The record-union., 1894-02-23
Monday.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-Washington's
Birthday brought out dramatic incidents
in the House which may possibly culml-
nate with legal proceedings against the
Sergeant-at-Arms for false imprisonment
of members of Congress. Sergeant-at-
Arms Snow, acting by virtue OF general
warrant of arrest issued last Monday, has
been apprehending members wherever
found. The warrants contain the names
of fifty-six congressman. Snow began
last night to arrest Congressman on the
floor of the House on warrants charging
them with absenting themselves on Mon
day. This was in accordance with the
eolloquy between Speaker Crisp and the
Sergeant-at-Arms during the session
Yesterday. Snow asked if he was eX-
pected to arrest members on the floor.
Crisp answered that the Sergeant-at-
Arms was expected to 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 Con-
gressmen as they sat in their seats. Dep
uty Hill made as many more arrests. In
each case the member was tapped on the
shoulder and told that he was released on
parole, to report when wanted.
This morning the arrests began again,
and continued until Interrupted by a
stirring scene. Cummings came down
the middle aisle of the House just as the
session was about to open. Deputy Hl1l
stepped no to him and notified him that
L, ao al n
would be placed under arrest and his pa
role taken.
The Congressman flushed, and took the
matter seriously. lie stepped back, and
in bitter language denounced the effort
to arrest him. He refused TO recognize
the validity of the warrant. II give you
fair warming" said Cummings, ''if you
touch me you act at your peril"
For a moment it looked as though there
would be serious trouble, as Cummings
plainly intimated that he intended to re-
sent the slightest touch indicating arrest
by force. The deputy quickly with
drew, however, as the orders OF the Ser
geant-at-Arms are to avoid indignities to
congressman in every way possible.
The members apprehended threaten to
secure suitable redress, and talk OF legal
proceedings for false imprisonment.
Sergeant-at-Arms Snow says: "The
greatest care has been taken to avoid
giving offense to members. My orders
TO the deputies are to proceed with the
greatest caution and Difference. We do
not arrest members as though they were
tramps or common drunks. They are
merely notified that their names are on
the warrant, and then the member is
touched to make the service effective"
The House met to-day, contrary to the
custom on WashingtOn's Birthday, ow-
ing to the tangle over the Bland seignior-
age bill
The prospect for securing a quorum
was not as good as yesterday.
Bland and his followers were appar-
entity disheartened, but refused to accept
a compromise by dropping the section OF
the bill providing for the coinage of the
remainder OF the bullion and the retire
ment of the Sherman Treasury notes o1
the Act OF 1880.
Pence of Colorado, as personal priVi-
lege, explained that it was not true. as
stated, that Populists had attended the
Democratic caucus on the 18th, though
they were in entire sympathy with the
resolution adopted by that caucus that it
was the duty OF the Democrats to attend
the sessions of the House and transact
business
Then Cummings of New York arose
and denounced vigorously the attempt
made to arrest him this morning by the
ergeant-at-Arms. He declared ne had
been present at the sessions of the House
daily, hours before and hours after the
Sergeant-at-Arms was there.
He told the official and his assistants to
arrest him al their peril and stigmatized
as unbridled tyranny the attempt of an
arrest on WashingtOn'S birthday. In the
name of the American people he pro-
tested against holding a 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 a
motion.
Bland moved to close the debate on
his seigniorage bill at F. NJ. Saturday,
and demanded the previous question
thereon.
Cummings again moved to adjourn.
Lost-l02 to 124 on rising vote.
Cummings demanded the ayes and
noes.
Republicans and Democratic opponents
of the bill voted for adjournment, but it
was loSt-1l7 to l40.
Bedlam broke loose and the most in
tense excitement prevailed this after
noon when the arrested members were
brought to the bar of the House.
The validity of the warrants was Ques-
Sergeant-at-Arms was liable to action by
each member arrested.
Great confusion arose over Sickles' de-
mand TO be heard on question of priVI-
iege. AS way ont OF the difficulty it
was decided to hear the report of the Ser
geat-at-Arms, giving a list of those ar
rested as follows: Richards, Jr., Beltz-
hoover, Clancy, Cotfein, Copper, Cum
mings (who refuses arrest, Dunn fwho
1,rorasfS1 man i vi bnc No
hon, McAleer, Murray, Mutchler, Reilly,
Rush, Sickles, HuHck, Mcdowell, John
son, Woomer.
Sickles then said: ''I demand a sepa-
rate trial"
Amid the turmoil and pounding of the
gavel, the Speaker pro tenn. ordered
Sickles to sit down, and he obeyed
The list of prisoners was then called.
Adams (Rep.), of Pennsylvania was alb
sent in PennSy lvania voting for a mem
Der of the House, land" he added
partly through my efforts we rolled ur
IL 900 majority for Galusha A. Grow. y
[Republican applause.
Reed moved that Adams be discharged.
and his name was stricken from the war
rant.
Sickles protested that no names were
IN the warrant, and that it was null and
void. This statement created fresh tur-
mol, and the Speakers order TO arrest
the absentees was read. Sickles held the
floor, and demanded to know if he was
under arrest and had a right to vote.
While the Chair was attempting to
quell the impending riot, Cummings
called out: ou did not call him
(Sicklesl to order at Gettysburg"
Dockery, in the chair, announced the
previous question carried.
Bland withdrew his demand, and also
his motion to close the debate on the
seigniorage bin.
Cultivate moved to adjourn. Lost.
Siekles objected to further proceedings
under the warrant, it being absolutely