New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-17
HE STILL WANTS A QUORUM,
MR.. BLAND HAS A HARD TINE OF 1T
WITH HIS BILL
ALTHOUGH OVER go MEMBERS WERE IN AT
OBTAINED FOR THE PROPOSED IN
FLATIoN ACT-THE MISSOURI
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrxEl
STATESMAN OBSTINATE.

washington, rep. Jb.-Mr. Bldnu sun wants d
qporum-that is to say a voting quorum. He
wasted four hours to-day in vain attempts to OBJ
tain such a quorum-attempts that were vain
because he would not listen to reason. He
knew that there were at least twenty members
who had devoted a great deal of time to the
subject who desired to speak for or against
the pending bill. but he would not consent 10
any extension Of the time for debate beyond 4
o'clock this afternoon, unless the opponents of
the measure would put themselves under bonds
in order to obtain the privilege OF debate. as
Mr.. Reed tersely and truthfuy expressed 1t.
Mr.. BANDS demand was that In return for the
privilege of taking part in the debate they should
promise to throw no parliamentary obstacle
in the way of the passage Of his silver iniia-
ton bill
1t was an impudent and insOent demand, but
the Missouri statesman insisted upon it, and
! ninety-eight other Populist Democrats supported
him. That vote was just eighty short of a
Quorum but there more than 179 members
in and about the Representatives. chamber.
When at O'Clock recess was taken, more than
200 members had just answered to their names
on a call OF the House. and. as Mr. Reed quietly
suggested If the Speaker would count a quorum
Mr. BANDS motion would easily and speedily be
carried
Not all the members who refraned from
voting to-day were Republicans by any means
in fact the fbustering was led, so Far as
It was led at all, by Mr.. Tracey. of New-Iork.
The advocates of the bill did not appear to sup
port Mr. Bland with any great degree OF en-
thusiasm 1t does not now seem probable that
consideration of the bill will be resumed be-
fore Monday
Mr. Bland was asked. in the course of call
of the House. how long he expected to keep up
Saip ga
bill.
Until quorum appears and answers 10 their
names on rocall," he replied.
1--WE no doubt you'll get your quorum said
Mr. Tracey. may be. to-day"
inquiry of Colonel HILL the Democratic whip.
disclosed the fact that less than thirty Demo-
cratic members out Of the city, and ten
Of these were on their way home
Mr.. Bland started the fight by endeavoring TO
secure unanimous consent for dispensing with
the cali Of the committees. but Mr.. Reed Ckep'
Mel. objected and the list was called. No re-
ports were made. however.
Mr. Bland moved that the House go into Com
mittee Of the Whole for consideration of the
Seigniorage bill, and that general debate be
closed at o'clock.
Mr. Cannon Rep. I'D asked Mr. Bland II the
debate could not be allowed TO SO on until to-
he asked in good faith for the reason that he
himself desired TO make a few remarks on the
bill. and there We're other gentlemen on his sde
who desired TO be heard.
Mr. Bland said that he had yesterday given
notice of his intention TO move TO close the &C.
bate. and the gentlemen knew that; nj,
Mr. Hopkins Rep.. lid urged Mr. Bland 10
let the debate proceed under present conditions
until Ii became apparent that all who wanted 10
speak had done so. There had been no delay,
ne asserted, the time had all been occupied and
orIoc fha
many gentlemen who had prepared themselves
to speak.
Nlbustering against the bill to prevent its con-
alteration by the committee which might have
been better used in debate IL was apparent.
he said that opponents OF the Dill were anxious
10 take I'D all the time and that ultimately the
House would be compelled to take the step he
proposed. $4,000 .,,,
hard that speakers on the Republican side who
had made just as much preparation as those
on the other side who had spoken should pe cur
off without an opportunity to express them
selves: that the House should have BEFORE II
only the Views of the gentleman from Missouri
Mr. Bland made interruption at this point
which caused Mr. Reed to excaim The
gentleman from Missouri is so accustomed To
Interrupt speakers that he thinks IT is his nor
NAL condition"
Mr.. Bland-Well. it is a habit learned from
the gentleman from Maine.
Mr. Reed-Oh. yes, of course you learned it
from me- l wish you would learn some other
things from me as well.
Mr. Bland insisted on his motion. and on a
division of the House the vote was announced
TO be yeas, SO; nays none.
Mr. Tracey Dem y. " made the point Of
no quorum, and Mr.. Bland demanded the yeas
and nays. The vote resulted Yeas. 141; nays.
8. No quorum.
Mr. Bland asked a call of the House The
call showed 2l2 members present, and further
proceedings under it were dispensed with
The yeas and nays were again called upon Mr..
BANDS motion to close debate at o'clock, and
resulted Yeas. $50; nays 3. call of the House
was again ordered. Two hundred and ffty-six
members responded to their names. and on mo-
ton Of Mr.. Bland proceedings under the call
were suspended and again--the third tme-at
2l0 D. M. the roll called for vote on the
motion 10 close debate al o'clock on the
Seigniorage bill.
The third attempt to rally quorum was also
a failure-yeas. 100. nays l.
The weary routine of call OF the House was |
again entered upon at 2:40 O'clock two and |
half hours having been spent in vain. The pres |