Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-01-06
The Opposition, Aided by the Ab-
SenteeS, Break Quorum.
THE BALANCE OF POWER HELD
By the Populists, and Their Re.
fusal TO Vote Left the Republi-
cans in Position to Delay Action
on the Wilson Bill-Prospeots
That the Absentees Will Hurry
Back to Washington.

WASHINGTON, IL. u, January 81
The power OF the Committee on Rules
was invoked to-day TO break down the
obstruction In the path OF the tariff de-
bate. An ironcla6 order was brought
in setting out the programme for the
tariff debate and fixing January 25 as
the day for taking the final vote. This
resulted only In side-tracking MIR.
Boutelle and his Hawaiian resolution,
as when the vote came to be taken on
the adoption OF the order the Demo-
cracts lacked nine votes OF quorum.
At least twenty Democrats at the
Capitol either absented them selves from
the hall or refused to answer TO their
names when called. For four hours
the Democratic leaders tried with roll
after roll call to bring their men into
line, but instead OF gaining they lost
votes on each successive roll call. The
Populists with the exception
OF Mr.. Bell, OF Colorado.
also declined to aid the Democrats to
get the tariff bill before the House,
giving as the reason for this action the
short limit IL was proposed TO set on the
debate. Their votes would have made
up quorum. To-day's proceedings
are, therefore, OF additional Importance
as making the first timo In the history
OF either branch of Congress since the
organization OF the third party that It's
members have held
THEBALAECE OF POWER.
Immediately after the reading OF the
journal the row began. Mr.. Boutelle,
OF Maine, was on his feet clamoring for
recognition TO call up his Hawaiian res-
olution, but the Speaker recognized Mr..
CatchinRs, from the Committee on
Rules, to present the special order
adopted just before the commit
tee convened. Mr. Boutelle loudly
insisted upon knowing what had be-
come Of his privileged resolution wh Ich
had been called up yesterday The
Speaker replied rcther sharply that
yesterdays proceedings had fallen with
the adjournment and that the report
| called up from the Com mittee on Rules
was matter OF the highest privilege.
The vote was then taken on the de-
mand for the previous question on
adoption OF the report OF the committee
on rules.
The Republicans declined To vote and
several Democrats who wore IN the hall
and who were known TO be opposed TO
the tariff bill remained mute.
The vote resulted 169 To 1, ono less
than quorum. As soon as the an
nouncement that no quorum had voted
had been announced by the Speaker, on
motion OF Mr.. Catchings call OF the
House was ordered. The call devel-
oped the presence OF 273 members.
The motion then recurred on the de-
mand for the previous question on the
adoption OF the special order.
THE REPUBLICANS SAT SILENT
In their seats and the small coterie OF
Democrats, led by Mr.. Sperry, refused
10 aid their Democratic brethren In the
enort TO secure a quorum. Mr.. Sperry
In fact actively busted himself in
raising the standard OF revolt In so far
as to ask Democratic mem bers to re-
fralu from voting. The vote resulted
1863 TO nothing
Mr.. Outh waite moved n call OF the
House. Mr.. Reed demanded division
and the call was ordered-1O4 TO 81.
The call developed the presence Of
250 mem mbers. Further proceedings un-
der the call was dispensed with and the
vote was again taken on the demand for
the previous question.
On this roll call Messrs. Coombs and
Sickles, Of New York. declined To
answer to their names, and
although Messrs Brockinrldge and
Berry, OF Kentucky, who had
just arrived, voted, only 1Gs votes we're
cast, loss OF one since the last vote.
The Democratic leaders decided 10 con p
tlnuo, however. IL for no other purpose
than TO impress upon absentees the
necessity OF attendance as
MEASURE or PARTY DISCIPLINE.
Accordingly, on motion OF Mr.. Catch
ings, call OF the House was had II
developed the presence OF 271 mem bers.
aud again the roll was called on the mo-
ti0n to order the previous question.
Messrs. English, Of New Jersey. and
SiOley, OF Pennsylvania, refused 20 an
swer 70 their names on this vote, which
resulted 1876 % nothlng-a loss Of two
compared with the last yot
IL having become manifest that a
Democratic quorum could not be secured
today General Catchings moved an ad-
jOurnment az $50.