The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-01-29
rlFrYFIRsT CONGRESS.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.--The senate met al
II o'clock i'll continuation of yesterdays
session and the vice president Immediately
recognized Senator Cockrell to proceed with
his speech pending VIII CHI the point was
raised that there was no quorum present,
only thrty-eight senators responding, bat
at ll:l0 the requisite number to make a
quorum had appeared and business was
proceeded with. Senator Cockrell there
upon was about to continue his argument
against the clUture resolution when he
Yielded to Mr. Hoar, who favored the reso-
ton.
AT The c,ose of his speech Mr. Cockrell
again took the floor and resumed his argu-
ment against the cloture rule Cockrel
having again yielded the floor at he request
of Teller, the latter inquired OF Aldrch how
long tine he proposed to allow for
debate on the clotLre resolu-
ton, remarking it was rumored
that some arbitrary means in the shape OF u
coup a etat were ~ be resorted to To force Il
decision of the question. Aldrich took il
| for granted he said that there could be no
closing OF debate except bv action of the
senate itself, and he ked men beers pres
| that a vote should be taken on the resolu-
ton and amendment at o'clock tomor-
row.
Senator German objected and declared
| that the step taken by the senate yesterday
was one which had overturned the whole
| history of the senate, and that the decision
Cf The presiding officer and the vote of The
majority were in direct opposition to every
| rule Of the senate and of general parlia-
| mentary law He thought that asking for
| unanimous consent was proper and he
was delighted that the senator from
Rhode Island had resorted to that proper
al orderly method rather than Deepen
upon the ipse dixlt of the presiding office
whose reputation for intelligence and fair
ness as presiding officer was ct to be made
He predicted the time would come when
the precedent set IN the case of Andrew
Jackson would be followed in the senate
and when a deep black line would be
drawn around the journal of yesterdays
proceedings. After this episode Mr.. Cock
rell proceeded with his argument against
the proposed rule.
Senator Aldrich said he made
the suggestion in good faith and intended
to make every possible suggestion to get
early action on the pending resolution.
Senator Cockrel then closed his argl-
ment against the proposed rule. 1t was
| useless. he said, to try TO discuss its pur.
pose. Its only object was TO pass the force
had grappled the senator from Mas
sachusetts and had him in its
deadly embrace. pOstrODhiZing
Senator Cocl;Icl exclaimed, "Oh shame
upon you, my friend from Massachusetts,
who now attempts to force upon the people
of Massachusetts and of the country the
! humilia ing confession that they are no
longer capable of holding. their own cleo
TONS"
Senator Gray followed Senator Cockren
in opposition to the proposed rule and
against the elections bill.
Senator Stewart took the floor, but the
hour of six having arrived the senate took
a recess until tomorrow at IL o'clock.
l. HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-Mr. Breckenridge
of Arkansas caused the usual deay this
morn ng in approval of the journal, but
that was finally accomplished after it had
been read in full.
MIR. Cooper in rising toa question privi-
leve sent to the clerks desk and had
read the resolution offered by him
on Sept. 4, as making certain charges
against the commissioner OF pensions
and asking for u broader investigation O..
that official. his resolution had been re-
ferred to select committee examining pre-
vious charges, and on the llth of September
The chairman OF that committee, Morrill, OF
Kansas, had been directed to repor, the
resolution, but he had never performed that
duty.
lie (Mr. Cooper therefore offered a reso-
luton directing the investigating commit
tee to report the resolution and proceeded
to advocate il and to attack the admins.
uatlon of the pension bureau, and also
criticised the action of John Raum, son OF
the commissioner.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Kansas, said that he de-
sired only to repIylo the gentleman's re.
Election upon him as chairman of the in
vestigating committee. That committee
had unanimously decided that resolution
had been improperly referred to it and
within one hour he had returned the reso
LUTON to tie speakers desk
by page Six weeks ago the
gentleman from Indiana had asked him
what had been done with the resolution. He
had informed the gentleman and had not
given the subject a thought
Mr.. Cooper disclaimed any intention of
rejecting upon the gentleman from Kansas
but the resolution has never been put on
record.
After considerable debate the matter wa
settled amicably by Mr.. Morrill, obiainin
the original resolution from the file re-
ported from his committee and having it |
referred to the committee on rules.
The house ihen-yeas AS, nays 95-went
into committee of the whole on the naval
bill Without making ary
progress with the bill, the committee rose
and the house adjourned.