Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-20
THE HOUSE.

Inere OLD not appear to be larger at
tendance In the House this morning when
1t met at noon than there had been for
some days past. The leaders Of the op-
posing forces were. however, on hand
bright and early.
Mr. Loud (Cal) asked unanimous consent
for the immediate consideration of a reso-
luton calling on the Secretary Of the Treas
ury for Information as to the number of
ounces Of silver bullion purchased under the
Sherman act during the months of July and
August; and. further. what the reason was
that the Sherman act was not executed
during those months.
MIR. Tucker (Na.) objected
The Speaker directed the clerk to call the
committees for reports.
Mr.. Burrows (Mich.) moved to dispense
with the call.
Pending this motion Mr. Catchings Miss
presented report from the committee on
rules.
Before it was reaa Mr.. Burrows made the
point OF order that the reports were not in
order. His point was that the committee
mad not the right to originate an order OF
business.
The Speaker overruled the point of order.
holding that on the question of determining
the order Of business the committee on
rules had right to act.
An Appeal From the Chair.
Mr.. Burrows appealed from the decision.
and Mr.. Fitch moved to lay the appeal on
the table.
Pending which Mr.. Burrows moved that
the House take a recess for one hour.
Mr.. Catchings made the point of order
that pending a report from the committee
on rules this motion was not In order
The Speaker said that he would hear the
gentleman from Michigan on the question.
Mr.. Burrows was surprised that he should
be asked even to speak on this question.
HIS motion was obviously in order. There
was no report from the committee on rules
before the House. The gentleman from
Mississippi had rendered a report and he
(Mr. Burrows) had objected to its recep-
tion and had raised point Of order against
It, 1t was idle to say that there was a re-
port before the House The report was not
in possession Of the House until 1t was read
to the House
The Report Read.
In order to obviate this objection the
Speaker directed the clerk to read the re-
port. Despite the angry protests Of Messrs
Reed and Burrows (Which the Speaker de-
clined to notice. the clerk read the resolu-
ton. 1t provides that Immediately after
the adoption Of this order the Speaker shall
call the committees for reports. and the re-
ports shall be referred to the appropriate
calendars and no motion shall be entertain
ed until this order is executed.
Mr.. Reeds Remarks
Mr. Reed said that 1t was q recognized
custom in this and all other parliamentary
bodies that whenever anybody had a right
to object the physical fact Of reading a
measure would not obviate that objection.
This was very simple and plain parliamen-
tary law. about which there could be no
question. The gentleman from Mississippi
had proposed to present a certain document
its reception the gentleman from Michigan
had made the point of order to the Speaker
that 1t was not receivable-without any ref
erence to the contents Of 1t. The question
before the House was whether the report
should be received The Speaker had recog-
nfzed that that was the question by his ruling
upon 1t. That was the question before the
House. That ruling was one of the most
surprising that had ever been made.
This sally coming from the source 1t did
amused the House and it was greeted with
prolonged laughter.
Continuing. Mr.. Reed addressing himself
to the democratic side) said that If the ma
jority of the House We're ready to do this
thing 1t must take the consequences. 1--WE
are ready" came in a chorus from the
democratic side
The Speaker had decided continued Mr.
Reed, contrary to all parliamentary rules,
and had decided that a committee had a
right to originate legislation. That was a
new departure The question was upon the
reception of the report Of the committee
on rules.
The Speaker was undertaking to have II
received prior to the action Of the House
permitting its reception. 1t made no differ.
ence whether the Speaker directed the clerk
to call the roll or not. The House had to
decide: and until the House decided the
resolution was not before the House. He
was aware that the majority could override
the plain principles Of parliamentary law;
but II 1t intended to do 50 he wanted tc
know 1t. If Herod was to be out-Heroded
Herod wanted to witness the transaction
cloud and continuous laughter and ap-
plause)
The Speakers Ruling.
The Speaker ruled that the report was be-
fore the House until otherwise determined
by the House, and. being before the House.
a motion for a recess was not in order
| (Applause.)
Mr.. Payne On. " appealed.
The Speaker-Two appeals cannot be pend
| Ing at the same time.
Mr.. Reed remarked. sarcastically, thai
| the rules gave the Speaker power to de-
cline to receive dilatory motions pending q
report from the committee on rules Die