The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-18
CRISP CAN COUNT A QUORUM.
The House ADOPTS a Resolution Similar
to the Famous "Retd Rule"
PROMINENT DEMOCRATS OPPOSED 1T.
msssrs. Mcmillan and Bynum being among
Them-Republicans Regard II ss n
Triumph for Reed.

w AlIl
was precipitated al once, upon the OPEN
ing of the session to-day, into an AMI
mated. not to say bitter, controversy
over the proposition to count quorum.
Immediately after the chaplain had con-
cluded the Lords Prayer, Air. Catchings
got the floor. and stated that, by direc-
tion Of the Committee OH Rules he would
withdraw the report Of the committee
made last week, proposing to fine mem
bers for unexcused absence and failures
TO vote. That being done. he offered the
resolution agreed upon by the committee
as a substitute for the De Almond resO-
luton. referred to the committee by the
Democratic caucus last Friday.
TEXT or THE RULE.
Following is the resolution:
Amend rule Is by inserting between
clauses / and the following as clause
2. and change the number of clause to
clause 8:
Upon every roll-call, and before the be-
ginning thereof the Speaker snail name
two members. one from each side OF the
pending question, If practicable, VINO
shall take their places at the Clerks desk
TO tell the names Of al least enough
members who are in the hall Of the
House during the rol-call who do not
respond, when. added to those responding
TO make a quorum. If quorum does
not respond on the roll-call, then the
names of those so noted or present shall
be reported TO the Speaker VINO shaii
cause the list to be called IRON the
clerks desk and recorded on the Jour
nal. and in determining the presence Oh
a quorum to do business those VINO voted
those who answered present, ana lhose
so reported present, shall be CONSIDERED
Members noted may. when their naines
are called. record their vote, notWltn-
etord,ne the provisions Of clause Of this
rule. ,,
Amend clause /. Of rule s, by adding
thereto the following words:
And on a roll-call should he not vote
he shall answer present" so as to read:
Every member shall be present within
the hall of the House during its sittings
unless excused or necessarily prevented
and shall vote on each question put, un-
less he has direct personal or pecuniary
interest in the event OF such question and
on a roll-cal should he not vote, he shall
answer present
TIME FOR DEBATE WANTED.
When IT had been read Mr.. Catchinss
asked unanimous consent that the previ-
Gus question on the passage Of the reso-
luton be considered ordered. and that
debate be closed in an hour and half,
the time TO be controlled by the Speaker
of the House. At once there was oDpo-
sition manifested on the Democratic side,
and so much confusion existed that the
proceedings could not be distinguished
at the Speakers desk.
Mr.. Wells Dem. Wis., objected TO
restricting debate to any such limits,
charging that these methods sought TO
be engrafted upon the practices Of the
House were those for which the Demo-
Gratis had long denounced the Republi-
cans.
Mr.. Bryan Dem. Neb) appealed to
Mr.. Catchines for two hours debate on
each side. but again Mr.. Catchings de-
clined.
Mr.. McMillin Dem, Tenn) joined the
ranks Of those who asked for two hours
debate on side. III IT operates as the
Reed rule did he said. there will be
plenty Of time for legislation after it
has been passed"
He was followed by Mr.. McCreary
0em.. Ky). who said that two hours
was none too much time in which TO
discuss a rule which was such a radical
departure from the practice of the House
for over hundred years
After discussion, Mr.. Catchines changed
his request for unanimous consent so
as to fix the vote at o'clock.
Mr.. Grow Rep., Pa said that he had a
substitute which he would like to offer
and have read for information. and to be
voted on, which could not be done If
the previous question were then ordered.
Mr.. Burrows Rep.. Mich.) asked If the
would ii not cut off amendment or SUBJ
stitute
Mr.. Catchings responded that It would.
and that was his purpose IL moving it.
THE VIEWS OF THE MINORITY.
Mr.. Burrows then asked to be allowed
to offer as a substitute for the rule re-
ported the rule I'm force in the Fifty-first
Congress, as presenting the views Of the
minority.
This was agreed to- and the rule was
read as follows;
"On the demand of any member, or at
the suggestion Of the Speaker the names
Of members sufficient TO make a quorum
In the hall of the House who do not
vote shall be noted by the Clerk and re-
corded in the Journal, and reported 10 the
Speaker, with the names OF the members
voting, and be counted and announced IN
determining the presence Of quorum
to do business (Clause 3, rule To- FIFTY
first Congress.)
Mr.. Catchings' request for unanimous
consent was then submitted. and MIR.
Wells Dem. Wis., objected. MIR. Catch
ings then moved that the previous ques-
ton be ordered on the passage OF the
resolution. on division the vote was:
AYES. 12s: noes 9S. The Republicans gen.
erally voted against ordering the pre-
vious question. The yeas and nays were
demanded and ordered, resulting: Yeas.
14O: nays. 100; so the previous question
was ordered.
MIR. Burrows stated that the rule by the
committee and the substituteonered by him
both contained the principle OF counting
n quorum, differing as TO detail. Not de-
string TO do anything to embarrass or
delay the adoption Of the principle by the
House. desiring rather that the Demo-
cratic majority should have an unop-
structed opportunity 10 endorse the flity-
first Congress, he would Withdraw the
substitute.
THE DEBATE BRGUN.
M. debate was opened by Mr.. Catch
,,,a,s q, a hrief explanation OF the rules. say
,ne I, was the result OF the action OF the
caucus of last Friday.
Mr. Springer said the proposed rule |
no change OF the Constitu- |
zion. II was only proposition whereby |
- House could do the business for |
,,,htch the members had been sent here. l
applause) The House had /
sat here for a month past and did practi- |
cally two days work. He was tired OF |
a and hoped the House was. He should |
hail the adoption OF the rule as the dawn /