Courier Democrat., 1894-02-15
They expect to have q quorum present

w. m -.- -- n " I
They expect to have a quorum present
this afternoon.
The senate did not come to a vote on
Ne federal election bill yesterday after
sdoon as was anticipated. Several sen-
lators who had not hitherto spoken de-
sicd an opportunity to be heard on the
measure, and by unanimous consent the
time of general debate was extended un-
t., this afternoon
~
Washington, Feb. 8.-The bill repeal
Ing i'll toto all federal election laws regu-
tions has passed both houses of congress
and only awaits the signature of Presi-
dent Cleveland to become law. After
several weeks of discussion the senate
finally came to vote on the house bill
repeating the federal election laws. and it
passed by a vote of 80 to %. NUMEROUS
amendments were presented by the Re
publicans, but they were voted down reg
ularly and methodically, the Democrats
not even taking the trouble to join in
the debate on the amendatory PROPOSE
tions. Senator Stewart of Nevada voted
with the Democrats on every proposition,
giving as his reason that he thought the
power of the executive was already too
great, and that the centralizing tendency
of the age should be checked at once if
the republic is to survive. The three
Populists, Senators Allen, Kyle and
Peffer, also voted with the Democrats
on every amendment, as well as on the
main bill. The measure as it passed the
senate is identical with the bill as it
passed the house, no committee amend
ments having been proposed.
By vote of 175 to 81 the house adopt
ed the resolution .londemning Minister
Stevens and sustaining the Hawaiian pol
icy of Mr.. Cleveland. The Republicans
flib, stored against it to the end. Upon
the first vote the resolution was carried
174 to 3, and al interesting parliament
| tt ry question was raised as to whether
III, instead of 179, was not q quorum,
four seats being vacant on account Of
deaths. The speaker held that ma
jority of the members of the house then
living constituted a quorum, quoting in
support of his position review of the
81 bject made by the ex-speaker in the
| F;fty-flst congress. His position, how
ever, was warmly assailed by some of
the Democratic members and it was
finally agreed to take the vote over again,
SO the ruling was eventually withdrawn.
After the voting upon these resolutions
had been completed Mr.. Bland of Mis-
souri, made an attempt to get up his bill
for the coinage of the silver seignorage
in the treasury. The Eastern Democrats,
led by Messrs. Tracey and Cochran, in
augurated a filibuster in which they were
Joined by the majority of the Republic
ans, although few of the latter indi-
| Gated by their votes that they favored a
| consideration Of the bill, and for four
hours Mr.. Bland and the remainder of
| the Democrats were held at bay. Find
ing that it was impossible to secure a
quorum to proceed with the consideration
of the bill, and tlu. house might be dead
locked indefinitely npon the proposition,
Mr.. Bland directed his efforts toward Sc
curing the adoption of a resolution to re-
/! woke all leaves of absence and to IN
struct the sergeant-at-arms to arrest ab'
scutees After l,ersistcnt struggle Mr.
Bland was successful, AMI the resolution
| was passed. =
| Washington, Feb. 9.-Thc deadlock on
Mr.. Bland's silver seigniorage bill was
broken after four hours of contiuous
filibustering, when, by vote of 176 to
! 4, the house carried Mr.. BANDS mo-
| ton of going into committee of the whole
1 for consideration of his bill. The East.
ern Democrats and the great mass of the
| Republicans made determined opposi-
ton, but Mr.. Bland was at last vic
torious. On the final vote, 16 Republi'
| cans and all the Populists voted with
him, while % Democrats who were pres
ent joined with the remainder OF the
Republicans in refusing to vote. 1t was
thoroughly understood that quite mum.
ber of Democrats who voted with Mr.
Bland this afternoon were in favor OF
certain notifications of the bill, although
they would not carry their opposition to
the extent of voting against its consid.
Grafton. It is also well known that Sec
retary Carlisle and the administration
generally is opposed to the bill in its
presentform. After the consideration OF
the bill began, Mr.. Carlisle arrived at the
capitol and had conference with sew.
eral of the leading Democrats of the
house, as well as those Democrats who
were managing the filibuster, and just
tefore adjournment, the announcement
was officially made on the floor by Mr.
Tracey that no further attempt to ill
buster against the consideration of the
bill would be made. This is taken to
mean that compromise has been agreed
upon and that certain concessions will
be made, in line with the suggestions OF
Mr.. Carlisle.
The senate resumed consideration OF
Mr.. Stewards bond resolution, but NC
action was taken.
The special order was the memorial
resolution in memory of Representative
Mutchler of Pennsylvania, who died at
the beginning of the present congress
Addresses were delivered by Senators
Quay of Pennsylvania, Mitchell of Wis
consin, and Hansbrough of North Da'
kota, and several others. The senate ad'
journed until MondSy.
KtttsOn Heirs Happy.
In the probate court this afternoon