The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-15
Protest Against Repeating the Election
Laws and Opening the Way to
Fraud and Corruption.
ANGRY THREATS BY M'MILLIN
Warming by General GrOsvenOr in
Behalf Of the Minority.
The Amended Repeal Bill May Be Re-
jected by the House When 1t Comes
Back from the Senate.

WASHINGTON Sept. 14-Opsn war began
IN the House to-day. Partisan hcstiilties
were inauguratcd over the Thicker bill 90
repeal the existing federal election laws.
The echo OF the Chaplain's prayer had not
died away before there was lively rat
tling of muske:ry all along the line. The
Republicans of the committee on election
of President. Vice President and members
of Cons grtss had shown their hand at the
meeting of the committee in the morning
by forcing the Democrats to produce q
quorum 20 report the bill 10 the House.
The tactics of the Republican leaders in
the House we're not known until the House
met. 1t became apparent at the outset
then that they would fight the proposition
to repeal the existing election laws TO the
bitter end. Mr.. Burrows. of Michigan.
led in the filibusteripg movement. He de-
clared. in Justification of hls course. that
o measure so sweeping as the Tucker bill
driving the national government out of the
States and leaving no one on guard at the
polls to prevent fraud and corruption in
congressional and presidential elections.
sh0nld have 10 status in the House until
the Democrats produced their own'quorum.
Furthermore. the leaders declare that once
il gets in the arena of debate they will re-
eist its passage with every expedient
known to parliamentary laws. In the fili-
bueterlng fight to-day they demonstrated
their ability TO block matters and dead
lock the House until a quorum OF Demo.
cratic mem bers is produced. BY their sc-
tion and words to-day it is evident that
Il. 1T.
the present election laws will only be re-
pealed after a hard fought. exciting and
bitterly contested struggle. They won
the first blood to-day by forcing the pas
sage of q q resolution revokina all leaves
of absence and SUNNI oning absenteee by
telegraph to Washington. Some of the sd-
ministratiOn Democrats. led by General
1racey. of New York. knowing the w hite
House opposition 10 the present CONSIDER
alton of this bill or any other bill IN the
House. which may e0mplicate the fight in
the Senate for unconditional repeal. acted
with the Republicans to-day. This angered
the silver Democrats IN the House. espc-
cially the Southern men, " ho are particu-
larry interested In the passage OF the tucker
bill. bey ond meaaure. 1t was claimed to-
night that the President did not conn
telance this course on tho part OF some or
his recognized heutenants in the House.
If this is true they will probably be
promptly called off and their position in
the future, rejecting that OF the admins
tration. will show the change of sentiment
at the other end of the avenue.
BURROWS OPENS THE BATTLE.
The galleries of the House were crowded
to-day In anticipation of the preliminary
skirmlsh over this bill. General Burrows.
who assumed command of the Republican
minority. was standing in the center aisle
with his lance In rest. when the Speaker
dropped the gavel, and as soon as tho
Chsplain's prayer ended. be boldly issusd
his challenge for war to the knife. 1t was
concealed under very innocent looking
request Tor unanimous consent 10 dispense
with the calling on committees for reports,
but Mr.. Tucker. the author of the bill. and
other Democratic leaders who were keenly
alert. realized Immediately that the fight
was on.
II object" shouted Mr.. Tucker.
MIR. Burrows then blandly moved that
that the call be dispensed with. IL being
apparent that child's play was not in ntended.
MIR. Tucker called for the yeas and nays.
During the roll call the Republicans re-
meined in their seats impassivelv refusing
10 vote. IN order TO break quorum. Some
of the administration members followed in
their wake. and refused TO answer 10 their
names. The result Of the vote-yees. 4;
neys. 1C6-developed no quorum. and call
OF the House was ordered. This showed
221 mem 6ers present, bat the Democratic
managers, realizing that they must furnish
q quorum of their own proceeded un0er the
second call. with closed doors. TO listen TO
excuses. The screws were TO be put on.
The Democratic energies weTe TO be di-
rooted toward securing the passage of o
resolution revokIng ali leaves of atsenca,
except in case of sickness. and instrhctihg
the Sergeant-at-arms TO telegraph for alb
sentees Temporarily ex-Speaker Roed
foiled them by Offering motion TO adjourn.
When this failed. the previous question
was called on the resolution 70 revoke
leaves. This gave each eide fifteen minutes
for debate.
General Grosvenor, of Ohio. one OF the
old war school Republicans. controlled the
time and led the debate for the Repu bic
ans. When the President called Con gress
In extraordinary session In midsummer"
said he. TO apply toe remedy which the
financial interests of the country de-
mended. the Democratic leaders. recognlz.
Ing the diyIeioHs In their party. appealed
TO rs 30 stand Dy and sustain the admins
tration from overwhelming defeat. The
Republicans. almost 20 a man. recognizing
that the condition of the country de-
manded that pertissnship be laid aside
Notwithstanding the fact that the Presi-
dent In his message had denounced the
Republican party - resolved TO support
the administration and force into law over
the heads OF majority OF the Presidents
own party the measures which he de.
mnnded. Now we are suddenly informed
that the purpose OF the extra session is to
be thrown overheard and a measure de.
aligned TO affect party success. a measure
more partisan than any that has been
introduced IN twenty years. Ia TO be
forced upon ue At the other end OK the
Capitol the administration recognizes that
IL must have Republican votes. and you
bring forward TINS obnoxious measure.
desire 60 sound only q single note of waru-
ing. The bill TO re peal the sherman silver
law is not yet law. If it happens TO pass
the Senate. when it returns here with the
Wabash annex. we may gee re-enacted the
scenes OF the frat few weeks OF this session.
an the administration may not lie able TO
muster to its support the solid vote OF the
Republicans The conditions that made
the passage of the Wilson hill n necessity
are rapidly passing away There may be a
revulsion OF public feeling that will defeat
the administration. as it worid have been
defeated here q couple OF weeks ago had
it not been fox the patriotic action of the
Republican minority. lApplause on the
Republican eide.
M'MILLiN THREATENS.
Mr.. McMillic, flushed and excited, re,
piled to General Grosvenor. "You can ds
yaur worst" he shouted. angriiy pounding
his desk. This bill will be reported and
passed. if not Tomorrow then the nexu