Louis Gtobe-Democrat and Denver Re
publican.
Stewart then took the floor, and re-
cess was taken until tomorrow.
IN THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23-In the House
Breckenridge of Arkansas caused the
usual delay this morning in the approval
of the journal, but it was finally accom-
plished.
Cooper of Indiana, rising to question
of privilege, had read resolution offered
by him on September 4th last, making
certain charges against the Commissioner
of Pensions, and asking for broadening
of the investigation. The resolution had
been referred to the select committee ex-
amlnlng the previous charges, and on the
llth OF September Chairman Morrill, had
been directed to report the resolution, but
had never done so. Cooper therefore
oheiet d iesoiudoH ulrecllng the commit
tee to report.
Quite a lengthy debate took place on
points of order, ETC.. in the course of
which Morrill, said the committee had
unanimously decided that the resolution
had been improperly referred to it, and
within one hour the resolution was re-
turned to the Speakers desk.
Grosvenor of Ohio and Henderson,
Smith and Cannon of Illinois spoke
briefly, defending the Commissioner of
Pensions.
The matter was finally settled amicably
by Morrill, obtaining the original resolu-
ton from the files of the House, reporting
1t from his committee and having it re-
ferred to the Committee on Rules.
The House then went into Committee
of the Whole on the naval appropriation
bill, but without making any progress
rose, and the House adjourned.