The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-22
FINE FIGHTING ALL ALONG THE LINE.
The House Republicans Are Masters
of the Field.
Complete Victory Can Be Won by
Mr.. Morton.
Senator Blair Wakes the Senate Up
From Its sIumbcrs.
Especial to the Press. ]

Especial TO the PreSs.l
WASHINGTON. January 2i.-The situation
tonight is In the hands of the Vice Presi-
dent The Republicans of the House have
fought their way through Democratic OBJ
struction, taken the District bill from the
committee of the whole. ordered the previ-
ous question on 1t and begun the voting on
the amendments. Three or four more roll
calls will pass the bill But this progress,
which was made by means Of an order from
the committee on rules was won. step by
step, amid scenes of turmoil aud disorder.
The Speaker was assailed personally by the
Southern Democrats in terms almost as In
sulting as Mills's assault yesterday. but.
through 1t all. his frmness and serenity
were undisturbed. and the majority sus-
tanned him splendiely at every point. The
House Republicans mustered veIy nearly a
quorum today, and 1t Is expected that they
will have one tomorrow or next day. When
this quorum arrives, an order will probably
be adopted fixing specified times Tor cons1d-
ering all the appropriation bills now on the
calendar. and ordering the previous question
on them, This will prevent further filibus-
terlDg such as has been witnessed this week
and last.
Mr., Bland of Missouri tried today, by a
parliamentary dodge, to bring In the ques-
ttOu VI Sllftfs anu W utIdCu bu6 SllV6T h6-
publicans, but every one Of them headed by
Carter OF Montana, refused to desert their
patty and the Speaker. So much for the
House.
In the Senate the fight has been in favor
of the Democrats. Mr.. German of Mary
land, who Is leading the Democratic forces,
made another shrewd move, by which he
headed off the cl0ture rule. Under the ordi-
nary procedure of the Senate, discussion Of
the cloture bill wonld have been in order at
Ontn nj hftf hAd MI a6 fnr
extraordinary procedure. So, when the
journal was read, he raised question on its
approval, and proceeded to debate 1t. Other
Democrats followed, until 1t became appar-
ent that 1t was the intention to DEBATE the
approval Of the journal indefinitely. The
Democrats did not confine themselves to the
question. but talked upon the elections bill.
rhey have kept this up all day, and are con-
tinuing 1t tonight. the Republicans forcing
an all night session.
At 10 O'clock, Vest Of Missouri had the floor
having talked six hours. Behind him, ready to
continue were Kenna, Gray and Morgan SO
lected because they are men OF great physi-
cal endurance. Piles of papers and docu-
they expected to do. Under the rules of the
Senate this debate on the approval Of the
journal may be continued until the fourth Of
next Msrch
Therefore. the Vice President tonight Is
face to face with the ola problem. Shall he
mons at the time Of the Irish distractions.
Refuse to entertain more debate and put the
questions, and as Speaker Reed has done in
the case OF dilat0ry motions? The Evening
Star this evening outlines the situation
thus:
From indications furnished by his rscsnt
rulings, and by his refusal to recognize SEN
ators late yesterday. 1t Is believed there Is
no lack OF disposition on the part of Mr..
Morton TO follow the example Of Mr.. Reed
In 10 an Ia n rhs.Ah
he has the physical vigor and the parliament
tary knowledge to carry 1t out as Mr.. Reed
did"
It is certain that Mr.. Morton has been pom
dering the question long and carefully, and
with study OF other parliamentary bodies
where the vividness Of obstruction has forced
the alternative OF ruling by the presiding
officer or legislative paralysis. 1t Is gener-
ally believed that after the policy OF obstrue-
ti9n has developed little further he will
Is quite strain upon the Republicans who
have to keep their men here, while the
relays Of sDem0crats talk. Senator after
Senator slips away until 1t Is found that
there is no quorum, Then the sergeant at
arms is sent out to find and arrest the absen-
tees. No Senator is so venerable or famous
ttat the sergeant-at-arms will not drag him
out of bed and take him to the Caption. But
so far tonight the old Senators are doing as
well as the younger, and Senator Morrill, OF
aged 73, are around the chamber as lively as
boys.
, The President today signed the bill appro-
priating $4,000 for public building at Lew
iston.
About 10 20 Senator Bl air of New Hamp-
shire. was called to the chair, and he showed
a disposition to rule so as to stop the minor
forms of filibustering, but the Republicans
did not have quorum Of their own men and
the Democrats by slipping out of the hall
managed to break the quorum as voted to
sustain Senator Blair's rulings. The ser
geant alarms in his hunt for Senators raid
ed the Charity Ball, a great social event
which is going on this evening, and captured
several Senators, who were brought into the
chamber 10 their dress suits.