St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-04-06
FILIBUSTERS TRIUMPH
The House Completely Stalled
by Two Republican Con-
gressmen.
Proposed Limitation Of De-
bate on Springer's Bill
the Cause.
Without Cloture There Is Ap-
parently No Limitation to
Fiibustering.
Senator Palmer Surprised by
Some Information on In
dian Citizens.

WASHINGTON, April 5.-The Repub-
licans of the house of representatives
for the first time this season resorted to
filibustering. and the enormous Demo-
cratic majority of two-thirds found 1t
impossible to overcome the Skillful tao
| tics of REPRESENTATIVES Burrows and
Payne and force the free wool bill to
| vote. For some days it has been
rumored that the Democratic leaders
would endeavor to pass the Springer
bill before the close of this legislative
day in order that it might have a polit-
ical effect in aiding the Democrats to
carry the state of Rhode Island. What
ever intentions there may have been
some days ago of rushing the bill
through the house. there is no doubt
the plan was finally abandoned before
the departure of Chairman Springer
yesterday for Virginia Beach.
1t had been generally understood by
members that it had been agreed by the
committee on ways and measurements
and Republicans alike)that Immediately
| after the house went into committe Of
the whole vote should be taken with
out debate on Mr.. Burrows amendment,
which was pending to strike the word
wool" from the first section. The eff
feet of this amendment is, of course, TO
strike out the
Essence of the Bill.
But today when Mr.. McMillin moved
that the debate On the first section be
limited to one hour the Republicans
rose in revolt and demanded that two
hours be accorded. Pending a decis-
ion of the question, Speaker Crisp spoke
sharply to Mr.. Burrows in a manner
which that gentlemen resented and
which mpelled the Republicans to resort
to fiiibustering methods to accomplish
their ends. Under the rules the Demo-
Gratis were powerless and the house
finally adjourned with the day wasted.
There is 10 intention on the part of the
committee on rules to bring in cloture
rule, and the fight will continue tomOr-
row with both sides ranged as they were
when the flag Of truce was raised this
evening.
When the house had resolved itself
into committee of the whole Mr.. Nc
Millin offered motion limiting the de-
bate to one hour. Mr.. Burrows was i'm
medately on his feet. to make an amend
ment, but the speaker recognized MIR.
McMillin to demand the previous ques
ton. Then Mr.. Burrows moved recess
until o'clock, which was supplemented
by Mr.. Payne, of New York, with an
amendment for recess until 5 O'Clock.
Thus the regime of filibustering was
inaugurated. The Republicans re-
Trained from voting, both Oh division
and by tellers, thereby breaking quo
rum and compelling the Democrats to
order the yeas and nays. Mr.. Payne'S
amendment was rejected, yeas IL, nays
1873. But
Payne Was Not Idle
and interjected another amendment for
a recess until 4:3O. Mr.. Burrows was
doubtful whether this recess would
prove to be long enough, and moved an
other amendment extending the time
until $50. The tellers on the latter mo-
ton reported that there were two gen
tlemen who we're in favor of the hour of
$50, while there were 125 who opposed
it. But as this did not constitute quo
rum and as Mr.. Burrows appeared I'M
willing that his amendment should not
draw a full vote, he made his point, and
the yeas and nays were called. But the
yeas and nays did not disclose a quo
rum, the vote standing-yeas 2, nays 1862.
Mr.. Miller, of Wisconsin. rose to
move call of the house. but lie was
waived down by Messrs. Burrows and
Dingley, and the duty of making this
motion devolyed upon Mr.. McMillin.
| The call was ordered and showed that
| there were $50 members in attendance;
| and further proceedings under the call
having been dispensed with, the vote re-
Cured on Mr.. Burrows amendment for
a recess until $50. 1t was defeated
yeas 0, nays 17S, and the speaker
stated that the vote would be taken on
Mr.. Payne's amendment for recess I'M
| til 4:3O, which was defeated; yeas 0,
| nays les. A further amendment was
offered by Mr.. Burrows that the recess
| be until 6 o'clock. Mr.. Payne moved to
extend it until O'clock, and one-ffth of
| il quorum again set the merry-go-round
at work upon its circular journey.
Mr.. Payne's amendment was rejected
yeas 4, nays 172; and then Mr.. Nc
| Millin, recognizing that further persist
ence was useless, moved an adjourn
ment, which was carried.
Burrows Reasons.
In explanation of his position Mr..
Burrows this evening said: when
motion is made to limit debate, it has
been the invariable practice to allow
parties representing the two sides. if
possible, to come to some understanding
in the house as to time without having
a vote. With that view, and for no
other purpose, l sought to obtain an I'M
Outstanding with Mr.. McMillin, who is
in charge of the bill, wherel. pom the
speaker of the house assumed to himself
| to say that debate was out of order.
OF course knew that debate was not
in order, but it is the first time in my
experience in the house that member
has been denied an opportunity to
bring about, if possible, an amicable
understanding. The course of the
speaker was entirely indefensible and
unbecoming the presiding officer of the
house."
Mr.. Pierce, of Tennessee, one of the
foremost advocates of the silver bill,
leaves Washington tonight for his home,
to be absent for about ten days. LII his
absence the silver men will not put into
execution their threat to filibuster
against everything but tariff measures.