New-York tribune., 1894-04-13

resolution roundly when it was read, and MS
example has been followed by a number OF
other Democrats from his section Mr. Cochran
thinks the pending resolution Will not accomp-
aish the purpose f its authors.
IF quorum be present" said he. the House
has 1t in its power 10 establish i;s presence IL
a member is present for the purpose OF obstruc-
ton he may be counted as present FOR Ali legls-
lative purposes a member cannot be both pres
ent and absent at the same time There seems
TO be feeling that the counting or a quorum OF
members present would be an Endorsement OF
Reeds rules. Mr.. Reed in my opinion IS not
such powerful person that he should be allowed
TO drive party into ridiculous. ihogicai ana
obstructive course, merely for the sake OF re-
naming in opposition to him on a popular ques-
ton. Mr.. Reed is not the originator OF the rsht
of the House 20 ascertain the presence of a
quorum In exercising thai power he was merely
enforcing original and elementary parliamentary
law"
Isdor Straus of New-York. is one Of the East
ern Democrats who will sustain the Committee
on Rules The resolution is no less ob)ecuOnaO!e
to Mr.. Straus than 1t is to others, but ne VIII
vote for any rule which will enable the House
to do business This declaration expressed eX-
actly the sentiment Of 4 great majority oi the
Democrats. They are opposed 70 arbitrary meas
ures, but they realize the futility Of attempting
to do business until some means are employed
of bringing quorum Of members to the city ana
compelling them 10 vote after they have arrived.
Mr.. Straus has been endeaVOrng FOR some unle,
he says but without avail to secure the report
ing of an order from the Committee on Rules TO
enforce the law with reference to aDsenteelsm.
was passed August 49, 1856 and n. ~ be found in
section 40 of the Revised Statute. 1t provides
that the 'Sergeant-at-Arms of III" House snail
deduct from the monthly payment e each nein-
Der or delegate the amount of his - 1ry for each
day that he has been absent from the House
unless such member Or delegate assigns as the
reason for such absence the sickness OF himsen
or OF some member of his family"
Many members believe this law cannot be en-
forced.
No Republican. So far can be learned. will
support the Catchings resolution. and the claim ~
made tonight that sufficient number Of Demo-
Gratis can be found to vote with the Republicans
to defeat Il.
Before the struggle had gone on Tar today the
House was asked 10 pass a resolution revoking
all leaves of absence except on account or SICK
ness, and ordering the arrest OF absentees. IL
may be remembered that the order of arrest
passed on March 9 has not yet been vacated and
a number Of members were in their seats to-day
who were named in the warrant OF arrest. and
who have not been arrested. How high these
unexecuted orders Of arrest may be piled before
the House gets through with this quorum busi-
ness remains 10 be seen. The resolution for the
second order of arrest was offered by Mr. Catch
ings of the Committee on Rules, at time and
under circumstances which made II obnoxious
TO point of order which was promptly sub
mitted by Mr.. Reed and ably argued by him and
Messrs Burrows, Boutelle. Lacy DOlliver and
others. but which overruled by the Speaker
pro tenn.