The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-22
Filibusters In Control of the House All
Yesterday and Last Night.
Absence of Crisp Quorum Taken Advantage
of BY the Opponents Of the Automatic
Car-Coupling Measure.
Dir. Lind Tries TO Enliyen the Proceed.
ings, but Is Squelched by the Speaker.
Senator German Utters Warning Against
Pens on Appropriations-Mrs. Harrison's
Portrait 70 be Hung in the White House.
LONG SESSION OF THE HOUSE.

LONG SESSION OF THE HOUSE.
Successful, FiIibustering Against Considera-
ton of the ar-Coupicr Bill.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-The House spent
all of yesterday and last night In filibuster-
ing against the oar-coupler bill and was
still at lt at 3o'clock this morning.
Yesterday, when the hour fixed for con-
sideration of the car-coupler bill arrived.
the committee, which had been considering
the postoffice bill. rose and Mr.. Wise moved
that the Senate amendments thereto bc
conourred in: pending which Mr. Richardson
moved that it's consideration be postponed
until Tuesday next subsequently Mr..
Richardson withrew his motion to post
pone, and moved the reference Of the bill
to the committee on commerce. After some
discussion on point of order as 10 whether
the latter motion was debatable the Speak
er ruled that it was not. The motion TO
refer was defeated-yeas. Ga; nays. 1s4.
Fllibustering then began. and after vari-
Gus dilatory motions. vote was ordered
on y motion to adjourn until Thursday. No
quorum appearing. there were several
attempts made to reach o compromise.
The principal of these WAS made by Mr.
Hatch. He was. he said. a friend Of the
pending measure: de asked the Speaker
whether this bill pending on the Speakers
table wOuld be IN the same condition to-
morrow, after an Adjournment, as it was
to-day.
The speaker replied that hs did not like
to answer the question without some Ok
animation OF the subject
Mr. Hatch said thaG he did not desire to
entagonlZe the bill, but be was sure shat
the friends of the bill, and he came TO this
conclusion after careful examination OF
the rules, wonld lose nothing II the Houss
adjourned until tomorrow. The bill w0uld
be laid before the body immediately after
the approval OF the Journal tomorrow.
Mr.. Lind-But what does the Speaker
sayi
Sir. Hatch-I am trying to get his opin-
ION now.
Mr. Wlse-I say to the friends of the bill
that they are not safe If they DO not know
what will be the decision of the Chair. The
gentleman from Missouri 10 endeayoring to
persuade the friends of the bill that IL 10
safe 10 adjourn. and l say 10 them that IL -
not safe.
The Speaker-The Chair declines to do
eide the question before it comes up.
For an hour or more the House waited
patiently for the return of absentees, but
as none was brought forward by
the Sergeant-at-arms. MIR. Lind en-
liveDed the proceedings somewhat
by rising TO a question OF privilege.
Last summer" he began. "a large number
OF gentlemen met at Chicago" But here
he was interrupted by Mr. Richardson with
the query as to whether the gentleman
wOnld state on his honor that he Was sd.
dressing himself TO a question of privilege.
Mr. Lind replied that be was addressing
himself TO the Speaker and not to the gen.
tleman from Tennessee. Last summer"
he resumed, "a large number OF gentle.
mem" but again he wac interrupted.
this time by the Speaker, who stated that
during q call of the House no question Of
privilege could be entertained unless 10
arose out of the condition OF the body at
this time.
Mr.. Lind replied that it was only the
present condition of the House that i'm
The Speaker-Will the gentleman send
the paper which he is about TO read to the
CHART
Mr.. Lind-l can state the facts.
The Speaker (smilinglv)-But the gentle.
man in stating facts may violate the rules.
The paper. which was the Democratic
platform, was not read. and Mr. Lind with
drew the question of privilege.
Eillibustering continued all night The
usual scenes incident to a night ses-
eralamusing episodes. but taken as whole,
the session mp to midni ght was dreary one.
Shortly after midnight the Speaker stated
that the SergeaDt-at-arms was unable 10
arrest of absentees. The Sergeant-at- arms
had been unable. on account of the danger
Gus condition Of tue street, 10 secure ve-
hicles from the livery Sbles. In view of
this statement Mr.. Morse rep. Mssal
moved an adjournment, but the motion
was voted down.
At1A NJ. the monotony OF the proceed
lngs was broken by personal controversy
between Mr. Watson of Georgia, Mr. Cum
mings. OF New York, and Dir. Richardson. OF
Wi nf Waf. -
crIticism of railroad influence in Congress.
Richardson resented what he regarded as
q reflection upon himself, and read copious
extracts from switchmens testimony to
demonstrate the faulty character OF the
bill.
At2,3 A. NJ. there was no change in the
situation. except that the House had lost
the humor for debate and was listening to
the moDotonors voice of the clerk engaged
In one of the numerous roll calls.
Mr.. Bailey, of Texas. had dose of his own
medicine to-day. Mr. Bailey is q great
stickier for the Constitution. He has upon
numerous occasions during the daily meet
ings of the House. in the early hour of the
day, when members had not yet arrived in
full numbers, called the attention of men,
bers TO the fact that a quorum was not
present, rs the Constitution provides.
which would prevent consideration by
unanimous consent of bills at the time pre-
sented. His objection, of course. served TO
cut Oft further consideration. and Mr. Bailey
was not beloved therefor. To-day Mr.
Bailey had little bill. lt related TO q
railroad in Texas, and Mr.. Bailey wanted
IL considered ana passed.
Mr.. Buchanan, of New Jersey. in tone
of conspicuous Difference and considers
tion, asked for an explanation OF the bill.
Mr.. Bailey was only too glad 20 oblige the
gentleman and related its merits, while Mr.
Buchanan bowed acquiescence TO each sen.
tence. Mr. Bailey was progressing famous
ly. and could. in his minds eye. almost see
the bill passed.
II would further like 10 ask the gentle
man from Texas" said Mr. Buchanan In .
most innocent tone. ''if. before asking the
House to pass this bill. he is satisfied that
q quorum is present" and Dir. Bailey sat
down while the House laughed. Mr.. Buoh.
anan did not object to the bill, however.
and it was passed.