The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-21
Parliamentary Laws Trampled Upon to
Get the Election Laws Repeal Bill
Before the House.
MINORITY MEMBERS GAGGED
Rights of the Whole House Given
to the Committee on Rules.
No Appeals from Republicans Enter
tained-The Tucker Bill Finally
Placed on the Calendar.


crowned the Efforts of the Democrats IN
the House to-day. but the battle to secure
the report on the Tucker bill. repeating
the federal election laws. which began five
days ago. was only won by the vigorous
application of the party lash. supplemented
by On order from the committee on rules.
Even then it required six hours of hard
fighting before the stubborn minority
could be defeated. Every expedient that
skillful parliamentary maneuvering could
devise was resorted to by ex-Speaker Reed.
who stood in the breach ell day directing
the movements of the minority. The task
was hopeless. however, as long as the DEM
ocratio quorum, which appeared for the
first time to-day, held. Once only did the
quorum break down. But on the next roll
call il reappssred. and the ground that had
been lost was quickly regained. Gradual
~. by roll call after roll call. the minority
was hemmed in. The Speakers rulings en-
ragged the minority. and the excitement
rose to fever pitch. but there were no wild
scenes as characterized the FIfty-f first Con-
gress.
At one time during the fight Mr.. Reed
said: IF it is the purpose of the majority
TO have rule artificlally drawn; seized
upon By the Speaker and the House by
main streng gth in order TO rob the minority
of ITS rights. we want the country to under.
stand what has been done. If you want 70
push this through" he added. sneeringly,
I'VE shall see what We shall see."
At another time when the House was in
confusion. the Speaker brought down his
gavel and ordered all members to take
their seats. Every member instantly
seated himself. except ex-Speaker Reed,
who lOomed up defnantly in the midst Of
the minority. Gentlemen will resume
their seats" again shouted the Speaker.
Mr.. Reed was pale with rage. For q
moment he stood eyeing the Speaker az
though hesitating whether to obey the
order and then sank into his seat.
When at last the fiaht was over. the re-
port on the Tucker bill vas presented and
with it al application from the committee
reporting it, asking for a special order for
its consideration. The committee on rules
will probably report the order tomorrow
and the debate on the real merits of the
measure will proceed Immediately.
BURROWS OPENS TIE FIGHT.
The fight began when the Speaker de
reoted the Clerk to call the committee for
report. Mr.. Burrows moved TO dispense
with the call. Pending tins motion Mr..
Catchings presented report from the
committee on rules Before 1t was read
Mr.. Burrows made the point of order that
the re port was not in order. His point was
that the committee had not the right to
originate an order of business. The
Speaker oyerruled the point of order. hold
ing that on the questionable determining
N Al hnsfnGsa-rha I'm a a N
rules had right 10 act. Mr.. Burrows ap-
pealed from the decision ana Mr. Fitch
moved to lay the appeal on the table.
pending which MIR. Burrows moved that
the House take recess for one hour. Mr..
CAtchings made the point of order that,
pending report from the committee
rules. this motion was not In order. The
Speaker said that he would hear the gen.
tleman from Michigan on the question.
Mr Burrows was surprised that he should
DO asked even TO speak 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 be
Mr.. Burrows had objected 10 its reeep-
tion. and had raised point of order
against IL. lt was idle TO say hat there
was n report before the House. The report
was not In possession OF the Ho use until 10
was read TO the House.
In order to obviate this objection the
Speaker directed the Clerk to read the re-
Reed and Burrows, which the Speaker de-
cllned to notice, the Clerk -ead the resolu-
tion. Ii proviaed that Immediately after
the adoption of this order the Speaker
shall call the committee for reports and
the reports shall be referred TO the appro-
pirate calendars. aud 10 motion shall be
entertained until this order Is executed.
Mr. Reed said that &c was a recognized
custom in this and all other parliamentary
bodies that, Whenever any body bad
right to object. the hysicsl fac: of read
ing q measure would not obyiate that OBJ
lection. This was "A very simple and plain
parliamentary law. about which thero
could lie no question. The gentleman from
Mississippi had proposed TO present docu-
ment TO the House TO be acted upon. Prior
to It's reception the gentleman from Michi.
gan had made the point of order TO the
speaker that 10 was not receivable. with.
out any reference TO the contents of 10.
The question before the House was whether
the report should be received. The Speaker
had recognized that that was the question
by his ruling npoD il. That ruling was ono
OF the most surprising that had ever been
made. This sally. ooming from the source
it did. amused the House and it was greeJed
wish prolonged laughter
HERoD oUT-HERoDED.
Continuing. Mr.. Reed. addressing him.
self to the Democratic side, said that IL
the majority of the House were ready to
do this thing 1t must take the consequen.
ces. We are ready. came In chorus from
the Democratic side. The Speaker had
decided, continued Mr.. Reed. contrary to
oil parliamentary rules. and had decided
that a committee had a right 60 originate
legislation. That was q new departure.
The question was upon the reception of the
report of the committee on rules. The
Speaker was undertaking TO have it
ceived prior to the action of the House per-
mitting it's reception. IL made no differ
ence whether the Speaker directed the
Clerk to call the roll or not. Tho
House mad to decide; and until the House
decided tie resolution was not before tho
Honse. He was aware that the majority
could override tho plain PRINCIPLES of par
liamenrary law. but IL it intended to do SO
| he wanted TO know it. Herod was TO bo
/ out Heroded. Herod wanted TO witness tho
| transaction. Loud and continuous laugh
ter and applause.
| The Speaker ruled that the report was
| before the House until otherwise deter
mined by the House. and. being before the
| House. n motion for recess was not IN
| order Applause.
Mr.. Payne. of New York. appealed.
The Soeaker-rwo appeals cannot be