Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-14
OPENING THE FIGHT.
Tactics Adopted to Keep Out the
Report on the Tucker Bill.
A REPUBLICAN FILIBUSTER
Mr.. Burrows Engineers the Move
ment on the Floor.
LONG CONTEST POSSIBLE.

The fight over the repeal Of the federal
election laws started today with a hlbus-
ter on the part of the republicans against
receiving reports from committees. A tre-
mendous effort to prevent action by the
committee having in charge the bill for the
repeal of the election laws having failed
the committee was ready to report this
morning. At the meeting Of the commit
tee the republicans refused to vote, their
hope being that they might break q quo
rum. The democrats, however. were pre-
pared for this, and quorum Of that party
was present. The committee Immediately
adopted the report on the Tucker bill, and
authorized Mr.. Tucker to present 1t to the
House this morning, and to ask the COM
mittee on rules to permit Tuesday to be set
for its consideration.
In the House this morning the fight
against the report coming in was taken up
by Mr.. Burrows, who moved to dispense
with the call of the committees for reports
and the republicans. refusing to VOTE broke
the quorum. which compelled the call Of the
House and started what may be a prolong-
ed flibuster. 1t Is the purpose Of the dem
ocrats, however, to have their men here.
II possible. SO as to have a quorum Of their
own and to go ahead with the considera-
ton OF the question on Tuesday, there be-
ing no session of the House on Monday on
account Of the Capitol centennial celebra-
tion. The party leaders in both houses are
united in the opinion that 1t Is desirable to
have the matter pressed.
The Proceedings In the House.
Messrs. Reed and Burrows were engaged
in earnest conversation this morning be-
fore the meeting OF the House, presumably
upon the course to be pursued by the re-
publicans should the federal elections re-
peal bill be reported. Then they joined Mr..
ok nd thnr o,,1t, ~
The attendance at the opening Of the House
was larger than 1t has been for some days.
Owing to a slight indisposition on the part
Of Mr.. Richardson Crenn.). the printing bill
then directed the clerk to call the commit
tees for reports, but before the clerk got
fairly started Mr.. Burrows was on his feet,
ana In his smooth, quiet tones. which he al
ways uses when he has any deep scheme on
his brain. suggested that as the call was a
long one and there would probably be no
reports presented" the call be dispensed
with. To this, however. Mr.. McRae ARK }
objected. and the clerk proceeded to call
the committees.
"One moment said Mr.. Burrows. It ask
unanimous consent that IL any member Of
a committee has a report to present he may
indicate Its character and present It,"
To this Mr.. Tucker Va.) objected. The
clerk again proceeded, but the lone mo-
ment" of Mr.. Burrows again Interrupted
him, while Mr.. Reed suggested that the clerk
Snouiu Hot race against the House. Then
Mr.. Burrows moved to dispense with the
call of committees and on the divtslou the
vote stood 1S to 60. Mr.. Burrows raised the
point of no quorum. and Mr.. Tucker de-
manded the yeas and nays.
The republicans. as a rule, refrained from
voting, and few democrats, notably Mr.
Tracy On. ", who believed that the mat
ter should be allowed to rest until the re-
turn of Chairman Fitch, found ii conven-
lent to retire to the cloak rooms before their
names were called.