Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-03-11
QUORUM COUNTING.
The Tariff Debate Side-Trackec
fer Awhile.
TURNER HAS A TUssLE WITH REED


During which the EN-Speaker Defends
and Advocates His MeII-F1nown Views
on Communicating at Washington
Over the Behring sea DifficuIty-A
Senator who Says We Own the Seals
and should Not Arbitrate the Case at
AIl-our Surplus Wheat and Corn
Official Notes.
WASHINGTON, March 11.-Dingley con-
tinued his speech in the house yesterday
on the tariff before a small audience, few
members being present and the populace
showing its WEAKNESS OF the subject by
the meagre attendance in the galleries.
That the tariff is one of the most import
mt subjects before congreSs-if not the
most important is generally acknOwl-
EDGED, but il has been argued so often
and the arguments are so familiar that it
is difficult for any one to say anything
new. During Dingley's speech he was oc-
easionally interrupted by McMillin, who
asked him if he was in favor of free salt
for the balance of the country as well as
the fishermen of Maine.
An Old Democratic Doctrine.
Dingley replied that free salt for the
fisheries, 'as it was put by McNIillin or the
Importation of salt in bond for American
fishermen was first introduced by the De-
mOcracy. McNlillin retorted that he was glad
Dingley had fallen in love with Democ-
racy. Dingley continued, saying that
everything the laborer needed was cheaper
under the Mckinley law-his hat, his
coat, aud the lumber Of which his roof
was made. McMillin asked how about
tin roofs, and the Democrats laughed long
and loud. Dingley concluded by saying
that this country under the policy of pro-
lection was the largest agricultural, man
ufacturiug and mining country on the
face of the earth. What had been accom-
plished in the past should certainly not be
overthrowu.
The Debate switched on.
This practically concluded the tariff
talk for he Gay. Turner of Georgia took
the floor to sPeak on the subject but soon
dropped it and tackled Reed on the quo
rum counting business. He said that
Reeds decisions on counting quorums had
doomed him 20 eternal fame. 5 $ for the
decision of the supreme court, it had de-
cided that the house had right to enact
rules for its procedure, but it did not by
this legalize Reeds outrageous ruling
The present speaker Crisp was a bitter
antagonist Of Reeds rulings, and he
Crisp was now in Reeds place. zap
plause.
Reed Accepts the Challenge.
Reed replied to Turner's allusion to the
quorum decision of the supreme court He
was glad that the Democratic party had
put forth its strongest man. He had stated
the position with vigor and strength that
required no assistance from any other
source. His declaration was not whether
present quorum or an active quorum WAS
demanded by the courts of the United
States, but whether he Reed as an indi-
vidual and as a speaker had violated his
duty in counting members present who
were in the house. He was amused to
listen to such a statement, and said that
until the decision of the supreme court no
one on the other side ever dreamed that
was the issue. and never during the discus
sion Of the rules was any such admission
made that it was present and not an act
Ing quorum which the courts of the United
States demanded. The gentleman from
Georgia Crurner) had shown. the contrary
today.
A Difference to the Decision.
Turner replied that he had merely in
sisted that the decision made by the SUI
preme court clearly announced that the
speaker had Il right to count a quorum
after the house had made the rule allow
Ing him to do so. Reed said the supreme
court never announced any such thing.
This showed the accuracy with
which Turner treated this subject.
A short but good natured collOquy
ensued between Reed and Turner
Us to the latter's motives. The latter
said that Reed had occupied both sides of
this question and had been wrong both
times. lLaughter.l