The Portland daily press., 1893-12-20
SMOTHERED In THE HOUSE
MIR. Boutelle's Resolution Sent to
a Committee Room.
SENATE WILL HEAR OF HAWAII
AT TODAY'S SESSION.

Mr.. Hoar Will Then Open the Discussion
1t Is Reported that the President May
Back Down Altogether and Order
| Willis to Recognize the Provisional
Government Again-Another Stormy
Session in the House-Mrs BoutelIe's
Gallant Fight.
Washington, December 19-In the
| House today, Mr.. BoutelIe contended for
the privileged nature of his resolution
which he offered as an amendment to
the one presented by Mr.. Cochran. He
said the usage and rules of the House
provided for the immediate consideration
of such privileged questions. The resolu-
tion introduced byshim was on a ques-
tion of the very highest privilege that
could be submitted to the House. 1t
was not question of personal privilege;
it was question of the privileges of the
House of Representatives as a co-ordi-
nate branch of the government of the
United States. Mr.. Boutelle said: 81
hold that excepting alone resolution
for the impeachment of the President
OF higher privilege than the resolution
which l havespresented The documents
read at the desk yesterday, on their face
and without resorting to any strained
construction, show that there has been
precipltated with a friendly power a
situation i'll which today, under the in
structions now in possession of the Minis
ter of the United States to that country,
we may become complicated, or may
have already become complicated. That
minister may already zhave taken such
action as to make war with that
country. From all we know, the armed
forces Of the United States may be today
arrayed against friendly country, with
which the people of this country over
whelmingly sympathize While that
mans public instructions were tospresent
to the President of the provisional gov
ernment the assurances of the good will
and sympathy OF the people and govern
ment of the United States,@~ we find he
had secret instructions to report to the
Queen that the President of the United
States insists on recognizing the deposed
Queen"
Mr.. Goodnight, Dem, of Kentucky,
made point of order that the gentleman
was not confining himself to the privi-
legged question.
TGe Speaker sustained the point and
Mr.. Boutelle promised to keep within the
Mr.. Boutelle then continu ued his re-
marks, and said it was the duty of the
United States, at the earliest possible
moment, to disavow the situation in
which it was placed and which was cal
culated to bring it into disrepute and
contempt with other countries, and for
the House to fail to exercise it's preroga-
tive, to fail to insist upon its rights and
dignities as coordinate branch of the
government wouldsbring upon the legis-
lative department. of the United States
the contempt of our people.
II care not" said Mr.. Boutelle, from
whom the usurpation emanates. l care
not whether it was organized by rene
gade Republican OF Democratic usurp-
er," (applause on the Republican side).
The Speaker again called the attention
of Mr.. Boutelle to the necessity of keep
ing within the bounds of privileged
question, and Mr.. Boutelle again
promised that he would endeavor to be
circumspect. He then asked the Speaker
whether a resolution of impeachment
would be privileged question. The
Speaker said it would, and then con-
tinued: "The Chair is not entirely clear
on the subject, but will hold, with the
gentleman from Maine, as to the privi-
lege of his resolution and as suggested
by the gentleman from Kentucky, (Mr.
Goodnieht) will refer it to the commit
tee on foreign affairs"
Mr.. Boutelle replied, il tone of dis
appointment: II rose to a question of
highest privilege and the question is re-
ferred to committee. In the history of
this House, there are reported instances
wheressresolutions of this kind have been
acted upon by the House. Its reference
to the committee on foreign affairs will
result in its being smothered."
The Speaker" Although a question
may be privileged, yet if there is an
express rule of the House which declares
that it must be referred to one of The
committees, the Chair is of the opinion
that it must go to that committee"
Mr. Boutelle continued to contend for
the immediate consideration of his reso-
luton. He objected to it's committal on
the plea that its reference will destroy
the very object of the resolution"
The Speaker was obdurate, however,
and said: "The resolution of the gentle
man from Maine refers to our foreign
relations and there is rule that all
matters relating to our foreign affairs
must be referred to the committee of
foreign affairs"
Mr.. Boutelle quoted, as a precedent
for his resolution, resolution offered in
the Housessin 1862, asking the President
or information concerning the battle of
BalIs Bluff
The Speaker decided that this case
was not precedent and amidst cries of
Irregular order" Mr.. Boutelle appealed
from the decision of the Chair.
Mr.. MrCreary, Dem, of Kentucky,
moved to lay that motion on the table
and on this motion the Republicans
fought for every inch of ground, but by
vote of 1s0 to 49,, the appeal of Mr..
Boutelle from the decision of the
Chair was laid on the table.
When the Senate met today, Mr.. Hoar,
Rep, of Massachusetts,, stated that he
had intended to make some remarks on
the Presidents message III relation to
Hawaii; but he had been requested by
two Senators. Mr.. Berry of Arkansas and
Mr.. PETER of Kansas. who wised to speak
this morning. to withhold his remarks
for the present. In view of the fact that
after thesestwo speeches were made and an
executive session held it would be rather
late in the day, he gave notice that he
would not call up the motion as to the
Presidents message till tomorrow,
although of course, any other Senator
was at liberty to do SO.
What results may follow from the dis
cussion which Mr.. Hoar's speech tomor-
row is sure to precipitate cannot be fore
cast. Unless some unusual turn should
be given to the events before the Christ
mas recess, it is stated, in we'll informed
quarters that the President will nerhans