The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-18


lowed on a side for debate. Mr. Hatch at
tempted to ask unanimous consent for fur
Some question followed as 10 the manner
IN which the time should be divided. In the
course OF this controversy Mr.. Reed stated
that so far as the Republican minority was
concerned the rule reported from the com
mittee on rules embodied the principle for
which they had been contending- There
might, perhaps, be some objection 10 the de-
tails 10 the rule, but the principles were
the correct ones.
Mr.. Burrows after stating that the pro-
posed rule was substantially the rule OF the
Fifty-frst Congress, withdrew the substi-
tute he had offered.
Before the debate began Mr.. CatchinSs
asked unanimous consent that those who
desired should have opportunity TO
print remarks in the Record.
"Oh. object" shouted Mr.. BOutelle, with
smile. "Such remarks would make but
a melancholy contribution 10 congressional
literature"
The debate then began: 1t was calm.
even tempered, and wholly unlike what
had been anticipated. The X Dublicans
were bubbling over with good humor over
the consummatiOn Of their long legislative
struggle and applauded every Democratic
convert 10 the rule put in practice in the
F'tfty-frst Congress.
Mr.. Catchings was first recognized and
made a two-minute speech. He yielded one
time enough TO protest against il as antag
onistic to the elaboration which ought TO
obtain in legislative body like the House
or Representatives, when the gavel dropped
and he was summarily taken off the floor.
REED YIELDS TO BRYAN.
Mr.. Reed who controlled fifteen minutes
for the Republicans, at this juncture
yielded five minutes to Mr. Bryan, the
Nebraska Democrat. Mr.. Bryan was very
earnest In his opposition TO the proposed
rule. This was a matter of great impOr-
tance. he said. over half the States in
the Union. including New York. Pennsyl-
vania, illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Nebraska,
required the affirmative vote on major
ity OF their legislative assemblies to enact
laws: 1t might be inconvenient at times,
the safeguard Of the minority. 1t gave
the minority the power to compel the con-
currence or a majority on any measure,
and, while the power could be used for
hibustering purposes, after all it was bet
Mr.. Springer, who followed Mr.. Bryan,
supported the proposed rule because he
said it would enable the members OF the
House 10 transact the business which their
constituents sent them here 10 transact.
4 4 burst of Republican applause greeted
said that the House had in a month done
but two days business. MY constituents
are tired Of it," said he in conclusion. "and
hope the House is tired of 1t. 1 hail this
as the dawn Of a brighter day."
Mr.. Kngore argued that the proposed
in which the controlling party had 81 ma
jority, and thirty more than a quorum.
Ex-SPeaker Grow upheld the principle in
cOrpOrated in the proposed rule, but OBJ
jected to its details as cumbrous
clsr r. russell tSat Georgia DEMOCRAT de
ity 10 affirm that the Fifty-first Congress
would have adopted the quorum-coqnting
not been so hard pressed for a quorum.
With the enormous majority possessed by
the Democrats Of this House it was a
humiliating spectacle to see them forced to
the adoption of the revolutionary expedi-
snt round Of Republican applause
Mr.. Reed, whose face was aglow, arose,
and, with display of fervent generosity
and good humor that furnished the insDira-
lion for more Republican enthusiasm asked
unanimous consent for five minutes more.
biandiy. would use like to- distribute fbld me- +
among my Democratic friends across the
way"
REEDS WORDS GOAD BYNUM.
Mr.. Reeds words seemed to goad Mr.
Bynum particularly, and he objected in
loud voice. Thereupon Mr.. Reed said he
would only consume a minute of the re-
manning time at his disposal. He thought
1t was unnecessary for him to say any
thing. The scene here to-day said he, is
a more effective address than he could
make. The House was about to- adopt the
principle for which the Republicans had
contended since the Fifty-first Congress
Il congratulate the Fifty-third Congress"
said he, impressively, ION the wise de-
cree II Is about TO make" Republican
Mr.. Cultivate, a Democratic member of
ried words, explained the difficulties I'M
der which the House has been laboring
and the imperative demand for the remedy
this rule proposed.
Mr.. Catchings. in concluding the debate,
declared that if the proposed proceedings
we're revolutionary ii had been forced by
the representatives of a. great party who
Insisted on a policy of obstruction on the
most trivial and unimportant legislation.
He resented the idea that such obstruction
could be considered statesmanlike Yet,
having become the settled policy of the
In order that the House could transact
business.
The vote was then taken on the adoption
OF the new rule. There was no excite
ment. The Republicans all voted in favor
of it and 1t was adopted-2l2 to AZ. The
Democrats who Toted against it were as
Abbott. Barnes, Black of Georgia, Bland.
breckenridge of Kentucky: Bryan, Bynum.
Capehart, CauSey, Cobb of Alabama, Conn,
Cooper of Texas, Covert, Cummings, Dunn,
Durborow. English of New Jersey. Epes.
Holman, Hunter, Kilgore, Lane, Lapham,
Lester, Mallory, Martin of Indiana, Nc
Aleer, McKaig, McMillen, Reilly, Russell
OF Georgia, Ryan. Stevers, Talbot Of
Maryland. Tracey, Turner of Georgia War
ner, Wells, Wheeler OF Alabama, Whiting,
Williams of Illinois, Williams OF MissiS-
sippi and Wise, a total of forty-seven.
Mr. Reed was Immediately surrounded by
his party friends and given an ovation.
demonstration over Mr.. Catchings. A large
bunch OF La France roses was carried up
the aisle and placed on MT. 1(eSO desk
Another Republican outburst followed. The
flowers were sent with the compliments of
Representative Apsley. of Massachusetts.
The parliamentary wheels began moving
again in the House, and then came the ap-
prevail of the last three legislative days
which had up TO this time remained a
stumbling block to progress.
THE NEW RULE TRIED.
Then came the question Of discharging the
Sergeant-at- from the continuing order
TO arrest members adopted about a month
ago.
Mr.. Reed said a grave question of parlia-
mentary procedure was involved, and, in
order to have the law investigated. he sub
mitted a resolution reciting that the order
of arrest was void. He asked that this be
sent TO the judiciary or rules committee in
order that the right of arrest might be
authOritatively determined and careful
precedent established.
The Speaker ruled out the question, on
the ground that the first business was to
discharge members now under arrest be-
fore taking up general principles.
on the motion TO discharge the Sergeant
alarms, yea and nay vote was secured,
and this gave the first practical Illustration
of the operation OF the new rule. The
Speaker named Messrs. Dockery, Democrat,
and Cogswell. Republican. as telers to
watch the count and, if necessary, count
members present, but not voting. They
took their places at the side OF the clerk,
each keeping separate tally of the vote.
In order to force the recording OF members
as present but not voting. in accordance