The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-13
The House Will Amend Its Rules
10 Prevent Republican
Fillbustering.
A Fine OF $40 to Be Assessed
on Membsrs Refusing
TO Vote.
Rule Made Necessary by the DetsrminA.
OF the Republicans 40 Block
Further business.

WAsHfSoToN, April I2.--The democratic
managers In the house to-day decided 10
take heroic measures 10 force the republi-
ssns 10 participate in the proceedings. The
committee ou rules held a meeting just be-
foio the house convened to formulate rule
30 crush filibustsrinR. making failure 10
vote punishable By a hne. The Republicans
Determined 10 contest every inch Of ground.
and herce parliamentary fight was imme-
diately prscpitstsd. Speaker Crisp. how
ever swept aside all prsliminariss and
forced the fRht on the main issue. As soon
ns the journal had been read the speaker
recognized Mr.. CatchinRs. from the com
mittee on rules. to present a report. Bur
rows snd Reed attempted 10 delay matters.
raising points Of order, and no quorum. but
the speaker averted his head and refused 10
reeORnizs them.
The report submitted by tue COMMITTEES
on rules was 10 amend the rules TO the sf
feet that every member should be in the
hall Of the house durinR the sittings unless
excused or necessarily prevented. and shall
vote on each question unless he has direct
personal or pecuniary interest in such ques-
tions. Failure to comply with the rule 10
Reed attempted to get the floor. but the
speaker would not hear him, and the vote
on the previous question was ordered. Il
resulted ninety nine to nothing. Burrows
demanded the ayes and nays on the point
OF no quorEm. The republicans refused 70
vote. as did eleven democrats. The popu-
lists voted with the democrats. The vote
stood 14l 90 eleven, seventeen short of a
quorum.
motion 70 excuse Mr.. Hull Was lost
ei0htT-four TO 105. Mr.. CstchinRs was 60
ornized 10 offer a resolution. but when II
was read Mr. Lacey claimed the floor to
move reconsideration OF the vote juat
taken. Mr.. Reed contended that the mo-
tion 20 reconsider. under the rules. took
precedcnee Of all motions. Mr.. Riobard-
son. who was in the chair. directed the
clerk 90 read the resolution, which proved
to be . resolution revoking all leaves of alb
ssncs except on account Of sickness. and
directing the seFgeant-at-aTns to request
the attendauce of some absentess by tels-
graph. Both NJ. Reed and Mr.. Bauteiie
jumped 10 their feet when the reading OF
the resolution was completed and made the
point OF ordsT that il did not take VTece-
denoe over the motion to reconsider.
Mir. Catchings argued that the adoption
Of the resolution Would terminate further
nTDcoeuluEh uuQeT tuo CALL anu uuhttbefe-
fore take preceasnos OF motion 10 recon
slider a vote. which was = part of auoh pro-
cesdings. Debate over the oint OF order
continued for over an hour. the giants on
both sides crossing swords. Al the conelu-
sion OF the debate Air. Risnardson, vi no was
Ia the chair. said this previous motion hav-
ing heen ma ade in the form OF Dir. Catch
inRH' resolution, the latter took prtoedsnce.
but would not D event tho disposal OF the
motion 20 reconsider at a subsequent pc
rioi. He therefore sustained Io!nt OF or
der
Then there followed q series OF dilatory
motions. bat hnslly vote was taken on
tie demaad of tke previous question on
the resolution TO revoke leaves OF Absen ce
and send kilograms to absentees, and 10 was
ordsied, liz 20 thirty-eight. Mt. Rsed
made she point Of no quorum. he chair
o,errnled the point OF order. Mr.. Bou-
tslle moved to Rdjouin. Lost. Tbs reso-
luton was the" agreed 10 and Al 6.3O the
house Adjour
Ar Pend 4. Of Texas. has introd uoed
in this hous. a proposed ams n msnt 10 the
rules providing for a count Of emoers
present and not voting when roll call has
developed the absence OF voting quotum.
The rule Is TO be surrounded with the
necessary safeguards to prevent counting
members Who from accident OF intention
are not present when a question il put. OF
at some tins during pending roll call.
The rule is NOT applicable 20 motions that
may bs determined by a vote lee than q
rwuruuu