The herald., 1894-02-21
HOUSE DEADLOCK UNBROKEN.
The Seigniorage Bill Still
Hangs Fire.
Bland Unable to Secure a Quorum
to Vote Upon 1t.
Fivs Republican Members Brought to
the Bar of the House-H0use
and Senate Proceedings.
Washington Notes.


|
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20. The deadlock
on the Bland seigniorags bill was moi
broken in the house today. Roll call
followed roll call until 4 O'Clock, when
it being apparent that Bland could not
muster q quorum on the proposition, be
moved to adjourn.
At the opening Of the house this
morning the sergeant at-srms reported
that he had cent 81 kilograms to alb
sent members, and received l5 replies,
five that they were sick, and ten that
they were on their way to Washington.
He had arrested Apsley, Gardner, Hill
born, Post. Randall, Lucas and Marvin,
all Republicans. Apsley and Post were
excused when it was shown that they
voted at the last session.
The five members in custody who had
not been excused were brought to the
bar of the house. Like schoolboys they
were ordered by the speaker to give ex-
cuses for being absent from the house
without leave. The members crowded
about the area where the offending
members were ranged in a row and en-
joyed the situation immensely.
Burrows wanted to know if there was
anything in the ordere to the sergeant
alarms restricting the arrest of MEM
bers to Republicans.
The speaker replied, spontaneously,
there was not.
Rising to an alleged parliamentary in
quiry, Grosvenor asked whether war
rants had been issued for the arrest OF
those Democrats who refused to attend
the Democratic caucus last night.
II hardly think that ia parliament
airy inquiry" replied the speaker.
This was the last incident growing out
of the arrest Of absentees. The mem
bers laughingly resumed their seats,
and after the call of committees for re-
ports, Bland returned to the siege which
he has been directing for the past week.
He moved that the debate on the seig.
niorags bill be closed, and upon the mo-
ton demanded the previous question.
The Republicans and eastern Democrats
repeated their fillibustering tactics and
succeeded in breaking the quorum. A
call developed the presence OF 294 mem
bers, and the vote required on BANDS
demand for the previous question. This
vote resulted ISL to 5-23 short of a
quorum and nine less than the preced-
ing vote. Another call followed, 269
members responding.
Bland made q statement to the effect
that it was evident quorum could not
be obtained IS long as committees had
leave to sit during the sessions of the
house, and he offered resolution re.
voking the leaves OF all committees to
sit during sessions OF the house, except
the committee on appropriations.
Reed made the point of order against
house on previous occasions could MOI
be revoked pending proceedings under
call.
A lively skirmish occurred over the
point of order, in which Springer, Reed
MeCreary and Bynum participated
Eventually Bland poured oil on the
troubled waters by withdrawing his
resolution, at the same time stating
that unless the members of the COM
mittees included attended the session!
of the house he would again offer ano
press his resolution.
The vote then again required or
BANDS demand for the previous ques-
ton. The vote resulted 165 to 8, within
nine votes of quorum.
On another call quorum re-appeared
only to disappear again on the next rol
call. When the announcement wa
made Bland stated that 40 it was eviden
q quorum could not be secured tonigh
he moved an adjournment. Accordingl,
at 4 10 the house adjourned.