The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-09-28
FIFTY THIRD CONGRESS.
REED MEETS HIS MATCH IN A TILT
wITH SPEAKER CRISP.
Exciting Session Of the House Over the
Adoption Of Rule to Force Consid-
Grafton Of Federal Election Repeal
Bill-Democratic Victory.
HOUSE.

tne democrats IN the house today,
but the battle to secure a report on
the Tucker bill repeating the federal
election laws, begun five days ago, was
only won by the vigorous application
of the party lash supplemented by an
order from the committee on rules.
Even then it required six hours hard
fighting before the stubborn minori ty
could be defeated. Every expedient
skillful parliamentary manoeuveripg
could devise was resorted to by Ex-
speaker Reed, who stood in the breach
all dav, directing the movements of
the minority.
Mr.. Burrows moved to dispense with
the call of committees. Immediately
Mr.. Catchings from the committee on
rules presented a report which pro-
vided that no other business would be
in order until the reports of commit.
tees were received. Mr.. Burrows at.
tempted flank movement by
raislrg the point of order that
the report was not in order because
no proposition of that kind had ever
A parliamentary duel followed be
tween Mr.. Burrows, supported by Mr..
Reed and the speaker and the subtitle
Blade of Michigan went down before
broadsword of the Georgia speaker
who overruled the point of order.
Mr.. Burrows appealed against the de-
cision of the chair and Mr.. Fitch
moved to lay the motion of appeal on
the table. Mr.. Burrows sought to in
crease the parliamentary tangle by
moving, pending Mr.. Fitch's motion,
that the house take recess for one
hour.
Mr.. Catchings raised the point of
order that pending action on a report
from the committee on rules the mo-
ton was not in order. Mr.. Burrows
was allowed to make an argument
against the point raised by Mr.. Catch
ipgs, during which the speaker in
structed the clerk to read the order.
II object" shouted MIR. Reed, stand
ing in the aisle, his big frame shaking
like an enraged lion. The speaker
ordered the clerk to proceed. The
excitement grew intense. Moth
ing can be gained by
ordering the clerk to read the report
when he has no right to do it," yelled
Mr.. Reed defantly. lie then pro-
ceeded impasssionately to inveigh
against the action of the speaker.
1.-THE speaker has decided the report
by the ruling" he said, raising his
voice impressively, (which is the
most surprising ever made in legisla.
tive history" Democratic jeers.
"Oh, you have got to force your &C
ton, he continued, turning tiercely on
the Democratic majority.
1--WE are ready coarse voices
shouted back.
1.-The speaker has decided contrary
to the decisions of all other speakers,
Mr.. Reed went on.
(Which speaker?" inquired Mr..
Fitch.
HE has decided" continued MIR.
Reed, not deigning to reply" that a
committee of the house can originate
legislation" After some further stric-
lures on the chair he concluded IF
Herod is to be out Heroded, Herod in.
tends to witness the transaction. "
This half sarcastic, half humorous re-
ference to the struggles against his
own rulings elected a burst OF ap-
plause from both sides of the house.
The speaker then went carefully
over the parliamentary statutes. con.
Guiding by sustaining the point. OF
order made by Mr.. Catchings against
Mr.. Burrows motion to take q recess.
Mr.. Payne attempted to appeal from
the decision. "Two appeals can not
he in order" shouted the speaker.
Ry a vote of 172 to Sc the house sus-
tanned the decision OF the chair on MI
Burrows point OF order. 1900,
Mr.. Hepburn, ia J, moved a recess
for two hours. This led to triangular
wrange over the parliamentary statu,
ties between Hepburn, OuthWalte anu
Reed. The speaker finally ruled Hep
burns motion out OF order.
Mr.. Hepburn appealed from the de-
cision. On vote the Republicans, IN
obedience to nod from Mr.. Reed, re-
fused to answer to their names. me
decision of the chair was sustained,
IN to2. The question then required
on ordering the previous question on
the report from the committee on
rules, Motions came thick and fast
All were brushed aside by the speaker.
Mr. Payne IN. Y raised a question
for consideration against the. report;
Mr.. Catchings made the point that
MIR. Payne appealed from the decl-
sion. THE vote just taken, an
nonnced the chair, Sustained the de-
cision of the chair, which held to be ID
order nothing except motion TO az
iourn. The chair therefore refuses 10
enter snter ain the appeal, and further an an,
nonnces that no further motions. VIII
be entertained until the report Oh Tile
o oo is acted upon" ,
The whole Democratic side 1roke
;,+ hn0 Wild cheers. Although realizing
that that they were baf1ied the a Eepuoll'
cans persisted in a stubborn nSnU ooort
Mr. Burrows moved to lay the reR %ho
Of the committee on the table: Inc Inc
sneaker ruled the motion out OF DC craT 81,
end also declined to entertain t9e aP
r Some confusion followed. q
9 9e1an members were on their feet ano
u tpa sneaker, who was in hot alterca-
ZION tnW With Mr. Payne, brought cow "
tha gayel and ordered all members ~ ~
tnsa their seats. Every man instantly u
I Ianto 5n himself except ex.Speaker Keeu u.
S who doomed up defantly in the iliu'