The record-union., 1894-04-18

Bill Discussed in the Senate.
Special TO the REcoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE House
to-day has, by an overwhelming VOTE
decided to adopt a quorum counting rule,
which, for all practical purposes, Is the
same as that which Speaker Reed OF
Maine inaugurated during the Flfty-hrst
Congress. 1t won for him worldwide
reputation.
Neither undue excitement nor tumultu-
Gus scenes marked the crushing OF the
old legislative barriers. Mr.. Reed ano
the Republicans generally were in q
happy humor over the victory they had
achieved. Those who expected Mr.. Reed
would attack and jibe his political adver-
saries with their own inconsistency were
disappointed. Only fifteen minutes on q
side were allowed for debate, and Mr.
Reed consumed only part OF that with
an arraignment of the Democrats. Tie
good-naturedIy distributed most OF 1t to
the Democrats who desired to oppose the
new rules, and when his time was ex-
hausted he jocularly asked for more Tune
to dole out among his friends on the other
Os
Wheeler and Russell, being the Demo-
Gratis who were thus given an opportu-
nifty to protest against the adoption OF the
rule. When the vote was taken forty
seven Democrats voted against it. but II
secured every Republican vote, and was
carried by vote of 2l2 10 A. The Popu-
lists did not vote on the proposition.
The adoption of this rule to-day, taken
in conjunction with the decision to eu-
force the old law of 1916 to dock the sal
aries of members absent. save on account
of sick ness, will, it is thought, put an end
forever to parliamentary obstruction.
After the adoption of the rule 1t only re-
Quired few minutes to stralghten out
the parliamentary tangle which the House
has been in for some days, ana lnen the
House quietly proceeded with the con-
sideration of the consular and diplomatic
bill.
There was very large attendance on
both sides and in the gallery when the
House met, in anticipation OF the light
over the new quorum-countlng rule.
Catchings, from the Committee on Rules,
secured recognition before the journal
was read. and after Withdrawing the rule
reported last Thursday, presented one
agreed upon just before the House con-
vened. the purport of which has been given
in these dispatches. Considerable skir-
mishing among the Democrats aNNut the
limitation of debate followed, i and
Burrows saying nothing, but watching
the proceedings closely.
Alter an amendment offered by Bur-
rows and Reed, the Speaker submitted a
request for unanimous consent to close
the debate at o'clock, Wells objected.
This ended an attempt at peaceful agree
ment.
Nothing was left but to apply the gag.
He demanded the previous question. The
vote was taken by ayes and noes. The
Republicans made no offer to hlibuSter
but voted in the negative, besides many
Democrats who were opposed to the pro-
posed rule or to driving it through under
the lash.
The demand for the previous question
was sustained-l40 to 120.
Under the rule fifteen minutes was al
lowed on each side for debate. Hatch at
tempted to ask unanimous consent for
further time, but Bynum objected. Some
questions followed as the manner in
which the time should be divided. In the
course of the controversy Reed stated
stated that so far as the Republican mi
nority was concerned the rule reported
from the Committee on Rules embodied
the principle for which they had been
contending. There might, perhaps, be
some objection to the details of the rule,
but the principle was the correct one.
Burrows, after stating that the proposed
rule was substantially the rule OF the
Fifty-first Congress, withdrew the SUBJ
stitute which he had offered.
Before the debate began, Catchings
asked unanimous consent that those who
so desired should have an opportunity to
print their remarks in the Record.
''Oh, l object" shouted Boutelle, with
a smile "Such remarks would make but
a melancholy contribution to Congress
sional literature"
The debate was to begin, and it was
calm, even-tempered, and wholly unlike
what had been anticipated. The Repub-
licans were bubbling over with good hu-
NOR over the consummation of their long
legislative struggle, and applauded every
Democratic convert TO the rule put in
practice.
Catchings was recognized and made a
two-minute speech. He yielded one
minute to General Wheeler (Ala.), who
had not enough time to protest against it
as antagonistic to the deliberation which
ought to obtain in legislative body like
the House of Representatives, when the
gavel dropped and he was summarily
taken off the floor.
Reed, who controlled fifteen minutes
for the Republicans, at this juncture
yielded five minutes to Bryan.
Bryan was very earnest in his opposi-
hIOA W bHC pIOpOS0u IulS. L MS WAS q
matter of great importance, he said. over
half the States in the Union, including
New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, In
diana and Ohio, required the affirmative
vote of majority of the legislative bod
les to enact laws. 1t might be incon-
venient at times, but it was essentially a
safe plan. 1t was the safeguard OF the
minority. 1t gave the minority the power
TO compel the concurrence of a majority
on any measure, and while the power
could be used for filibustering purposes,
after all it was better to be safe than to be
sorry.
Springer, who followed Bryan, sup
ported the proposed rule, because, he
said, it would enable the members of the
House to transact the business which
their constituents sent them there to trans
act. A burst of Republican applause
greeted this statement, which was re-
newed when he said the House had in a
month done but two days business.
My constituents are tired,'' said he, in
conclusion, ''and | hope the House is
tired OF it also. l hail this as the dawn oi
a brighter day."
rule was unnecessary in legislative
bodies in which the controlling party had
81 majority and 80 more than quorum.
Ex-Speaker Grow upheld the principle
incorporated in the proposed rule, but
objected TO lis details as cumbersome.
Russell (Dem.) of Georgia, to whom
Reed yielded one minute, declared no
one would have the temerity 10 affirm
that the Fifty first Congress would have
adopted the quorum counting device,
had the Republicans in that House not
been so hard pressed tor quorum.
With the enormous majority held by the