The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-29
Republican Obstruction Tactics En-
ployed All the Day in
the House.
Thus Responsible for tho Inability
of That Body 20 Do
Business.
Several Important RESOLUTIONS Disposed
OF by the senate-A Free Coinage
Bi1 Introduced.

WAsnINarOS, March 2s.-When the
speakers gavsl fell to-day thsro we're less
than eighty members on the floor. The
house proceeded with some routine busi-
ness, pending the report expected from the
rules committee for disposition OF the con
tested election cases OF ONeil-Joy end
English Hillborn.
Mr. Outhwaite, from the oommiales on
rules. reported the rule limiting dsbats 10
two hous each on the election cases. the
final vots TO then be taken. Mr.. Oath
waite demanded the prsviOus question and
the adoption OF the rule. The vote on or
dofinR the previous question resulted iG4
70 nothing. Mr.. Reed made the point Of
no quorum. The vote resulted l79 yeas
and one nay. one more than a quorum.
The Ppeaker voted in the Affirmative. The
result Wsa greeted With applause. This is
the first time for . week the democrats have
mustered a quorum.
Mr.. Reed criticised the disposition TO
hustle the case through the house without
discussion. lie said the purpose Of the re-
publieans had been 30 call attention to .
great outrage. the house and country being
in the habit Of paying little attention TO
elsotion cases.
Mr.. Outhwaits replied by saying that
more time for discussion OF these cases In
the first place had been offered. He also
reviewed the action OF the Fifty hrst con
gress on election cases, and pointed out the
quick manner in which cases were then dis.
posed Of.
Mr.. Reed moved 20 reoommit the rule
with instructions TO report a rule allowing
further time. The speaker was inclined 20
think this motion should not be enter
tanned. Reed argued the case on oonstitu-
tional grounds. The speaker held that .
motion to reoomnit was equivalent 10 a
proposition to amend. Amendments were
not in order after the previous question had
been ordered. Therefore the motion was
not in order.
On the question of adopting the report
OF the COMMITTEES, Mr.. Outhvaite demanded
the ayes and nays, the republicans again
refraininR from voting. Tue resolution Of
the COMMITTEES on elections declaring John
II. O'Neill entitled 20 the seat for the
Eleventh district OF Missouri, was read by
Mr.. Patterson. Of Tennessee, recogn 'zsd on
the side OF the majority, and Mr.. Daniel.
OF New York. on the eide Of the minority
Mr.. Bartholdt. republican from Missouri,
contended that the republican vote OF Mis-
souri, amounted TO 50 per cent OF the demo.
cratic vote and a RerrymandeT had enabled
them 90 secure a representation OF only 10
psr cent OF the democratic vote. Now IL
was proposed 10 cut this down one half.
The election machinery was all in the
hands OF the democrats.
Mr.. Joy, republican, Of Missouri. whose
seat was the question OF issue. argued that
q recount OF ballots had built up bis ma
iohty. The grounds Of contest, he claimed,
10 finally made, we're not valid In tho notice
OF contest served upon him, as required by
law.
The vote then REQUIRED on the substitute
for the report OF the majority OF the com
mittee. presented bv the minority, declaring
Joy entitled TO his seat The substitute
was rejected. l46 10 l02. The republicans
then precipitAted another hlibuster by
making the point Of no quorum. On divi-
sion roll call was taken. the republicans
not voting. The vote wac. yeas 1877, nays
eight. The house then adjourned.
In she senate, Petiigrew. OF south Da-
kota. introduced two resolutions. which
were agreed TO. one calling on the secretary
Of the treasury for information regarding
changes made In ths weight or hnoness of
the silver coins Of silver standard eoun-
tries. and the other calling on tue secretary
OF the interior Rs 60 information whether
the sugar tehnefies have complied with all
the provisions of the law in regard 20 the
taking Of the census.
A resolution. introduced by Senator FRYE.
and agreed 90. asks the secretary OF Wal
whether subordinate emp! oyss and laborsrs
engaged by engineer officers on works Of
publie improvement have been emploTed or
discharged for political reasons. Mr..
PETER, of kanas, offered . resolution direct
ing the finance COMMITTEES TO prepare = bill
for the repeal OF all laws authorizing the
secretary 10 issue bonds or other interest
bearing obligations without the specific
authority OF congress. Temporarily laid
on tie table.
A resolution. offered several days ago.
directing the committee on judiciary 10
inquire whsther existing statutes are suffi-
oient 20 punish the stimulation OF silver
coins by coins Of like metal. weight and
hneness, was laid before the senate by the
vice president and after short discussion
agreed 30.