The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-07
POLICY OF DELAY.
Minority in the Senate Pursue
Dilatory Tactics.
No Quorum Present When the
Session Opened.
TARIFF BILL UNREAD.
A Lively Tilt Between O'Neill
and Morgan.

WASHINGTON. April THE policy
of delay of the minority in the senate
was made manifest yesterday, when
before the conclusion of Thursdays
journal, Mr.. Chandler Republican,
made the point of no quorum, and
the roll was called, showing four SEN
ators less than a quorum were present
After a delay of fifteen minutes four
senators dropped in to complete the
quorum, and the reading of the jour
nal was concluded, and the routine
business was proceeded with
Among the petitions presented was
one from the millers of st. Louis,
which was presented by both the Mis-
souri, senators, praying for rete ntion
of the reciprocity clause of the Me-
Kinley law
An interesting test of strength was
developed by Senator H1ls motion
that when the senate adjourned It
should be until Monday. The Repub-
licans jumped at the idea and Sec
onded the motion and even Senator
Harris request that the motion be
withdrawn, had no effect, SO he de-
manded the yea and nay vote, in
which demand he was seconded by
Senator Vest
As the call progressed it became
very evident the vote would be close,
and when 1t was announced, 25 to 90,
sigh of relief escaped from the Dem
ocrats- The vote was, with very few
1icans voting for the motion and SEN
ators Hill and Murphy of New York
and Irby of South Carolina voted with
them, and Senator Brice of Ohio was
paired in favor of the motion
OF the Populists, Stewart voted
with the Republicans and Messrs,
Allen, Kyle and PETER with the Demo-
Gratis. The resolution introduced some
time ago by Senator Wolcort, looking
to drafting a treaty with Mexico by
which the United States should coin
silver dollars at the mint. was laid
before the senate and Mr. Teller said,
after he had made a few remarks, he
would ask to have it lie over until
Monday, as Senator WOlcott was
absent.
Mr.. Teller then briefly addressed
the senate in favor of the resolution
Senator Lodge, Mass, delivered a
ringing speech in support of the reso-
luton, urging its passage because the
experiment was worth trying while it
could do no harm
Senator Dubois of Idaho, followed
in support of the resolution.
The hour of ? o'clock having arrived
the resolution went over without
action, and the tariff bill was laid
before the senate. There was a very
slim attendance of senators on the
floor when Mr.. PETER arose to speak
on the tariff question, and this num-
Der dwindled by degrees until 2:5O
there was only a corporals guard
present Senator PETER had pro-
ceeded for two hours, when Senator
Gallinger suggested that he be al
lowed to suspend his remarks, and
conclude at the next meeting of the
senate.
Senator PETER asSented to this, but
asserted that he was not speaking
against time, and did not desire to
have his speech drifting along over
two or three weeks
Mr.. Morgan moved that the senate
proceed to the consideration of execu-
tive business. At the request of Sem
ator Harris he subsequently withdrew
the motion and Mr.. Harris, stating
that the tariff bill had never been
read in full, and that the senate had
refused to dispense with its formal
reading, asked that it be then read,
hoping thus to fill the interim, when
Mr. PETER would be ready to proceed.
The Republicans thereupon began di-
latory tatics. Mr.. Aldrich moving that
the senate go into executive session,
and Mr.. Harris demanded the ayes
and nays, which showed the absence
of a quorum Mr.. Aldrich's motion
being voted down there was a roll
call, which disclosed the presence of a
quorum At ABS p. m, on motion of
Mr. Harris, the senate adjourned
until IL o'clock to-day.