The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-19
ROW over MR.. cleveland
A Proposition to Extend COurteSieS
Causes a Breeze.
FUN IN THE LEGISLATURE
The Resolution to Give the Presidential
Party the Freedom of Both Houses
Meets with Fierce Opposition
from Certain Members.
By the United Press.

By the United Press.
Columbia, S. c., Dec. 1S.-In the house
of representatives Mr.. McGill of Able
vile, today introduced the following
resolution and there was an interest
ing scene:
Whereas, The president of the United
States and his party are now visiting IN
our state, and
Whereas, The general assembly is now in
session and desire to extend to the presi-
dent and gentlemen accompanying him
that courtesy due his exalted character
and official position, be it
Resolved, By the house, the senate con-
curing that an invitation be and hereby
is extended to the president of the United
States and the gentlemen comprising his
party to visit the general assembly now in
session and accept the privileges of the
floor of the two houses,
Mr.. Duncan, of New Berry, reform
or, then said: II hope this matter will
not be disposed of in this way. l am
opposed to extending such courtesy to
a president for whom we justly enter
tain so little respect | therefore move
to table the resolution"
The speaker seemed to hesitate about
putting the motion. He said as the
presiding officer, he doubted the pro-
priety of putting such a motion.
Mr.. Watson, the reform leader, then
took the floor. He said he hoped the
resolution would not be Withdrawn.
The matter, if withdrawn, had gone so
far that 1t would be given full publicity
While they might differ in policy with
the president, Mr.. Cleveland was never
theless the president of the United
States. 81 hope we won't go down on
record as taking such action as this"
Mr.. Tatum, of Orangebur urg, another
leading reformer, took the floor and
tried to help Mr.. Watson control the
house and said they could not afford to
vote this resolution down. Nobody was
more opposed to Mr.. Clevelands policy
than himself, but it was time to stop.
Resolution Adopted.
The speaker than took hand, saying
they were assuming an opposition to
the resolution which did not exist so
far as he had seen. He said he had no.
ticed no opposition. He suggested that
the vote be taken on the adoption of
the resolution. Quickly he put the mo-
tion on viva voce vote. No nays
were heard, and he declared the reso-
luton unanimously adopted"
In the senate DR.. Byrd and one other
senator voted against the resolution,
but there was no discussion nor any
incident
At tonight's session of the house, Mr.
Duncan brought the matter up again
He introduced the following resolution,
which was signed by himself and ]. H.
Blackwell, of Williamsburg. 1t was
sent up to the speaker, who asked Mr..
Duncan what he proposed to do with
the resolution-have it passed and re-
corded in his own behalf, or something
else.
Mr.. Duncan said he wanted it sprel1
on the minutes. The resolution read:
Resolved, That with all due respect for
the office OF president of the United
States and with due Difference to the poll
cies and principles of parties, we wish to
be recorded as ever ready to do honor to
to whom honor is due, but in our opinion,
Grover Cleveland having prostituted the
high Office of president of the United
trayal of the Democratic party and the
repudiation Of Democratic principles, we
record ourselves as opposed to the resolu-
ton passed by the house doing honor to
the great party wrecker in the history of
American politics.
Mr.. Duncan rose to a question of per-
sonal privilege. He quoted a section
from the constitution giving any mem
ber the right to object to anything
adopted by the body and to have his
reasons of his protest recorded in the
journal. 1t was home strike He said
after reading the section that he asked
accordingly that his resolution be
recorded.
The speaker ignored the request and
started to continue the regular work.
Mr.. Duncan-Mr, Speaker, l want
your ruling on my point. l want to
know If this house can openly violate
the constitution.
The Speaker am only the mouth
piece of this body; it has acted.
Mr.. Duncan persisted in the matter,
insisting that the constitution gave him
nights which that body could not take
from him.
The Speaker-That Is your opinion on
the subject of the constitution, and all
/ can say Is that the house has listened
to you with pleasure.
The resolution was promptly tabled.
That ended the controversy.