The morning call., 1891-01-17
CONGRESS.
THE SENATE.
Debate on the Elections Bill-Public Building
Appropriations

Debate on the Elections Bill-Public Building
Appropriations
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-In the Senate
this morning supplemental petitions against
the passage of the Elections Bill were pre-
sented from the States of Arkansas. Cali
fornia, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Mis-
souri,, North Carolina, Virginia and West
Virginia. They include over 5000 sigma
lures.
Mitchell introduced n bill providing for
the temporary government of Alaska. Re-
ferred.
On motion of Dolph the Senate bill appro-
priating 81, 1873, 900 for the early completion
Of the improvement of the mouth of the Col
umbla River, Oregon, and $4,000 for the
early completion OF the canals and locks at
the Cascades of the Columbia River, were
taken from the calendar. Explanations and
remarks in favor of the Immediate passing
of the bill were made by Dolph, Mitchell,
German and Gibson.
Stanford, from the Committee on Build
lhgs and Grounds, reported favOrably the
Dlll TO increase the appropriation for the
purchase OF site for public building at
San francisco, and to commence the con-
struction thereof 1t increases the appro-
pratt n over the original bill S45OOOO max
ing the total amount 81, COO. This is
$50, 600 less than his last bill contem plated.
AT the close OF the morning hour the Vice
President laid before the Senate as un-
finished business the Elections Bill and
Paseo took the floor to make an argument
against it.
Pasco soon yielded to Hoar, who had read
an article from the Anglo-Saxon Church.
man OF Little Rock, speaking of election
methods, etc.
Jones of Arkansas stated that the writer
OF the article was not a Southern man. He
was truthful, well-meanng man, but had
not been on the ground long enough to
understand the matter, and therefore his
opinion was worth no more than that of the
Senator from Massachusetts.
Berry of Arkansas took part In the dis
cussion, speaking of Hoar as man who
had passed his life in stirring up strife
among his neighbOrs, the danger of which
he never shared himself.
After this diversion, which occupied about
an hour, Paseo concluded his speech giving
notice OF an amendment to punish bribery
by the payment of money or by promise Of
procuring employment to voters and to pun
lSh the use of pay envelopes intended to in-
tuence wOrkmen.
Pasco yielded to Hoar, who also gave
notice OF amendments. the effect being to
give to the Judge the only power to deter
mine whether, Federal supervision of an
election is NECESSARY and TO give to an ac-
counting officer of the Treasury the power
to audit accounts of Supervisors.
The Fortifications Bill was reported back
with amendments during the intermission.
Nolcott, who moved an adjournment
Frye demanded the ayes aud noes, which
resulted: Ayes q, noes 50; Stewart and
Wolcott being the only Republicans voting
aye.
Pasco then concluded his speech.
Hampton spoke against the bill and
Dixon in its favor.
Reagan spoke against the bill, and con-
cluded by declaring, with strong feeling,
that, dear as life was to him. he would "a
God was his judge. if be could save the
American people from the pending measure
by giving up his life, surrender it as freely
as he ever performed any act in his life.
AT the close of Reagan's speech a motion
was made by Hoar to lay Buffers amend
ment Chat the Supervisors, canvassers, and
all election officers, shall be regarded as
ministerial and not judicial officerS) on the
table, and it was agreed to-ayes 30,
noes 20.
An amendment offered by Faulkner, pro-
posing substitute for Section IA, and to
provide for the appointment by court of
board of three persons in a Congressional
district, 10 be known as a United States
Board of CanvasSers, was taken up.
Faulkner advocated the amendment and
condemned the action of the Republican
Senators in slitting discussion by moving TO
lay the amendment on the table
In the course of colloQuy between
Faulkner. Gray and Spooner, the latter
stated. as an illustration Of what the bill
meant. that if he had boil on the back of
MS neck he would not think 1t necessary to
place pOultlce over his whole back The
Illustration was taken advantage of by
Faulkner, who saw IN 1t an admission that
the bill was partisan and sectional meas
ure, 10 be put in force only in one part of
the country.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-At l o'clock this
morning Faulkner was still addressing the
Senate and appeared to be good for several
hours. and it is pretty evident the object on
the Democratic side is TO occupy the time.
There are not more than a dozen Senators
on each side of the chamber in their seats,
but there are large reserves in the cloak
ruomS ready TO meet any phase of the ques-
ton that may present itself. The galleries
are now nearly empty, but the prospect is
that the session will continue through the
watches of the night, aud perhaps all day.
Faulkner continued speaking until /: 20
O'Clock, when the absence of Quorum was
brought to the attention of the Chair by
Sanders. A call of the roll showed only So
Senators present. only five of that number
being Democrats.
motion was made by Hoar to compel the
attendance OF abSentees, but Harris made a
point oil order that the first motion under
the rules was to direct the Sergeant-at- Arms
to request the attendance of the absent Sen
ators.
The presiding officer CWashburn) sus-
tanned the point of order. and Hoar changed
his motion accordingly. The motion was
agreed to. and a list OF absentees furnished
TO the Sergeant-at-Arns, The only Demo-
crats present were: Cockrell, Faulkner,
German, Harris and Pasco. Before the list
had been handed to the Sergeant-at-Arms
five more Senators-all Republicans-had
answered, making the whole number pres
ent Al, or four less than quorum.
Up TO O'Clock no Senator presented him
sell IN compliance with the request, and it
looked as II a quorum might not be secured
a quorum was finally secured at $50
O'clock.
German moved that further proceedings
be dispensed with. Rejected.
When the Senate attempted to resume
business it was discovered that two or three
Senators had slipped out again and some
sent word that they were i'll and could not
come.
At 415 o'clock there was no quorum and
no signs OF adjournment.