Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-01-06
POPULIST FORCE FELT.
They Held the Balance of Power
 Tn the House.
DEMOCRATS STILL LACK AQUoRUM.
The Caucus of Democrats Dissatisfied With the Wilson Tariff Bill Passed Resolu- tion to Push on the Debate-Crisp Lee tured the Delinquents.

the Wilson Tariff Bill Passed Resolu-
 tured the Delinquents.
 WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-The strong arm of the committee on rules was invoked in the house to break down the obstruction in the path of the tariff debate. An ironclad order was brought in setting out the pro- gramme for the tariff debate and fixing Jan. 25 as the day for taking the final vote.
 This resulted only in sidetracking Mir. Boutelle and his Hawaiian resolution, as when the vote came to be taken on the adoption of the order the Democrats lacked nine votes of quorum. At least 20 Dem ocrats at the capitol either absented them selves from the hall or refused to answer to their names when called.
 For four hours the Democratic leaders tried with roll call after roll call to bring their men into line, but instead of gaining they lost votes on each successive roll call. The Populists, with the exception of Mir. Bell of Colorado, also declined to aid the Democrats to get the tariff bill before the house, giving as the reason for their action the short limit it was proposed to set on the debate Their votes would have made quorum. The proceedings are therefore of additional importance as marking the first time in the history of either branch of congress since the organization of the third party that it's members have held the balance of power
 Finally, it having become manifest that Democratic quorum could not be secured, General Catchings moved an adjournment, which was taken amid the cheers of the Republicans
 The PopuIists Recognized.
 Speaker Crisp and @ number of the Dem ocratic leaders determined during the fight in the house. when it became evident that the Populist votes would be sufficient to make a quorum, to give the third party recognition as party during the progress of debate if it's members would agree to vote. A proposition was formally submit ted to Representative Jerry Simpson of Kansas that the Populists should have three hours during the afternoon and two hours during the evening for debate as long as the general tariff discussion lasted.
 MT. Simpson conferred with his asso- ciates, and they were greatly pleased that for the first time in the history of their or ganiZation they had received tender of , actual recognition as a party on the floor of congress. It was decided, however, not to accept the proposition, as the Populists believed that the five days allowed under the rule for general debate was entirely insufficient for full presentation of the tariff question.
 Representative Burrows outlined the par liamentary attitude of the Republican side in the opposition to progress on the tariff bill. "It is the first positive step in oppo- sition to the Wilson bill," said he. No exact plan of opposition has been deter mined on so far as the Republicans are con cerned, as the lines of opposition will have to be shaped to each forward movement of the friends of the bill as it deyelODs For the present the failure to vote is protest against the unjust rule which the major ity seek to pass by which general debate is limited to five days. This rule, if passed will limit the general debate on this great measure, involving vast economic princi pies and industrial interests, to three days of next week. We protest at this juncture, and we will continue D protest at each successive stage of the contest