The herald., 1894-03-01
Debate on the SeigniOrage Bill
ChOked Off.
A Special Order Reported for Taking
Vote ON 1t.
The Quorum Vanished Before 1t Gould
Be Adopted-Frye Speaks on the
Hawaiian Question In
the Senates
By the AssooIated Pros.

WAsHINGToN, Feb. 2S-In the house
today Geissenhsiner tried to secure
unanimous consent for a bin appropri-
ating $45, 600 to save the armament of
the wrecked battleship Kesrsarge, but
Bland demanded the regular order.
kigore, as a matter of personal priv.
ilege, presented resolution reciting the
law requiring that whenever member
is absent, except on account of sickness,
his pay shall be withheld, asking infor-
nation of the sergeant.at-arms whether
he had enforced the law; if not. why
not, and il he believed it could not be
enforced, to give his reasons. The
speaker decided that in the form pre-
sented, it was not a matter OF personal
privilege, and Kilgore withdrew it to
change it to conform to the speakers
idea.
Bland moved to go into committee of
the whole for consideration OF the seig-
niorage bill, and that general debate
close at 3 O'Clock tomorrow, snd de-
manded the previous question. On roll
broke from the silent ranks of the New
York delegation, giving up the fill
buster.
After the name of Bingham was called
and he did not answer, johnson of Ohio
called attention to the fact that the rules
OF the house expressly require members
present to vote, the speaker ruled that
the roll call could not be interrupted.
johnson then reserved his point till the
conclusion of the roll call.
The roll call completed, Livingston re-
newed Johnson's point of order and de-
manded that Tracey, who refused to
vote, be held in contempt of the house.
johnson said ne had the names of %
members who had not voted.
Livingston demanded that the speaker
enforce the rule under the decision of
the supreme court. But" returned
the speaker, "the chair only has the
power to request members to abide by
the rule. The chair is the organ of the
house, not its master [applaueel and as
long as the present occupant is in the
chair he will never make rule" Re.
newed Rpplsuse.1
Boatner declared it must be in order
to make motion under the rule to
place Tracy in contempt.
The chair then stated the discussion
WAS proceeding by unanimous consent,
and he was ready to announce the re-
suit Of the vote. He then announced
the result-169 to 5, five short of
quorum.
Bland moved call OF the house. The
call developed the presence Of 265 men,
bers.
Further proceedings under the call
were dispensed with. 1873 to 3. and the
vote recurred upon Bland's demand for
the previous question on the motion to
limit the debate.
The deadlock WAS broken on the vote,
after two weeks' filibustering. The de.
mand for the previous question on
Bland's motion was sustained, III to Z.
Loud cheers greeted the announce
ment.
Tracey Immediately moved to recon-
sider the vote by which the demand was
sustained.
A quorum having been secured, Oath
waite, from the committee on rules, re-
ported a special order to discharge the
committee OF the whole from further
consideration Of the pending bill (the
seigniorage billC and provided that after
two hours consideration in the house,
the previous question should be consid-
cred as ordered on the bill and the pend
ing amendments, no intervening mo-
tions to be in order.
Upon the adoption of the order Outh-
waite demanded the previous question.
AS the roll call was proceeding Reed
precipitated lively scene by chRlleng-
ing the correctness Of the tally.
The speaker had his name called ON
the demand of previous question on the
adoption Of the special order and it was
sustained, 40 to 10, one more than a
quorum.
A vote was then taken on the adop.
tion of the epecia order. The quorum
was lost on the vote, 1865 to IL, three
short of quorum. The house was
again blocked. just as the last barrier
was being removed, and Cultivate,
stating that this question would coma
up as soon as the house convened to-
morrow, moved adjournment, and at
O'Clock the house adjourned.