The morning call., 1893-10-13
FIGHTING AGAINST TIME.
Silver Men Hold the Floor by Sheer
Force of Will.

Force of Will.
WASHINGTON, Oct 12.-All night long
Senator Allen of Nebraska held the floor,
interrupted by an occasional ill-tempered
colloquy or rollcall. which dragged the
sleeping Senators from the adjoining
cloakrooms. Gray dawn. at A. NJ.
found Allen still holding the fort in the
great struggle against unconditional re-
peal. as he had been doing since darkness
fell last night. He had broken all pre-
vious records. For twelve hours and a
half ne had held the floor continuously.
The longest time any Senator had previ-
ously occupied the floor was on the occa-
sion of the force bill fight in 1891. when
Faulkner remained on guard twelve hours.
Though Allen had a breathing spell dur
ing the absence of quorum. he seemed
almost as fresh as when he began. His
voice was still loud and strong, and the
great strain seemed not to have affected
his physical or mental vigor
An effort was made shortly after 6
o'clock by the anti-silver men to reach an
agreement with the silvertes for recess
until 10 O'Clock, but the latter declined the
offer.
powers of endurance amazed the auditors
Shortly after O'Clock Shoup made point
of no quorum. The rollcall developed the
presence of only forty members. three
short of quorum. These, however. were
soon supplied.
Wolcott made the point that forty-three
was not a quorum. as Idaho, Wyoming
and Washington were only partly repre-
sented, and forty-three would not be a
majority with their full represep tation.
The rule was then read to the effect that
majority of the Senators chosen and sworn
shall constitute quorum.
Manderson said the present rule was
adopted under stress of circumstances
in 1864, when eighteen Southern States
were unrepresented. but contended that
the necessity for it had passed.
Vice President Stevenson ruled that the
Senate as constituted was composed of
eighty-fve members and forty-three was a
quorum. Wolcott appealed from the de-
cision. Hale moved to lay the appeal on
the table. and the appeal was tabled-3S to
5. Allen, Henderson, Martin, PETER and
Morgan voting in the negative.
Then Allen, apparently as fresh as when
he began fourteen hours before, resumed
his address. 1t was far from an argument
upon the question at issue, but it filed in
the time. Allen concluded at :15 o'clock.
Martin of Kansas was to follow him, but
VOORHEES, suddenly interposed with mo-
tion to lay the PETER free-coinage amend
ment to the repeal bill on the table and
and the rollcall began thereon. The re-
suit showed two short of quorum, owing
to the announcement Of several pairs and
the refusal of some of the silver men
present to vote.
Villas made point Of order that when a
Senator is present he must vote unless ex-
cused.
The rollcall was ordered. showing forty
five Senators present. The poll was then
recalled on the motion to lay Peffer's
amendment on the table. Only forty-one
Senators voted.
Dubois being the first Senator on the
roll and present who refused to vote. the
chair called on him for an explanatio
Dubois said he considered the amendment
too important to be passed upon without
debate.
The vote on the motion to excuse Dubois
resulted-21 ayes, 90 noes.
Dubois name was again called. He still
failed to respond. Then followed dis
eussion whether Dubois could be COM
PEELED to vote, but the point was soon
dropped. Meantime other Senators came
in and at 9:15 the ballot was announced.
showing fifty Senators voting. The result
of the ballot was as follows:
Ayes-Caffery. Camden. Carey. Cullom.
Davis. Dickson. Dolph. Faulkner. Frye,
Gallinger. Gordon. Gray. Hale. Hawley.
Hill. Hoar. Lindsey. Mcmillan. McPher-
son, Mills. Mitchell Of Wisconsin. Murphy.
Platt. Proctor. Quay, Ransom. Sherman.
Smith, Squire, Voorhees,, Washburne.
White. Total 80.
Noes-Bate. Berry. Blackburn. Butler.
Call. Cameron. Core. Daniel, George.
Munton. Irby. Martin, Morgan. Pasc0,
PETER, Vest. Walthall. Total IT.
So the PETER amendment was laid on the
table. voorhees, said the PETER amend
ment to the v oorhees bill was the only one
pending except that offered by the Com
mi.tee on Finance, which is the Wilson or
House bill There were, however, other
amendments proposed by Senators. but not
yet offered. He said the Finance Commit
tees amendment was now before the SEN
ate. and asked that Martin of Kansas be
recognized to discuss the question. 1t was
9 o'clock when Martin began his plea for
the free coinage of silver. AT frequent IN
tervals he was interrupted by demands for
rollcalls, when it became evident that
quorum was not in the chamber.
During one of the intervals Stewart read
letter warning him to desist in "ob-
structing legislation" or he might be
blown up with dynamite. The reading
merely provoked a laugh.