The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-01-06
DOINGS OF THE HOUSE
Democrats Vainly Endeayor to
Secure a Quorum.
A SCENE OF GREAT CONFUSION
The Balance of Power Held by the
POpulists Who Would
Not Vote.
A SCENE OF GREAT CONFUSION
Associated Press.

Associated Press.
Washington, Jan. 5.-The house open
ed in an uproar. The democrats lacked
eight of a quorum at l o'clock TINS
afternoon. The committee on rules has
decided to report the rule for a final
vote on the tariff bill on January 25th.
Several absentees arc expected on the
afternoon trains, and it is then decided
to continue the fight for an hour or two
at least, instead of adjourning to so
into caucus, in the hope that the arri-
walls will give quorum.
The power of the committee on rules
was invoked today to break down the
obstruction in the path of the tariff
debate. An ironclad order was brought
in setting out program for debate ana
fixing January 25th for taking the fina'
vote. This resulted only in side-track-
ing the Boutelle and the Hawaiian res
olutions as when the vote was taken
on the adoption Of the order, the dem
ocrats lacked nine votes of a quorum,
| At least twenty democrats at the cap
| itOl either absented themselves from the
hall or refused to answer to their
names when called. For four hours
the democratic leaders tried with roll
call after roll-call to bring the mel
into line, but instead of gaining, they
lost votes on each successive roll-call.
The populists, with the exception OF
Bell of Colorado, also declined to aio
the democrats to get the tariff bill be
fore the house, giving as a reason the
short limit which was proposed to set
on the debate Their votes would have
made up a quorum. Today's proceed
|
ings are therefore, of additional i'm
portance, as marking the first time /.
the history of either branch of con
gress, since the organization of The
third party, that its members have held
the balance of power Immediately af.
ter reading the journal the row began
Boutele was on his feet clamoring 70
recognition to call up his Hawaiian
resolution, but the speaker recognized
! Catchings, from the committee on rules,
TO put the special order adopted before
the house convened. Boutelle loudly
| insisted upon konwing what had be.
come of the privileged resolution, whicl
had been called up yesterday. Tho
speaker replied rather sharply that yes
terdays proceedings had fallen witt
adjournment, and the report called up
from the committee on rules was :.
|
matter Of the highest privilege. Bur.
rows amid great confusion reserved
all points of order, and when Catching
demanded the previous question on thu
report Of the rules committee, Boutelle
raised the question of consideration
The speaker decided Boutelle cut OF
order. The latter appealed the decis-
ion. and the speaker promptly refused
to entertain the appeal. The speaker
was about to state the question OF
Catchings demand for the previous
question. when Burrows called ctten
tion to the fact that he had reserved
all points Of order and desired to be
heard. The speaker graciously yielded
and Burrows made the point Of order
that the special order presented b,
Catchings had originated in committee
instead of in the house, and as it car,
ried with it change in the existine
rules giving leave to point to all mem.
hers who so desired) It should, accord
ing to the existing rules, have had It.
inception in the house instead Of in
committee. After some debate, and r
discussion Of precedents. the speakc
oyerruled the point Of order.
A vote was taken on the demand for
the previous question. on the adoption
of the report Of the committee on rules
The republicans declined to vote. and
several democrats who were in the hal
and known to be opposed to the tariff
hill. also remained mute. Among them
we're sperry. OF Connecticut, Haines. OF
New York. Robertson. Of Louisiana.
end Ryan. Of New York The vote re.