Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-09-23
SCENE IN THE HOUSE.
The Democrats Bring Up the
Tucker Bill Question.
50 ARRANGED BY THE CAUCUS.
Republicans Make n Determined Opposi-
ton Ex-Speaker Reed Excited, but
No Doubt of the Bill Being
Reported.

King Caucus dominated all personal
considerations in the house, and
the democratic majority acted as unit
in ending the tilibustering fight that
had blocked all legislation in the lower
chamber for week.
When the house met the benches
were crowded with resolutc democrats.
The committee on rules had held u
meeting over the protest of the rcpub-
lican members, eX-Speaker Reed and
Mr. Burrows, and had decided to report,
if necessary, rule that would disarm
the filibustering republicans. The
caucus had resolved that the democrats
should sit in continuous session until
the bill repeating the federal election
laws should be reported.
AS soon as the journal had been read
Mr.. Loud. of California, asked unan-
imous consent for the consideration of
resolution calling upon the secretary
of the treasury to know how many
ounces of silver had been purchased
under the Sherman law in July and
August, and also what amount of sill
yer had been offered for sale during
these months, and, if the government
had not purchased the 1850, 1000 ounces
required by law, to know under what
authority the secretary had acted. MIR.
Fitch objected and thereupon the
struggle began.
Mr.. Burrows moved to dispense with
the call of committees for reports, and
Immediately Gen. Catchings, from the
committee on rules, presented his re-
port, which provided that no other
business should be in order until the
reports of committees had been re-
ceived. Mr.. Burrows attempted n
flank movement by raising the point
of order that the report was not in or
der because no proposition of that kind
had ever been sent to the committee
for action. A parliamentary duel then
followed between Mr.. Burrows on the
one side, supported by Mr.. Reed, and
the speaker on the other. The members
crowded the area in front of the speak
er's desk and the galleries listened in.
tently But the subtle blade of the
Michigan leader went down before the
broadsword of the Georgia speaker.
The speaker overruled the point of or
der, pointing out that the committee
on rules could originate orders of BUSH
ness for the house just as the commit
tee on appropriations could originate
appropriations The decision was re-
ceived with loud democratic applause.
Mr.. Burrows promptly appealed against
the decision of the chair, and Mr.. Fitch,
of New York, as promptly moved to lay
that motion on the table. Mr.. Bur-
rows sought to increase the parlia-
mentary tangle by moving, pending
Mr. Fitch's motion, that the house
take recess for one hour. Mr.. Catch
ings raised the point of order that,
pedding action on report from the
committee on rules, only one IOtion
was in order. Mr.. Burrows was al
lowed to make an argument against
the point raised by Mr.. Catchings, dur
which the speaker instructed the clerk
to read the order.
II object" shouted Mr.. Reed, again
and standing in the aisle, his big frame
shaking like an enraged lion. But the
speaker only pounded his desk with his
gayel and ordered the clerk to pro-
coed. The hot blood of partisanship
was coursing through the veins of the
house and the confusion grew worse"
Nothing can be gained by ordering
the clerk to read report when he has
no right to do it," cried Mr.. Reed, de-
family. He then went on impassion-
ately to inveigh against the action of
the speaker.
1.-THE speaker decided that the report
of the committee on rules was receiv-
able, by ruling" he said, raising his
voice impressively, (which is the most
surprising ever made in Legislative his
tory. Democratic jeers. Oh, you
have got to force your action" he con-
tinued, turning fiercely on the demo-
cratic majority.
Were ready" chorus of voices
shouted back.
"The speaker decided contrary to the
decisions of all other speakers, he went
on.
(which speaker" inquired Mr.. Fitch.
''He decided" Mr.. Reed continued,
not deigning to reply, that the COM
.mittee can originate legislation"
The fight continued all afternoon,
the republicans stubbornly contesting
every step, but the democrats were
able by hard work to muster n
bare quorum and carry their point.
At AIS it was apparent that the end OF
the fight would be that the federal
elections bill will be reported. despite
the desperate dilatory tactics of the
opposition.
Nominations.