The herald., 1894-01-09
WILSON BILL TAKEN UP
Democrats Successful in Get
ting a Quorum.
Absentees Brought in by the
Sergeant-at-arms.
Boutelle Vainly Attempts to Avoid
the Inevitable.
Tariff Debate Begun After a Memorable
Parliamentary Struggie-WiIson's
Opening Speech = Other
Addresses.

BY the Associated Pres.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.--When the house
met today the chances appeared to be
that the deadlock, for lack of Demo-
cratic quorum. would be broken and
that the tariff debate would begin today,
and such proved to be the case. The
deputies Of the sergesnt-st-arms had
brought back to Washington enough
members under arrest to fill the quorum.
BoUTELLE's LAST ASSAULT.
As soon as the reading OF the journal
was completed, the speaker recognized
Catchings to call up the report from the
committee on rulea. Boutelle de-
manded recognition to call up his 1880
luton to the effect that the Presidents
Hawaiian policy invaded the rights and
and dignity of the house. The speaker
was disposed to ignore him, as he had
done on the two previous days, but this
morning Boutelle made the point OF
order, but the speaker in attempting to
give precedence to the report from the
committee on rules over question Of
privilege, himself invaded the privileges,
dignity and honor OF the house, and this
point having been made, the question
must be submitted to the house itself
to determine whether its privileges were
absolutely abrogated.
The startling nature of this point OF
order caused the greatest excitement
and confusion. Members crowded down
about the speakers rostrum. Boutelle
in fierce terms insisted that this poin I
OF order should be submitted directly to
the house. 1t WAS notorious, be went
on hotly, that this question which he
had before the house WAS essential to its
dignity. The fragrant acts committed
by the executive abroad were known to
every member, and it was also known
that the president's disgraceful policy
had eliminated.
At this point McMillin vainly at
tempted to call Boutele to order, but
the gentleman from Maine continued
more impetuously than eve: III my
point of order does not Intervene" he
proceeded to cay, then these proceed
incs can .heer aJ,t exsgy, thur fSezsdgsi
from the president declaring he usurped
imperial power, and the house is abso-
lutely manacled."
Speaker Crisp, in ruling on Boutelle's
discussion of the parliamentary situa-
tion, in order, he said, ito give life and
effect to ths privilege of the house to
change its own rules. The rules require
that when proposition to change the
rules is before the house nothing shall
be in order except motion to adjourn.
II the gentleman from Maine can evoke
the existing rule to prevent it from pro.
ceeding to consider change in the rules
then the house ties itself hand and foot.
II the house feels its honor and dignity
assailed by the speaker or by the execu-
tive, then the house can vote down this
report and the chair will recognize Mr..
Boutelle to call up his resolution"
Boutelle tried to continue, but Speaker
Crisp refused to recognize him further.
REED CHIPS IN.
Boutelle was still clamoring when
Reed arose to q parliamentary inquiry,
desiring to know whether the speaker
refused to entertain Boutelle's appeal on
the ground that it was dilatory.
The speaker replied that he had sim
ply given Boutelle hearing on point
upon which he ruled on two previous
occasions, in the belief, possibly, that
he had something new to present.
A colloquy between the speaker and
Reed continued for some time.
The speaker then stated the question
to be on the demand for the previous
q question, on the report from the COM
mittee on rules, and vote was then
taken. The Republicans refused to
vote, US they did last week, and several
Democrats, headed by Sperry of Con-
necticut, also declined to answer to
their names.
THE TARIFF TAKEN UP.
The demand for the previous question
on taking up the tariff bill carried, 1S9
to 0, 10 more than a quorum. Thirty
minutes debate was allowed under the
rules.
Catchings opened with 80 minutes
debate for the Democrats, and was re-
piled to by Reed, who urged that there
was no necessity for crowding this meas-
ure. Wilson followed, insisting that
there was ample time Cor full and in
structive discussion OF the bill, provided
that general debate was continued
throughout the present week, with
night sessions. Wilson said he would
agree that debate under the five-minute
rule should begin next Monday and a
vote be taken January 29th. Reed would
not agree to this proposition, and moved
to recommit the order, with instructions
to amend, giving four additional days
for rebate and permit the bill to be
amended by paragraphs. Reeds motion
was lost and the special order passed,
175 to /. The house then went into
committee of the whole, Richardson of
Tennessee in the chair.
WILSON OPENS THE DEBATE.
The preliminaries having thus been
settled Chairman Wilson OF the ways
and means committee rose and opened
the debate on the tariff bill.
Wilson said the American people had
given this administration definite in
structions regarding the tariff question.
The bill about TO be considered present
ed scheme OF tariff reform to be dealt
with according to the deliberate judy.
ment OF the house, covering so wide q