The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-12
Voorhees, Carries Out His Threat Of
Forcing the Senate to Remain in
Continuous Session.
DUBOIS CAUSES TROUBLE
Members Repeatedly Aroused from
Sleep to Make a aQuorum.
Most of the Night and Early Morning
Consumed by Populist Allen in
Talking Against Time.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 1.-THE usual meth
DDS by which controversies over legislation
are settled by an agreement to come to a
vote have failed TO carry, and the world is
now watching the decision of u great finan-
cial question by a test OF physical endur-
ance not unlike the games of the Romans
Like the ancient athletic feats the multi
tude fills the seats of the amphitheater and
waits the outcome. 1t may end tonight; ii
may continue for days. This peculiar con-
dition is a necessity under the rules by
which the Senate operates. There is no
manner in which vote can be forced ex-
cept by the firing out of those whose speech
making obstructs n natural and parliament
tary settlement. The method is not a new
one, as IL has heretofore been resorted 10
on numerous occasions All day long there
were evidences of preparation for the fight
Few Senators were in the chamber. but
glance into the cloak rooms and a peep into
the committee rooms showed many OF them
sleeping on the couches and sofas, hus-
banding their strength for a siege which
they appreciated would test most severely
every energy which they could muster.
Forces on both sides OF the battle were di-
vided so as TO give each other relief by
taking up the defense OF their position in
turn.
The great number Of employees OF the Sem
ate were likewise separated into relays In
anticipation OF a continuous work. The
Sergeant-at-arms, Colonel Bright, had every
man on his pay roll within call tonight.
Relays of doorkeepers are provided for the
galleries and a reserve force is ready to
guard the doors of the Senate floor. Four
men are ready and waiting to hunt UP Sen
ators and request their attendance. The ad-
dress Of every Senator has been carefully
revised up to date and the Sergeant-at-arms
has compiled a mass of interesting informa-
ton as to the usual haunts of Senators in
order that those who drift away may be
tracked to their lairs. In the committee
rooms couches and blankets had been pre-
pared and everything possible TO make COM
Portable the situation which Senators FOUND
themselves in was done.
AS the hour of o'clock approached, at
which ii was known the signal guns for
the beginning of the contest would be sound
ed the gradual filling up OF the seats on the
floor and in the galleries made it evident
that the fight was To go on. and that the
public would watch it. When the House ad-
Journed many of its members entered the
Senate and took seats on the sofas about the
wall. Speaker Crisp was among the num-
ber, and was evidently keeniy interested in
the situation. The galleries at O'Clock did
not contain an unoccupied seat and IN
the doorways was a mass of humanity
elamoring for admission. Every moment
the crowd was increased by new arrivals,
until passage through the corridors became
almost an impossibility, and thousands, ur-
ing of their efforts TO gain view OF the
proceedings, turned homeward. The hum
and buzz Of conversation increased until
the voice of Senator Allen was almost
drowned. Then the Vice President warned
the occupants Of the galleries that. quiet
must be obtained and that unless it was
the galleries would have to be cleared.
When Senator Dubois arose to make his
statement of the position the anti-repeal
men would take hush fell over the assem-
blage. and until Mr.. Voorhees, had made his
reply and Senators Harris and Butler had
made plain their positions, there was un-
usual quiet. The silver men had a consid-
cradle advantage over their opponents, and
they were free to admit their pleasure over
this condition. While they can rest in the
committee rooms and Hobbies, leaving only
on guard one speaker and Mr.. Dubois TO see
that a quorum is present, it is obligatory on
the part Of the friends Of repeal to remain
continuously in their seats In order TO main-
fair