The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-26
uouan of Renresentatlves.

When the House met TINS morning tho
pending motion was that maze Dy Mr.. Reed.
of Maine. on Saturday. 20 table the resolution
TO expunge certain portions of Mr. Walkers
speech from the Congressional Record. The
vote was yeas. 18s: nays. 70 the Republicans
refusing 10 vote. thus leaving the House
without quorum. A call of the House was
ordered and disclosed zl5 members present.
but this was not announced.
Mr.. Richardson. Of Tennessee, then offered
a resolution that the Sergeant-at-Arins should
report the members absent without leave.
Mr. TouteIle thought that call of the
House was not III oruer When there was a
quorum present.
The Speake- replied that if the House was
IN condition 20 order call. the majority OF
those presert might order a call. not until a
quorum was present, but until all tho men,
bers were secured. Having once ordered a
call. the House should not discontinue pro-
ceedugs.
Mr. Richardson then moved that further
proceedings under the call be dispensed with.
Agreed 20.
The motion of Mr.. Reed, Of Maine. to lay
the matter on the table was then in order.
and resulted: Yeas, l5j, nays, .. No quorum
voting.
Mr. Boutelle offered resolution to recon-
mt the report 10 the Committee on Rules
with instructions TO take into consideration
House As soon as may he expedient such mea-
sures, If any, az 10 what may be deemed expo-
dent for the reform Of any existing abuses IN
regard TO matter printed in the kecord and
for the preservation of the highest attalnable
degree of decorum in debate. A yea and nay
vote resulted: eas. 2s NAYS 1j2.
Mr.. Bouteiie moved that the House ad-
IOurn. Ayes 1913: nays. %. No quorum.
Mr. Boutelle demanded tellers. but this was
refused. He then demanded the yeas and
nays. This vote resulted: yeas. l0 nays, l63,
and the House refused TO adjourn.
Mr.. Townsend. of Colorado. then moved n
recess until D o'clock. A standing vote re-
suited: Yeas. 81 nays, i0i No quorum. The
yeas and nays being ordered, this voted re-
suited. cas-, li6; nays. o.
Mr. Richardson. of Tennessee, moved q call
of the House.
Mr. Boutelle, Of Maine made the point that
this was not in order. because. after the pre-
vious question had been ordered, a call of tho
House was not in order until the Speaker had
determined. by actual count. whether or not
q quorum was present.
The Speaker said that he took the count as
returned by the tally clerk.
Mr. Reed questioned this count. and said
the Speaker should count the members pres
ent.
The Speaker replied that there were many
matters in connection with the routine Of the
proceedings which were performed by the
clerk. and instanced the calling Of the COM
mittees for reports.
Mr. Reed. Then the Speaker declines to
count quorum OF ascertain the presence OF
members
The Speaker replied: The Chair takes the
count of the tally clerk.
Br Reed submitted that the rules provided
the Speaker should ascertain by actual count
whether or not a quorum was present, and 1t
seemed 10 him that the Speaker exhibited
"
improper.
This led the Speaker to retort that the gen.
tleman from Maine seemed to be quite per
sistent, and there should be no exhibition OF
scOlding on his part.
Mr. Reed said / ask the Chair, under the
rules. TO count the House.
The Speaker stated again that he adopted
the count as returned by the clerk. He would
be strictly impartial and would 90 justice
even to the gentleman from Name.
The Chair felt assured that every member
OF Congress would do his duty. The rule re-
Quired members to vote and the Chair would
not assume that gentlemen present would not
vote There might be some difference Of
opinion as TO the question of methods Of de
termining a question, but the method OF
taking the clerks count seemed to the Chair
TO be as fair as any other.
Further collOquy then ceased and the Chair
overruled the point Of order made by Mr..
BOutelle. and the call of the House was pro-
ceeded with. which showed 223 members
present.
Mr. Richardson moved to dispense with
further proceedings under the call
The vote then required on the resolution Of
Mr. Townsend of Colorado. to take recess
until 5 O'clock. This resulted: Yeas, l; nays,
123.
1t being impossible to make any headway,
the Republicans refusing to vote and the
Democrats not mastering a quorum. Mr..
Richardson moved to adjourn until to-mor-
row, which was carried.