The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-21
SOME FUN IN THE HOUSE.
Republicans Arrested and Called
to the Bar.
EVEN THAT DID NOT ANSWER.
fitting With Tom Reed to the Dis
tinCt Disadvantage of the
Silver Leader.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2O.-The deadlock
On the Bland seigniorage bill was not
broken in the House to-doy. Rollcall
followed rolcall until o'clock, when, 1t
being apparent that Bland could not mus
an adjournment.
At the opening this morning the SER
geant-at-arms reported that he had sent
thirty-seven kilograms to absent mem bers
and received fifteen replies-from five that
they were sick and from Ten that they
were on their way to Washington. he
had arrested Apsey. Gardner, Hilborn,
Post, Randall, Lucas. Marvin-all Repub-
licans. Apsey and Post were excused
when it was shown that they had voted at
the last session.
The five members in custody who had
not been excused were then brought to
the bar of the House, and like schoolboys
they were ordered by the Speaker to give
their excuses for being absent from the
House without leave. The other members
crowded about the area where the delin-
quents were ranged in row and enjoyed
the situation immensely.
Burrows wanted to know il there was
anything In the orders 10 the Sergeant-at-
Arms restricting the arrest of members }
Republicans, and the Speaker replied
good-humoredly that there was not.
Rising to an alleged parliamentary in
quiry, Grosvenor asked whether warrants
had been issued for the arrest of those
Democrats who had refused TO attend the
Democratic caucus last night.
81 hardly think that is parliamentary
inquiry" replied the Speaker.
This was the last of the incident grow
ing out of the cI-sst OF absentees. The
members laURhlngly resumed their seats,
and after the call of committees for re-
ports Bland returned to the siege which
he has been directing for the past week
He moved that debate on the seigniorage
bill be closed and upon that motion de-
manded the previous question.
The Republicans and Eastern Demo-
Gratis repeated their flibusering tactics
and succeeded in breaking the quorum.
The call developed the presence of 264
members, and the vote required on BANDS
demand for the previous question. This
vote resulted in 151 to 5. twenty-three
short of a quorum and nine less than on
the preceding vote.
Another call followed, 269 members re-
spending, and Bland made a statement to
the effect that 1t was evident quorum
could not be obtained as long as the CON-
mittees had leave to sit during the sessions
of the House. and he offered a resolu-
ton revoklng the leaves of all committees
TO sit during sessions, except the Com
mlttee on Appropriations.
Reed made the point of order against
the resolution that the action of the House
on previous occasions could not he re-.
voked pending proceedings under the call
A lively skirmlsh occurred over the poin t,
in which Springer, Reed, McCreary and
Bynum participated. Eventually, Bland
poured oil on the troubled waters by with
drawing his resolution, at the same time
stating that unless members, committees
included, attended the sessions of the
House, he would again offer and press the
resolution. The vote then again required
on BANDS demand for the previous ques-
ton and resulted in 165 to 9-within 9
votes OF a quorum.
At another call the quorum reappeared,
only to disappear again on the next rol J.
call. When the announcement was made
Bland stated that as IL was evident a
quorum could not be secured tonight, he
moved an adjournment, aud accordingly
at 10 the House adjourned