New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-12
POW merry
"SEC"
CHAMPAGNE NATURE (Yin Brut).
"Aigh Grade Champagne of
uniform quality
TO FINE ABSENT MEMBERS
SPEAKER CRISP THOROUGHLY DISGUST
ED WITH HIS PARTY.
)AiETIIINli

GRADUALLY FINDING OUT THAT SOMETHING
HEROIC HAS GOT TO BE DONE TO SECURE THE
ATTENDANCE OF DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS
Washington. April II (SpeciaD.-Speaker crisp
is thoroughly disguised. not to say indignant
on account OF the almost constant lack Oh d
quorum in the House Of Representatives. With
21S Democratic members and nearly dozen fop-
Mist members IT IS only at the cost OF great
effort and days Of time that l19 Democrats an"
ponulists can be coaxed and driven to the House
and kept there long enough to vote on pehu-
ing motion. Five days ago 1t became apparent
that a quorum Of the majority would be heeueu
to carry a motion made by Mr. Springer ana
TODAY when the attempt was renewed. II failed
because only 1sl votes could be mustered. The
facts and situation are as follows:
ON March 49, more than three weeks ago. the
Uouse finding itself without quorum. ordered
the arrest OF all members who were absent eH-
cept on account of sickness. and revoked all
leaves Of absence that had been granted. lhis
order was passed without voting quorum. anu
was to remain in force indefinitely, aithoush
other proceedings under the call OF the HOUSE
dropped with the adjournment on that day -"
Saturday Mr. Springer moved that the order DC
vacated the Sergeant-at-Arms having fhaue Il
report from which 1t appeared that ne hau "o'
arrested any member during the nineteen uaSS
since the order was made. No quorum Voted Oh
Mr. Springer's motion. and point OF order ra'se
hv Nr Reed that the motion could not be passed
by less than voting quorum. was sus'alneu oy
sneaker Crisp. The mover then attempted 20
withdraw the motion. but Mr.. Reed objected ana
the Sneaker sustained the objection. Yesterday
rhc motion was called up by Mr.. Reed ana Mt.
Springer again attempted TO withdraw IT, where
nI
point was eaborately argued
In tho course Of the discussion remarks were
dropped by the Speaker which were thought TO
,,dl,atc TIA. lie would oVerre rne objection,
but af the suggestion Of Mr.. Reed, he hnaHy
reserved his decision until to-day. This morning
he sustained the objection and also the point
made by Mr.. Reed. that the motion upon when
the yeas and nays had been ordered on Hd'"i
dov came up II Itself. and that the vote must
ba taken The rollcall showed that only 40
members had vCtcI-33 less than a quorum anu
a call ~ the House was ordered. upon when -
members were recorded as present The mex,
rollcall which was Immediately taken. showed
that only 1871 members had voted-N leSs than
a quorum. Despite the fact that more than 200
members and nearly 40 more than quorum
were present. Il was evident that n v0ting
quorum could not be mustered. and the House
adjourned
So long rs the Democrats cling 70 the absurd
rule that the quorum must consist ~ a sufficient
number ~ members present AMI voting In
stead ~ n sufficient number present, and 50
long a. from 40 70 - members %, the ma
jorty persist in non-atiendance such incidents as
that ~ today win frequently happen. Speaker
Crisps lmpassioned appeals 20 Democrats 20 at
tend all s.ttings ~ the House and vote upon all
questions. have fallen upon deaf ears. and been
ignored by 50 many members OF the majority
that he proposes TO resort To stern
measures-as soon a quorum can be mustered
and held long enough to vote. Ills plan ~ 10
impose a fine upon al members who are absent
except with leave ~ the House or account ~
sickness. He regrets that this hardship Will
fan upon many ~ our own people but he
cares nothing about the Republicans" who may
be mulcteA on account ~ their absence Per-
haps this plan VIII succeed