The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-02-23
THEY OBJECT T0ARREST
A Scene Of Turmoil in The HOHs 0.
REPRESENTATIVES
LEGAL ACTION THREATENED
The Republicans and the Goldbug
Democrats Make a Disgrace
fui scene In the House
and Prevent Action.
.EGAL ACTION THREATENED

WASHINGTON, Feb. -Washinpton's
birthday had dramatic incidents which
may possibly culminate with legal pro-
ceedings against tho sereeant-lt-arms for
false Imprisonment OF members of con-
Gress. The sergeant-at-arms has, acting
by virtue OF a general warrant of arrest,
issued last Monday, been apprehending
members wherever found. The warrant
contains the names of 50 congressman.
SHOW began last night 10 arrest congress-
men on the iloor OF the house on warrants
charging them with absenIing themselves
Monday. This was in accordance with
colloquy between Speaker Crisp and the
sergeant-at-arms. During the session
yesterday Snow asked II he was expected
10 arrest members on the floor. Crisp
| answered that the sergeant-at-arms was
expected 10 execute the ORDER" This
was accepted as meaning that arrests on
the floor should be made, and Snow at
once began TO carry this idea into effect.
He arrested seven congressman as they
sat IN their seats. Deputy HUI made as
many more arrests. In each case a men,
Der was tapped on the shoulder and told
lac was released on paro! TO report when
required. THIS morning arrests began
| again and were continued until inter-
| rupted by stirring scene. Cummings
| came down the middle aisle of the house
just as the session was about to open.
Deputy Hill stepped up TO him and notified
hiin that by virtue Of q warrant he had,
Cummings would be placed under arrest
| aud his parol taken. The congressman
| flushed and took the matter seriously. He
| stepped back aud in bitter language de-
nounced the effort TO arrest him. He re-
| fused TO recognize the validity of the war;
| rant.
II give you fair warning" said Cum
| mings, III YOU touch inc you act at your
| peril
Tho house met contrary TO custom on
| Washington's birthday, owing 10 the
tangle over the Bland seigniorage bill. The
| prospect of securing quorum was not as
| good as yesterday. Bland and his follow
ers arc apparently disheartened but re-
fused 10 accept compromise by dropping
the section Of the bill providing for the
coinage of the remainder of the bullion
and the retirement of tho Sherman treas
ury notes of the act OF 1890. Pence, Colo
RADIO, as a personal privilege, explained
| ''iH 81 IL WAS iiot II tS Us sA1Att pup
,Iiists attended the democratic caucus on
/ Feb. 10. He thought they were IN entire
sympathy with the resolution adopted by
that caucus, that II was the duty of demo-
Gratis to attend the sessions of
the house and transact business.
Then Cummings, New York, arose and
Denounced vigorously the attempt made
to arrest him this morning by the SER
gcant-at-arms. lie declared he had been
present at the sessions Of the house daily
hours before and hours after the sergeant
alarms was there. lie told that official
and his assistants that they would arrest
him at their peril, and stigmatiZed as tyr
rany tho attempt TO arrest him on WASH
ington's birthday. In the name of the
American people ho protested against
holding farcical session on a national
holiday. and in honor of the memory OF
George Washington he moved to adjourn.
Dockery, in the chair, decided that as
Cummings had been recognized for per.
sonal explanation, he could not make u
motion. Bland moved to close the debate
on his seignlorage bill al 3 p. m. Saturday,
and demanded the previous question
thereon. Cummings again moved TO ad-
journ, which was lost l02 10 LA on rising
vote. Cummings demanded the yeas and
nays. Republican and democratic oppo-
ncnts of the bill voted for adjournment,
but il was lost, III to 40.
Bedlam broke looks and the most in-
tense excitement prevailed when the ar
rested members were brought TO the bar
of the house. The validity of tho war
rants were questioned, General Sickels
| II .,I,a NJ. hl. -,
action by each member arrested. Several
attempts 10 adjourn were unsuccessful
and on two occasions the scrgeani-at-
arms was compelled TO clear tho aisles
with his mace.
Great confusion arose over Sickles' de-
msnd 10 be heard on the question of
privilege. As way out of the difficulty it
was decided To hear the report OF the
sergcant-at.arms, giving list OF those
arrested, as follows: Richards, Bellz-
hoover. Clancy, Colleen, Cooper. Cum
miags, who refuses arrest; Dunn, who pro-
tests; Erdman, Carter. Hribbs, Mnhor,
McAlecr, Murray, MUtchler. Reilly, Rush.
Slckles, Hulick, Mcdowell, Johnson.
Woomcr. Sickes then said: II demand
a separate trial. Amid turmoil and the
pounding OF the gayel, the speaker pro
TEN ordered Sickles 10 sit down, and he
obeycd. The list OF prisoners was then
called. McAleer, republican of Pennsyi.
vania. announced that he was absent IN
Pennsylvania. voting for member Of the
house. "And," he added, partly through
my efforts, we rolled up l77,000 majority
for Galusha Grow" Republican APP
plause.J Reed moved that McAleer
be discharged and his name stricken
from the warrant. S!ckles pro-
tested that no names are on the
warrant and that it was null and void.
This statement created fresh turmoil, and
the speakers order to arrest the absentccs
was read. Sickles held the floor and de.
manded TO know If he was under arrest
aud had a right to vote. While the chair
was attempting 10 qucll the impending
riot, ummIngs called out: You did not
call him. Sickies, 10 order At Gettysburg
Dockery in the chair announced tho
previous question carried. Bland with.
drew the demand and also the motion to
close the debate on the seisniuragc bill
Outhwaite moved 10 adjourn which was
lost. Sickles objected TO further proceed.
ings under the warrant, IL being abso