The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-02-23

'uhus upon ltlIn Ut his cEll-Ncn'
eral Sickles Demands Upon What
Authority no was Arrcsted-Forty-
six Members Under Arrest and n
3 FinoItow In tho Democratic Family.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-Washington's
birthday was ushered into tho house OF
Representatives with n series OF dra-
matte incidents which may possibly
culminate with legal proceedings against
tho serceant.at-arms for false imprison-
ment OF members OF Congress. Ser
geant-at-Arms Snow, acting by virtue Of
the general warrant OF arrest issued last
Monday, has been apprehendlng men,
bers wherever they could bs found.
Tho warrant contains the names OF
fity-six conpressmen. Mr.. Snow began
last night to arrest congressman on tho
floor Of the house on the warrants charg-
ing them with absence Monday. This
was in accordance with q colloquy be.
tween Speaker Crisp and the sergeant
alarms during the session yesterday.
MIR. Snow asked If he was expected TO
arreet members on the floor. 3ir. Crisp
answered that the sergcant-at-arms was
expected to "execute the order" This
was accepted rs meaning that arrests on
the floor should bc made, and Mr.. Snow
at once began 10 carry this idea into
effect Ho arrested seven congressman
as they eat in their seats.
This morning the arrests began again
and continued until interrupted by q
stirring scene. Representative Cum
Inings Dem, OF New York; came down
the middle aisle OF tho house Just as the
session was about to open. Deputy Hill
stepped UP to him and notified him that
by virtue OF the warrant he held Mr..
Cummings would be placed under arrest
and parole taken. lie refused to recog-
nize tho validity OF the warrant
II give you fair Warming" said Mr..
Cummings, "tha. II you touch me you
act at your PERIL
The deputy quickly withdrew, as the
orders of the serGeant.at-arms are to
avoid indignities To- congressman in
every way possible.
Members who were apprehended
threatened to secure suitable redress,
and talk OF legal proceedings for false
imprisonment.
AN EXCITING SCENE.
After the journal was read, Mr.. Cum.
minCs arose and in most vigorous
manner denounced the attempt made to
arrest him this morning.
This morning. said he, standing at
his seat Immediately in front OF the
speakers chair, "at Il o'clock, while on
the floor OF this house, was approach
ed by an assistant sergeant-at-arms and
informed that | was under arrest. re-
fused to acknowledge the service and
told, him and his bosses to try to arrest
me at their peril. have been on the
{ floor Of this house." continued Mr.. Cum
mings, "nnd day after day in my COM
mittee rooms, three hours before the
eergeant-at.arns has been in the capitol,
and have been hero four hours atter no
has. Idcnouncc this attempted arrest
on Washing,on's birthday as unbridled
tyranny. IRepublican applause.
IN the name OF the American people
protest against holding q farcial sos.
sion on this national holiday, and, in
honor Of the memory OF George Wash
inston, now move that this house ad.
journ."
A round OF applause greeted this
statement, but Mr.. Dockery, who was
in the chair, explained that Mr.. Cum.
mingg had been recognized only to
make a personal explanation, and Nh.
Cummings thcroupoa withdrew his
motion.
There was good deal OF excitement
on the floor. aud Mr.. Reed tried to re.
now the motion. but the chair declared
1t was not in order, as ho had previous.
ly recognized Mr.. Bland.
Tho la.tor moved to>close general de-
bato on the scigniorago bill next Satur-
day ut 8 o'clock without explanation.
On his motion hedemanded the previ-
ous question. rendng that motion
MIR. Cummings again moved an adjourn
ment in honor OF the memory OF Wash
ington. On rising vote the motion
was lost-102-l2i.
Mr.. Cummings demanded tho yeas
and nays. The Republicans and Dem
ocratic opponents Of the bill voted for
the adjournment but II was lost H.
40. Upon the announcement Mr.. Reed
suggested that tho serCeant-at-arms
bring to the bar such members rs wer,
under arrest awe ought to have the
regular daily jail delivery he admitted,
amid laughter.
Before the sergeant.at.nrms could
bring the prisoners TO tho house bar.
however. Sir. Hullck, Of Ohio. rising 10
question Of personal privilege, called
attention to the fact that he had been
absent attending tho funeral Of his col.
league, Mr.. IIouk, and his leave OF ab.
sence had been extended.
He insisted that his namo had been
improperly incorporated in the warrant
/, for arrest. He asked not that he be OK.
cuscd, bu. that his name be stricken
from the warrant. He argued the ques.
tion at some length.
55 Mr., Bland moved that Mr.. Hulick be
discharged from custody.
Mr.. Dockery, in the chair, ruled the
motion was not in order as business
!. .as Z ..