The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-21
PANDEM M0NIUm.
Mills Disgraees Himself and the
House.
Breckenridge Pulls Him Down into a
Seat.
And the Sergeant-at-Arms Bran.
disehes His Mace.
The Closure Rule Is now Pending in
the Senate.
Especial to the Press.

Especial TO the Press.
WASHINGTON. January 20--The flibuster-
ing in the House today has gone to lengths
rarely IL ever seen before. Every day that the
Senate hesitates to act on the elections bill Is
marked by more outrageous performances
upon the part Of the House Democrats.
This afternoon Mills Of Texas fairly outdid
every other blackguard in the nation. The
question arose over the approval of the jour-
nal and was mainly participated In by Mills.
who completely lost his temper. The Demo-
Gratis had demanded full reading of the
journal and the monotonous sound of the
clerk reading long repititions OF roll calls
did not cease until after one O'Clock. Then
the excitement commenced. Mckinley de-
mauded the previous question on the appro-
val of the Journal. Mills and half the DEM
ocratic side we're on their feet in an instant
protesting. Mr.. Mills could be heard above
the din shouting that Mckinley had never
demanded the previous question and that 1t
was piece of sharp practice on the part of
the Speaker. Calmly and without trem0r
In his voice Mr.. Reed declared that the ayes
had 1t, and the previous question was order
ed. Yells for the ayes and nays came with
terrific force from the Democratic side. The
Speaker calmly remarked that the ayes and
nays were ordered and the clerk commenced
calling the roll. This is usually the sgnal
for quieting of disturbances; but not so to-
head and standing in the aisle he alternately
shook his fist at the Speaker and at the Re-
publican side of the House while he poured
out abuse upon the Speaker. The Republi-
cans gradually massed in the centre aud side
aisles. The Speakers gavel kept up con-
tinual pounding while the members increas-
ed the din by cheers, Kisses and pounding on
desks.
Mr.. Mills could be seen gesticulatlng vic
lently but what he said could not be deter
mined. Some one on the Republican side
was heard to yell "Sit down you traitor"
This seemed to arouse Mills ire still higher
and increased confusion while the Texan hv-
i'd with rage. was storming in the aisle and
defying the Republicans. The Speaker or
dered the sergeant-at-arms to preserve order.
AT about the same time Breckinridge of Ar
kansas, who is one Of those who Is support
ing Mills for Speaker, seized his crazy asso-
ciate and pulled him into seat. Order ras
then restored and the House went into COM
Columbia appropriation bill, upon which no
progress was made.
La the Senate Mr.. Aldrich brought up the
closure rule, but by shrewd move the
Democrats prevented its consideration today
and the Senate made no progress. The sit
uation there still remains doubtful.
In the House the Republicans have decid-
ed that the diSgraceful performances over
the appropriation bills have gone about far
enough. Expecting that the elections bill
might come over in which case Republican
quorum would be necessary to pass 1t, should
the Democrats run out of the hall the Re-
publican leaders have hesitated to bring in
all their men until the time should come.
But the proceedings of the last two days
have shown that it is time to act II business
is not to be stopped entirely. Every appro-
priation bill must be considered in commit
tee of the whole where flibustering can be
carried on eternally. There is but one par
liamentary method Of stopping 1t, and that
is for the committee on rules TO bring In an
order taking the bill out of the committee OF
the whole and fixing time for vote.
Such an order will stop flibusteTing at
to adopt it, since the Democrats would prob
ably leave the hall. The Republicans now
lack eight men of the 167 necessary for
quorum. Telegrams have been sent, and it
Is thought that quorum can be obtained
within 4S hours. Then orders from the COM
mittee ON rules will probably be adopted,
and the appropriation bills will be put
through. 1n former Congresses about day
ha, been devoted to bill like the District of
Columbia bill, which has now been seven
days before the House, and Is not half tin-
ished. With Republican quorum Of repre-
elections bill speepily if the Senate will get
the bill over in a reasonable time. But the
Senate has not inspired much confidence in
its ability to act.