The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-04-13

WASHINGTON, April l2.-When the
journal of the House mad been read and
approved, Catchings presented resolu-
tion from the committee on rules. Be
fore it was read Burrows suggested that
no quorum was present and objected to
tho reception of the resolution. A ool-
loquy ensued with the Speaker, in which
:he latter ruled that tho question Of a
quorum could not DO raised in that way
after the journal had been read.
By the reading OF the journal, the
Speaker pres umed the presence of a
quorum, and the facs that ono was not
present could be determined only by
the intervention of question upon
which vote could be had.
Burrows then moved q call of the
House, but the Speaker declined to
recognize him for this purpose, thus
taking Catchings off the floor. Bur-
rows asked an appeal, supported by
Reed, but this was not enter tanned, and
the reading of the resolution reported
by Catchings was ordered.
The resolution was ono adopted by
the committee on rules this morning to
fine members who are absent without
leave, or who, being present, fail or re =
fuse to vote.
While the clerk was reading Reed en-
deavored 10 make the point that the
resolution was not in order the House
being in the act of dividing on the vote
to discharge the order of arrest, which
was interrupted yesterday by adjourn
ment because of the Jack OF quorum
But he was not permitted to do so then
nor later before Catchings moved the
previous question on his resolution.
Reed insisted upon being recognized by
the chair TO make point of order. and
the Speaker declined to make tho recog
milton in terms TO suit tho gentleman
from Maine.
The reading CT the resolution was re-.
ceivod with laughter and applause by
the Republicans, and while the yeas
and nays were being called it was dis
cussed with much interest by knots of
members about the clerks desk. The
roll call was interrupted to receive a
message from the Senate.
When the secretary of the Senate had
retired Wilson (Rep, Wash.) asked If
the message could BIO repeated from the
clerks desk so that members might
know what it contained.
The Speaker informed him that it
could not be, and the roll call
proceeded. The vote resulted Yeas
142, nays II, the Republicans not
voting, No quorum voting call of
the House WAS ordered. Pending the
call several members were excused on
motion for illness and important bust
ness. Finally Mr.. Gear (Rep., Iowa)
asked that his colleague, Hull, having
been called out OF the city on mport.
ant business, be excused until Monday.
Reed objected, whereupon Gear for
maliy moved that Hull be excused.
Gears motion was rejected after serv-
ing as the medium for using up great
deal of time.
Amid the confusion Cathings sent up
resolution, which no offered, TO be
read from the clerks desk. Lacey,
Burrows, Reed and Boutelie were using
all their resources to prevent the reso-
luton from being read or entertained.
When at last 1t was read it was found
to be resolution revoking leaves Of
absence and directing the sergeant-at
arms to notify absent members by tele-
graph that their presence is desired.
Tho reading was not finished ere
Boutelle said it was not necessary to
read further for the nature Of the paper
had been disclosed in the first line. He
and Reed made tho point that it was
not in order.
The speaker pro tenn ruled that Catch
ings' resolu ton was in order.
Finally, after filibustering resources
we're exhausted, the House by q vote of
yeas II, nays ia, refused to adjourn,
and the yeas and nays were taken on
seconding the demand for the previous
question on Catchings' resolution revok-
ing the leaves Of absence. This result ted
yeas, 1873; nays, g. Reed made the point
of no quorum, but the Speaker pro tenn.
Richardson dem Ten J, however, said
that no quorum WAS essential to the
adoption Of the resolution under con-.
sideration.
Reed argued that the rules of the
House did not authorize a minority to
pass such resolution as was pending.
Its power. no said, was limited to pass.
ing an order to compel thu attendance
of members by their arrest.
The chair stated that tho uniform
practice has been to hold that such a
resolution was a proceeding to obtain a
quorum, and as such did not need a
quorum for its adoption. He would,
therefore, rule that no quorum was
necessary. The resolution was agreed
to, and then at $3.50 o'clock the House