The sun., 1894-03-01
THE WORK OF CONGRESS-
RESUME OF PRosEEDINGS OF TAn
SENATE AND HOUSE.
Condensed Record OF the Important
TransactiOns of Our National Law
mnkers-The Work Done in Both
branches.

TransnctiOna of Our National Law
makers-The Work Done in Both
branches.
Washington, Feb. 22.-The tariff ques-
ton came up in quite Gn unexpected
way in the senate to-day, and for two
hours it held the floor to the exclusion
of all other business. The matter was
indirectly allueded to by Senator Voor-
hees, who arose to 4 question of privilege
to deny Il newspaper statement indicating
that the Democratic members of the
finance committee were submitting to the
presidents directions in matters relating
to the tariff bill. After this denial by
Senator Voorhees, Senator Chandler of
New Hampshire precipitated the discus
sion of the day by an inquiry as to the
part that Senator Mills is performing in
the consideration of the bill in commit
tee, and whether he is still acting as the
proxy of Senator Mcpherson since the
latter's return to the city. Senator Voor-
hees at first requested Senator Chandler
t. read the Record for his information,
but when the New Hampshire senator
insisted upon a direct answer Senator
Voorhees, finally declared that it was no
business of the senator how the finance
committee considered the bill. This pro-
voked an era of acrimony, and for the
next hour senatorial courtesy had no
place in this dignified body. Many SEN
ators accused each other of unworthy
acts, and Senator Vest finally quoted
from the Record in attempt to prove that
Senator Chandler had promised to take
care of certain officials in the Southern
states in 1876, if they would decide
against the Democracy end in favor of
Hayes for the presidency.
Washington, Feb. 23.-There was
series of dramatic incidents in the house
which may possibly culminate with legal
proceedings against the sergeant-at-arms
for false Imprisonment of members OF
congress. Sergeant-at-Arms Snow, act
ing by virtue of the general warrant OF
arrest issued last Monday, has been ap-
pretending members wherever they should
be found. The warrant contains the
names of ffty-siX congressman. Mr..
Snow began last night to arrest congress
men on the floor of the house on warrants
charging them with absenting themselves
on Monday. This was in accordance
with a colloquy between Speaker Crisp
and the sergeant-at-armS during the SeS-
sion yesterday. Mr.. Snow asked if he
was expected to arrest members on the
floor. Mr.. Crisp answered that the SER
geant-at-arms was expected to execute
the order" This we S accepted as mean
ing that an ests on the floor should be
made, and Mr.. Snow at cree began to
carry this idea into effect. He arrested
seven congressman as they sat in their
seats. Deputy Hill made rs many more
arrests. In each cas- the member was
ON the shoulder ard then told that he
vas released on parole to report when re
Quired. This morning the arrests be-
gam again tId continued until interrupted
by stirring scene Representative Cum
lnings of New York came down the mid.
ole aisle of the house just as the session
was about to open. Deputy Hill stepped
up to him and notified him that by vir.
tue of the warrant he bad Mr.. Cum
mings would be placed under arrest aud
his parole taken. The congressman
flushed and took the matter seriously.
He stepped back and in bitter language
denounced the effort to arrest him. He
refused to recognize the validity of the
warrant. Il give you fair warming"
| said Mr.. Cummings, that if you touch
me you act at your peril For moment
II LOOKED as though tneTe would De Serl-
Gus trouble. as Mr.. Cummings plainly
intimated that he intended to resent the
slightest touch Indicating arrest by the
Use of force. G,he deputy quickly with
dl ew, however. as the orders of the
sergeant-at-arms are to avoid indignitcs
to congressman in every way possible.
Members who were apprehended threat
en- to secure suitable redress and talk of
legal proceedings for false imprisonment.
A serious scene followed when Gen.
| Sickles denounced his arrest. This cul-
| minated finally in the discovery that the
| Nsr19nt under which members had been
| arrested was faulty, in that the names
| of those arrested had not been included
in the warrant. By this time the house
| was in such a tangle that Mr.. Bland
moved to adjourn. Despite the efforts
of the Republicans to hold the Demo
| Gratis in session in order to force them
to find a way out of their predicament
the motion was carried.