The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-07
WILL RESORT TO LAW.
Democrats Decide to Cause the Ar.
rest OF the Secretary of State.
Many Other Important Suggestions
Were Made at the Secret Caucus OF
the House Yesterday.

At the close OF the regular session OF
the House of Representatives yesterday
the Democratic members took possession
of the chamber and for more than three
hours they discussed the present situation
of affairs behind licked doors. DIR. Garvin
presided and during the long caucus the
members, whose mouths are closed during
the regular meetings OF the House by the
order of the bosses, were given ample
opportunity to air their eloquence. In
fact ii is understood that some such ar
rangement as this will be made during the
entire session. IL is not at all
probable that men who have fought so
hard for their seats in the legislative hall
OF their State will be willing TO bottle
their eloquence and restrain the immortal
ideas that have gained possession of their
souls. The party bosses who understand
this fact and who dare not allow the men
TO make their appearance on the floor,
have decided to establish the caucus sys-
TEN as a safety valve for the party. During
the remainder of the session, therefore,
every measure will be considered in a
secret caucus before it il brought before
the lower body of the Legislature. In this
way the party will be able TO hold itself
together on partisan measures.
As soon as the caucus was called to order
yesterday Representative Mumford intro
daced resolution to rescind he vote by
which il was decided to limit the transac-
tion OF business to measures OF certain
character. This resulted in long dis
cussion. Representatives Honey, Owens,
West, Mulholland, Mccarthy, Mumford,
Brown, Greene and others spoke long
and eloquently in defense of
their respective positions. Few of them
had changed their minds upon this mat
ter and during the bursts OF oratory the
members sat back in their chairs and en-
joyod themselves thoroughly. When the
matter was brought 20 vote, however,
the resolution was laid unon the table,
thus leaving the house in the position in
which it has stood since The last caucus.
AS soon as this matter was disposed Of
Ambrose j. West presented the following
resolution:
Resolution, Inviting His Excelicncy the Cover
nor and the Honorable Senate 20 meet the House
cs Representatives in tho Senate Chamber forth.
With for the purpose OF counting the votes cast at
the late general election, April o, 1895, and of in
Gucting into Office those persons elected at said
general election and for the election % other
officers.
Resolved. That the House of Representatives
hereby invite Ills Exccnency the Governor and
Tn. Honorable senate 10 meet said House in grand
committee In the Senate Chamber this day forth.
with for the purpose % counting the ballots cast
for general officers at the late State Election held
wednesday. April 9Th, 1893, and Of induoting into
their respective Offices such persons rs are found
a. be cotcd thereto and FOR the purpose of clecng
other officers.
Mr.. West then explained the object OF
the resolution. IL the Senate persisted i'm
fits refusal 10 come TO the House, the only
thing that remained for the lower body
was TO saunter up stairs and take poses
sion OF the upper chamber. 1t was quite
plain that the Senate was not anxious to
accept the invitation of the House, but
there certainly could be no objection IL
the House invited itself 20 drop in upon
the Senate TO transact such important
business as the election OF State officers.
lie, therefore, asked for permission to pre-
sent his resolution.
After the ripple OF excitement that had
been caused by the speech had subsidized
the discussion was commenced and dur
ing the next hour score OF the members
enjoyed themselves by mfl-ing few re-
marks. The trend Of The speeches, how