The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-06
STILL WITHOUT A QUORUM.
Democratic and POpuIists
Refuse 10 Vote I'm the House.

Refuse tn Vote I'm the House.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 5.-The power of
the ommitte on rules was invoked
to-day to break down the obstruction
in the path of the tariff debate. An iron
clad order was brought in setting out the
programme for the tariff debate and fixing
Jan. p as the day for taking the final vote.
This resulted only in sidetracking Mr..
Boutelle and his Hawaiian resolution. for
when the vote came TO be taken on the
adoption of the order the Democrats lacked
nine votes of a quorum. At least twenty
Democrats at the Capitol either absented
themselves from the hall or refused to an
swer TO their names when called. For
four hours the Democratic leaders tried,
with roll cali 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 Mr.. Bell.
Of Colorado. also declined TO aid the Demo-
Gratis to get the tariff bill before the House.
giving as the reason for their action the
short time that was proposed to be given
for debate. Their votes would have made
up a quorum. To-day's proceedings are.
therefore, OF additional Importance, as
marking the first time In the history Of
either branch OF Congress since the organi-
zation OF the third party, that its members
have held the balance of power.
lIilHlculdlciy dIIer the redQlnR OF the
Journal the row began. Mr.. Boutelle was
on his feet clamOring for recognition, TO
call up his Hawaiian resolution. but the
Speaker recognized Mr.. Catcnings, from the
committee on rules, TO present a special
order adopted just before the House con-
y,ened. Mr.; boutelle loudly insisted upon
knowing what had become of his privileged
resolution, which had been called up yester-
day. The Speaker replied. rather sharply,
with the adjournment and that the report
called up from the on rules was
a matter OF the highest privilege.
Mr.. Burrows. amid great confusion, re-
served all points of order and when Mr..
Catchings demanded the previous question
on the report from the rules committee, Mr..
ton. The Speaker decided that Mr.. Bou-
telle was out of order. The latter appealed
from the decision of the chair and the
Speaker, amid some evidences of satisfac-
ton on the Democratic side, promptly re-
fused to entertain the appeal. The Speak
er was about to state the question on Mr..
Catchings's demand for the previous ques-
ton. when Mr.. Burrows called attention to-
the fact that he had reserved all points
OF order, and desired to be heard. Speaker
made the point of order that the special
order presented by Mr.. Catchings had
originated in the committee instead of the
House As IT carried with it a change of
existing rules giving leave to print to all
members who so desired), ii should, accord
ing TO existing rules, have had it's incep-
ton In the House, instead Of the committee.
After some debate and discussion of pre-
0ChIS 1hS opSdhCI ONStI lHt pOlll
of order.
The vote was then taken on the demand
for the previous question on the adoption
OF the report OF the committee on rules.
The Republicans declined to vote, and sew
eral Democrats who were in the hall, and
who are known TO be opposed to the tariff
bill, also remained mute. Among them
were MesSrs: Sperry of Connecticut, Haines
of New York, Robertson of Louisiana and
Ryan of New York. The vote resulted 169
to /, nine less than a quorum.
As soon as the announcement that no
quorum had voted had been announced by
the Speaker, on motion by Mr.. Catchings,
q call of the House was ordered. The call
developed the presence of 23 members. The
motion then required on the demand for the
previous question on the adoption of the
special order. The Republicans sat silent.
and the small coterie OF Democrats, led by
MIR; sPerry; declined to aid their Demo
quorum. Mr.. Sperry, in fact, actively
busted himself in raising the standard of re-
volt, going so far as to ask Democratic
members to refrain from voting. Mr.. Cad
mus. Of New Jersey, was an additional DEM
ocrat who declined to vote on this roll call.
The vote resulted 169 to O. Instead of gain
lng the Democrats lost on this roll call,
lacking eleven of a quorum.
Mr.. Outhwaite moved a call of the House.
MIR; Reed demanded a division, and the
call was ordered-104 to 81. The call de-
yeloped the presence of 29 members.
Further proceedings under the call were
taken on the demand for the previous
question. On this roll Messrs. Coombs and
oiChIeo, VI NC" 1Oh' ueCiufeu W answer
to their names and, although MeSsrS.
Breckenridge and Berry, of Kentucky, who
had just arrived, voted, only 16S votes were
cast, a loss OF one since the last vote. The
Democratic leaders decided to continue,
however, If for no other purpose than to
impress upon absentees the necessity OF
attendance as a measure of party discipline.
Accordingly, on motion of Mr.. Catchings,
another call Of the House was had. 1t de-
veloped the presence of 21 members, and
again the roll was called on the motion to
order the previous question. MeSsrs. En-
glish, of New Jersey, and Sibley, OF Penn
sylvania, refused to answer to their names
on this vote, which resulted 166 to 0, a loss
OF 2 compared with the last vote. 1t hay-
ing become manifest that a Democratic
quorum could not be secured to-day, Gen.