The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-14
THE SPECIAL ORDER.
Lively Debate Over Its AdOptiOn-An
Ex-HOOsier Makes a Hit.

Lively Debate Over Its AdOptfOn-An
Ex-HoOsier Makes a Hit.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13.-When the eau
Gus adjourned to-day the House conferees
went into session to discuss the special or
der for the disposition of the tariff bill. The
rules committee also met, but was COM
PEELED to await the appearance of Mr..
Outhwaite The latter left Cresson Springs
last night, but was delayed by a freight
train wreck and did not reach the Capitol
till 2 o'clock. The committee had only a
short session. The Republicans listened to
the terms proposed by the Democratic
members and refused TO accept them.
When the House met five minutes after
the caucus adjourned there were more
members on the floor than at any time
since the tariff bill was passed. The anxious
public, which thronged the corridors be-
fore the doors were thrown open, crowded
into the galleries in anticipation of the
final scene in the long tariff battle. The
greatest confusion existed on the floor.
Members were standing about in excited
groups discussing the situation, the general
understanding being that resolutions to
agree to the Senate amendments and prob
ably to consider the bills for free coal,
iron, sugar and barbed wire would be
brought in this afternoon. Under the rules
Mr.. Heard, chairman of the committee on
the District of Columbia, pending action by
the rules committee claimed the day for
consideration of business reported from the
committee on the District of Columbia.
THE RULE READ.
For almost two hours the committee on
rules awaited the coming of Mr.. Outh-
waite His appearance at 2 o'clock caused
a furry on the floor. At 2:20 the meeting
of the committee on rules ended and Mr..
Catchings Immediately entered the hall with
the special order in his hand. Mr. Heard
yielded to him and Mr.. Catchings presented
the rule. 1t follows:
Resolved That after the adoption of
this resolution it shall be in order in the
House to move that the order heretofore
made requesting a conference with the SEN
ate on the disagreeing votes of the two
houses on Fl. r. 1864 be rescinded; that the
conferees heretofore appointed on the part
of the House be discharged from further
duty in that behalf; that the House recede
from its disagreement to the Senate
amendments to said bill in gross and agree
to the same and that after two hours de-
bate on said motion, which shall be indivis-
ibe, the vote shall be taken without delay
or other motion.
Resolved, That at any time after the
adoption of this resolution it shall be i'm or
der to present for consideration. without
reference to a committee separate bills
placing upon the free list sugar in all its
forms coal iron ore and barbed wire
Each of said bills when presented shall be
allowed fifteen minutes debate. and at the
end of such debate the previous question
shall be considered as ordered thereon, and
without delay or other motion the vote
shall be taken''
During the reading of the resolution there
were jeers on the Republican side, Mr..
that portion of the rule relative to free
coal, etc. was read Mr. Catchings de-
manded the previous question but Mr..
Reed arose to a point of order and the
battle was on.
REED MAKES A POINT OF ORDER.
Mr.. Reeds point of order was that the
tariff bill was not in possession of the
House. and that, therefore, the action pro-
posed in the report could not be taken
He maintained that in case Of agreement
OF conferees on 4 bill either house could
act on a report but in case Of a disagree
ment the bill went back to the body first
requesting the conference. The bill could
not be in possession OF both ouses at the
same time; neither could either house act
except on papers before ii. The papers
could not be in possession of both houses
at the same time. IL was a parliamentary
as well as a physical fact that the papers
could only be in one place at a time. 9th
erwise, both the Senate and the House
could recede at the same time. What bill
would then be law? Ii would certainly
puzzle those who are not in the habit OF
cutting Gordian knots. At the present
time, he said, getting down to the exist
ing. situation, the Senate was proposing
action and the House was proposing action
at the same time The House had now re-
pented OF the BILL Mr.. Reed said and the
Senate had repented of its bill Both We're
ashamed OF their offspring. Republican
applause) Yet the House was now propos-
ing TO grab the Senate bill before 1t could
be repudiated by that body and swallow its
nauseous meal. Such spectacle. ne de-
clared, had never before been witnessed.
Mr.. Reed sarcastically referred To Mr..
Bum, who attempted TO interrupt him, as
a man who had been late in getting on the
roll of honor but was now in hurry
TO get on the roll OF dishonor. Il do not
expect much argument 10 have any effect"
said Mr. Reed, in conclusion. addressing
the Democratic side. "but you are like the