The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-23
ABSENTEES RECALLED
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS ANXIOUS To
SECURE A QUORUM.
Last Appropriation Bill Ready for the
Presidents Signature-Early Adj
journment Probable.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.-No business
was transacted during the short session
of the Senate to-day. Attention was called
to the absence of a quorum within hve
minutes after the Vice President raped
for order, and from that time until 12O,
when the Senate went into executive ses-
sion, that body was in a state of suspended
animation. The last of the appropriation
bills-the general deficiency-was signed by
the Vice President to-day. and now only
awaits the Presidents signature to become
a law.
The following Senators were present:
Messrs. Aldrich, Allison, Bate, Berry, Black
burn, Blanchard, Cockrell, Coke, Cullom,
Faulkner, Gallinger. George, Gibson. Cor
man, Gordon, Gray, Harris, Hill, Jarvis,
Jones of Arkansas, Kyle, Lindsay, Nc
Laurin, Henderson, Martin. Mitchell OF Or
egon, Mitchell of Wisconsin,. Palmer, Pasco,
PETER, Pettigrew. Pugh, Ransom, Roach,
Shoup, Turpie, Vest, Villas. Walsh and
White-a total of forty; Democrats. thirty;
Republicans, eight; Populists. two. This
made the Senate three short of a quorum,
but there was in reality only one less, as
Senators Jones, of Nevada, and Quay, of
Pennsylvania, were present and failed TO
answer to their names. AT ITO p. IN. Sem
ator Caffery, of Louisiana, appeared, when
Senators Jones and Quay also asked to be
recorded. A quorum was thus obtained by
the addition of these three names, and inn
mediately afterwards the Senate went into
executive session, on motion of Mr.. Cock
ren.
During the open session there was a con-
sultation among the Democratic Senators,
Mr.. Blackburn, Dem, of Kentucky, urging
that the absentees might as we'll be sent
for to-day as tomorrow. The decision of
this impromptu caucus seemed to be in the
same line, as Mr.. Harris moved that the
Sergeant-at-arms be directed to request the
presence of absent Senator's, which was
agreed to.
Before telegraphing for absentees, to-day,
the Democratic leaders made an especial
appeal TO the Republicans TO permit the
bill to correct the error with reference to
alcohol in the arts to go through without
objection in the absence of a quorum. 1t
appears. however, that when Senator Cham
der went away he left behind him a re-
quest that the bill should not be taken up
In his absence, and the Republican Senators
are guarding this request. The Democratic
Senators now threaten to retaliate by TAX
ing up the supplemental tariff bills and try
Ing to pass them, in case they succeed in
getting a quorum. but they realize that
there are many di1nculties in the way OF
putting such a programme into execution,
solve upon any definite plan beyond exert
ing themselves to the utmost 10 secure the
attendance of a quorum. the consultations
among the Republican leaders indicated
that they were willing the alcohol schedule
of the tariff should be corrected, but no
agreement could be made on the Democratic
side to stop any further speech-making.
Senator Lindsay has been prepared to make
a speech on the tariff. The Republicans do
not want II to be made.
Senator German and Speaker Crisp had a
long conference to-day, and the matter Of
an early adjournment was discussed. 1t
was believed by the Democratic leaders
that a business quorum cannot be longer
maintained in either house; that it would
be well to have an early adjournment, and
that it should come as soon as the tariff
bill is finally settled. Chairman Wilson has
gone TO West Virginia, but will return to-
morrow, at which time ii is expected he will
see President Cleveland and some intima-
ton may be given as to when Congress can
wind up it's business. The House was not
in session to-day. and very few members
put in an appearance.