New-York tribune., 1894-04-13
THE PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.

Washington, April l2.When the journal had been
read and approved. Mr. Catchlngs Dem, Miss)
presented the ining resolution from the Committee
on Rules
Before the resolution read Mr.. burrows
(Rep. Mich) suggested that NJ quorum pres
ent and objected 10 the reception of the report
A colloquy ensued with the Speaker. in which the
latter ruled that the question Of quorum could not
be raised in that way, after the journal had been
read. By the reading Of the journal he Speaker
presumed the presence Of a quorum.
Mr. Burrows then moved a call Of the House but
the Speaker declined 10 recognize him for this pur
pose, which would have resulted in taking Mr.
Catchings off the floor.
MI Burrows asked appeal supported by Mir
Reed, but this not entertained. and the reading
OF the resolution reported by Mr. Cachings was
ordered While the clerk was reading. Mr.. Reed
endeavored to make the point that the resolution
not in order the House being in the act Of
dividing the vote to discharge the order Of ar
rest. which was interrupted yesterday by adjourn
ment because OF the lack OF quorum. But he was
not permitted TO do 50 then. nor later, before Mr.
Catchngs moved the previous question on his reso-
luton. He insisted upon being recognized by the
Chair to make point Of order. and the Speaker de-
cned to make the recognition in terms to suit the
gentleman from Maine
The reading Of the resolution received with
laughter and applause by the Republicans. and
while the yeas and nays were being called it was
discussed with much interest by knots Of members
about the clerks desk
The vote resulted Yeas. li2; nays II. the Re
publicans voting. Those voting in the mega
tive were: Messrs. Causey Dem), Coomhs O.. ",
Cummings (N ", Geary (Cal). Gcissenhainer (N
J) Kigore (Texas). Mcguire Cal). McAleer
PENN. Paynter (Ky). Ryan (N ". and Warner
(N y.
No quorum voting. call of the House
ordered
Pending the call. several members were excused
on motion. for Illness and important business. FL
nay Mr Gear Rep, Iowa. asked that his col
league Mr. Hull, having been called out Of the city
on important business. be excused until Monday
Mr. Reed objected. whereupon Mr. Gear formally
moved that Mr.. Hull be excused.
After considerable argument the yeas and nays
were ordered resulting: Yeas, 81 nays. le5 80 the
House refuses to excuse the gentleman from Iowa"
said the Speaker pro tenn
Mr. Catchings and Mr.. Lacey Reps.. IOwa) were
on their feet for recognition. and the former Sc
cured the eye and voice OF the Speaker. pro tenn.
81 send up this resolution" Mr.. Catchngs said
Mr. Lacey moved TO reconsider tho vote just taken.
whereupon a controversy the parlia-
mentary situation. Mr. Catchings coneadns that 1t
was no, necessary under the rules to decide at once
the question Of reconsidering the vote that could
come up at any time within two days.
Messrs. Reed. Grosvenor QeD, Ohio. and Bou-
te,le contended that Mr. Lacsy's motion was priv
ieged, against any other motion or business
Mr.. Springer said the House, or the Speaker at
least. should first know the purpose Of Mr. Catch
ingss resolution. The Speaker pro tenn took thls
view of the case. 1t was found to be resolution
revoxing leave Of and directing the Sergeant
alarms TO notify absent members by telegraph that
their presence is desired. Mr.. BOutee and Nj.
F6ed made the point that IT was not In order
Mr. Catchings defended the standing of the resoin-
ton.
The validity of the resolution attacked by
Mr.. Reed who said it did not come within the
powers Of less than a quorum as expressed in the
rules and authorized by the Constitution The ma
ought to be abe to transact the business Of the
House within the rules without yoang bn every Srn
Ing the House Of Representatives into court OF
So only oi ha te Of %Ss @ IS to justice
OF the peace I'm the little State OF Maine. , -.
applause from the Republicans by declaring that
he believed the counting Of a quorum was the proper
business proposition. and he had always been a
business man. But he objected TO the method OF
enforcing the good rule which the gentleman from
Maine practised when Speaker. He was the cruciher
OF the n rue ana ne ' sa n by tb gencm4n from
Maine. because he had so executed IT as 20 MAKE
in parliamentary body in libertylo country.
Ex-speaker Grow (Repp PENN SAID; .uAo. J.,
the nature Of parliamentary inquiry. II under
stand the proceedings here. the Committee on Rules
sought 10 be secured without a quorum answering
and s9 penaes on acts which aVe no moral iufpade
connected with them. That being the proposition
at at ali. think ii should be made broader and that
we should have fines and penalties mpcsea o on az men e
those who fail 10 answer TO their names. Q-augnler
and applause) But Mr.. Speaker. II does not strike
me that II belongs 10 a legislative body 10 attempt
by fines and penalties compel Its members 10
comply with It's rules The majority have IL In
their power neutraliZe the effect OF our silence,
and that is all they are entitled to- Count the men
who sit In their seats and do not vote. and there
Is your quorum. It needs no penalties. i needs no
ouarter-sessons proceedings to try members OF the
House, no making the sergsant-at- Arms a constable
have fines at all for violations OF the rule then !
hold that every violation of rule OF the House
should be punished By fine or deduction from the
compensation provided by law for members OF this
House" -
Finally the Speaker pro tenn ruled that Mr..
Catchinsss motion was in order. and Mr.. Lacey
Appealed Mr. Catchings moved to lay the appeal
on the table pending which Mr.. Plckler lRep. s.
Do moved that the HOUSE adjourn Lost-Yeas. y;
nays, 1853.
Mr. Catchngs's motion 10 lay on the table the ap-
peal by Mr.. Lacey from the decision OF the Chair
received IA affirmative votes and 20 in the negative
So the appeal laid on the table.
Mr.. Catchngs moved the previous question on his