The morning call., 1894-02-17
FOES TO SILVER.
Everything Their Way in.
Congress.
MR.. BLAND HAS NO QUORUM.
An Attempt to Force the Hand
of His Foes
MET WITH VERY FLAT FAILURE.
He Can Do Nothing Until Steps Are
Taken to Bring Back
....: Absentees.
MET WITH VERY FLAT FAILURE.

- WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-Bland to-day
began his coercve tactics 10 compel vote
on the silver seigniorage bill. The bulk of
the Republicans, aided by Democratic op-
ponents of the measure, inaugurated a
filibuster with the intention of forcing him
to produce quorum of the advocates OF
the bill TO pass it. and the entire day was
consumed in rOllcall.
After the reading of the minutes Cum
mings, chairman of the Committee on
Naval Affairs, presented asia question Of
privilege the report of his committee on
Boutelle's resolution calling upon the
Secretary of the Navy to inform the House
by what authority instructions were issued
in placing the armed naval forces of the
United States and the use of its ensign
under the control of James 81. Blount;
also. TO furnish to the House copies of all
orders. directions, instructions or official
suggestions issued by him since March 4.
1898, concerning the movement of the
naval forces at Hawaii. He explained
that the committee recommended the pas
sage Of the resolution amended so as to
call for all orders from March 4, 1892, in
stead OF 1893. He yielded q moment to
Boutelle, who urged the importance of the
resolution, which he said had already been
delayed six weeks. The information called
for by it, be thought, should have been
before the House when the Hawaiian
resolution was being debated. The Ieso-
luton was adopted without division.
Bland then moved 10 go into committee
of the whole On his seigniorage bill, and,
pending that, that the debate on it close at
p. NJ, ana moved the previous question
thereon. He was appealed to to allow
more time for debate, but remained obdu-
rate, declaring the opponents of the bill
had already fiiibustered away two days,
and he understood they intended to OBJ
struct the bill st every stage.
The highest number Bland was able to
poll was 163 in favor of the demand for
the previous question on his motion to
close debate. OF these 145 were Demo-
Gratis, Populists and Republicans. Page
of Rhode Island and Ryan of New York
refused TO JOIN the fiibusters. but voted
against the motion. The Republicans who
voted with Bland. were: Bowers of Cali
fornia, Broderlck, Dooliitle. Funston,
Marsh, Hermann, Pot and Sweet.
. At o'clock Bland abandoned all further
attempts to secure quorum, and after
passing a resolution Instructing the
sergean t-at-arms TO telegraph for ab-
sentees a recess was taken until o'clock,
the evening session being devoted to the
consideration of private pension bills.
Bland expresses the opinion that he will
have quorum present tomorrow, but the
general impression is that he will not be
able to secure quorum until Monday.
Tonight was the first evening session of
this Congress for the consideration of
pension bills, and Kilgore blocked all pro-
eeedings. Martin, chairman of the Com
mittee on Invalid Pensions. announced
that there were but thirty-four bills on the
calendar. and he moved to 60 into COM
mittee of the whole.
Kilgore promptly demanded division,
which developed the presence of but
twenty-five members, and Klgore made
the point of no quorum. Many apreals
were made to Kilgors by Clark. Richard
son, Marsh and others, but he was 0bdu-
rate. A good deal of good-natured chaff-
ing followed, and Kigore finally agreed
that if there was respectable attendance
next Friday night he would be willing to
make some concessions for the benefit of
deserving pensioners.
The roll was then called to determine
officially who was present. Forty-four
members responded to their names. and
upon the announcement of the result at
$50 the House adjourned.