Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-19
HUNTING FOR A QUORUM
Mr.. Bland Tries in Vain to Get One on
His seigniorage Bill.
Representative De Almonds Resolu-
tion to Fine Members Not Voting
Calls of the House.


The struggle to secure a quorum to order
the previous question on Mr.. Bland's mo-
tion to close debate on the silver seignior-
age bill was resumed today.
Immediately after the reading of the Jour-
nal Mr.. De Almond (Mo.) came forward
with a new device for preventing flibuster-
ing in the shape of amendment to the rules
which he asked to have referred to the COM
mittee on rules.
Mr.. De Almonds Resolution.
The resolution is as follows:
Resolved That to paragraph one of rule
fifteen be added clause as follows:
But it shall be in order, at the conclu-
sion Of the second roll call. for any member
to inquire of the Speaker if a quorum has
voted. and II the Speaker answer in the
negative to suggest that any other member.
naming him, is present and has not voted,
and thereupon the Speaker, who may then
cause the doors to be closed, shall direct
the clerk to again cal, the name of such
member and record his vote; and this pro-
ceeding may be Continued until a quorum
shall have voted. And If any member be-
ing thus called a third time, and being
present and not excused from voting, shall
not vote the sergeaIt-at-armss shall, by di-
rection of the Speaker, bring him before the
bar of the House. and his name snail then
be called once more and hts vote recorded.
But if he still refrain from voting his name
shall be recorded as that of a member
present and refusing to vote: and for every
contempt of the House of which a member
shall be guilty by thus refusing to vote the
sergeant-at-arms shall deduct as a nne the
sum of 800 from his salary. pay the same in
to the treasury of the United States and re-
port such action to the House."
Il suggest to the method proposed by
that rule said Mr.. Hopkins at the conclu-
sion of the reading of the rule. that 1t
would be much easier for the Speaker to
count a quorum.
"Or, better STILL" added Mr.. Reed, ITO get
a justice of the peace to administer the af-
fairs of the House" Gaughter) The pro-
posed amendment to the rules was referred.
Mr.. Marsh Qll.) asked unanimous consent
for the consideration of Senate bill author
| izing the construction and operation of a
| wing dam, canal and power station in the
| Des Moines rapids Of the Mississippi in
Hancock county. Ill. There was objec-
| ton, and the bill was passed.
At the request of Mr.. Bingham Pa.)
March 81, at l o'clock, was made Especial
order for paying tribute to the memory OF
the late Representative O'NeiIl of Pennsyl.
vania.
Mr.. Martin. chairman of the committee
on invalid pensions. reported back the
| Tawney resolution calling on the Secretary
of the Interior for certain information re.
gardirg some suspe lded pension cases, with
favorable recommendation, and 1t was
passed.
| Another Effort to Get n Quorum.
Mr.. Bland then moved to 60 into com.
mittee of the whole on the seigniorage bill
| and pending that moved that all general
| debate be closed and on that motion de-
manded the previous question The ayes
and nays were called for by Mr.. Tracey
| (N.Y0, and, repeating their former tactics
the democratic and republican opponents OF
the measure sat silent in their seats and
/ refused to answer to their names The
vote resulted 151-i "a short of a Quorum
On motion of Mr.. Bland a call of the House
| was ordered
The call developed the presence Of 25,
members, and the vote again required on
Mr.. BANDS motion.
Mr.. Walkers SuRRestfon.
Before the clerk began calling the roll
Mr.. Walker NIass) suggested, as it was
evident a quorum could not be obtained, te
close debate; that the motion be withdrawn
and the debate be allowed to run on. Mr.
Bland declared that he had offered to sci
any reasonable limit to the debate IL ar
agreement could be reached TO allow thu
vote on the passage of the bill to be taker
without filibusterng. but he submitted thai
1t was not fair for opponents of the bill t.
ask for indefinite debate and then filibustel
when the time came for taking the vote
He should persist, he said, until a vote or
the bill was had or 1t was fully demon
strated that majority Of the House wa.
opposed to the measure. After this inter
ruption the clerk proceeded with the Iol
call.
The motion again failed for lack Of .
quorum, 15O-a loss of five votes compared
with the preceding roll call
Another call of the House and the ELUSIVE
quorum reappeared.
A roll call on Mr.. BANDS motion followed
and 1t resulted 1852; this time twenty-fiy,
short Of quorum. Again on motion Of Mr.
Bland a call Of the House was ordered.