The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-18
DETAILS OF THE DEBATE.
Republicans Were in Good Humor
and Did Not FiIibuster.

When the House was convened to-day ID
at once plunged into the contest over the
adoption of the rule In order to prevent
parliamentary complications Mr.. Catchings
from the committee on rules, secured recog-
milton before the Journal was read and,
after withdrawing the rule reported from
that committee last Thursday. he imme-
diately presented the report agreed upon
just before the House convened. The re-
port was read from the Clerks desk as
follows:
Clauses ] and the following as Clause 2
and change the number OF Clause 10
the beginning thereof the Speaker shall
name two members. one from each side OF
the pending question, If practicable. who
shall take their places at the Clerks desk
TO tell the names Of at least enough men,
bers who are in the hall OF the House dur
ing the roll call who do not respond, when
added To those reSDondinr TO make a
quorum. II quorum does not respond on
the roll call then the names OF those noted
who shall cause the list 10 be called from
the Clerks desk and recorded in the jour
nal; and IN a, determinlng the pres presence or
present and those so reported shall be con-
sidered- Members noted may when their
names are called record their votes not
withstanding the provisions OF Clause OF
this rule.
a
roll call should he not vote he shall an
swer present so as to read every men,
ber shall be present within the hall of the
House during its sittings unless excused
or necessarily prevented and shall vote on
each question put unless he had a direct
personal or pecuniary interest in the event
of such question, and on roll call should
he not vote he shall answer present
Mr. Ca;chings then attempted to arrive
at an agreement about the limit to be set
for the debate upon the proposed rule. The
interest on the floor was intense, although
there was neither confusion nor excitement
Mr.. Catchings suggested an hour and
half as the limit for debate, but Mr.. Wells,
OF Wisconsin. one of the Democratic op-
ponents of any quorum-counting rule OBJ
jected strenuously to such a brief oppor-
tunty for the debate He thought con-
sidering the great Importance OF the ques-
When Mr.. Catchings shook his head at
this Mr.. Wells appealed TO the committee
on rules not to gag Democrats who did
Mr.. Bynum proposed two hours on a side
and Mr.. McMillin expressed himself in op-
position TO rushing the new rule through
with undue haste. He was quite vehement
in tone and gesture
TIE Republican leaders. Reed and Burrows.
did not attempt TO put in their oars. They
watched every point however vigilantly.
Finally, Mr.. Catchings yielded, and agreed
TO allow two hours debate on side. a
vote 10 be taken at 4 O'Clock. Everything
seemed To be in process of peaceful adjust
ment before the request for unanimous con-
sent, by which such agreements are made
binding on the House. was submitted.
REEDS OLD RULE.
Mr. Burrows, one of the Republican men,
bers of the rules committee. offered, on be-
half of himself and Mr.. Reed, as substi-
tute for the proposed rule. the quorum
counting rule of the Fifty-irst Congress.
That rule was as follows:
"On the demand OF any member or at the
suggestion OF the Speaker the names OF
members sufficient TO make quorum in
the hall OF the House who Go not vote
shall be noted by the Clerk and recorded in
the journal. and reported TO the Speaker,
with the names OF the members voting, and
be counted and announced in determining
the presence Of quorum 10 do business"
The Speaker then submitted the request
for unanimous consent TO close the debate
at 4 o'clock To the great surprise OF ALL
Mr. Wells, OF Wisconsin, objected. This
ended the attempt 10 reach a pea ,eful
agreement
Mr. Catchings appealed TO the House 10
witness the fact that he had made an hon
est attempt 10 afford a reasonable oppor-
tunty for debate. Nothing was left but 10
apply the gag. He demanded the previous
question. The vote was taken by yeas and
nays. The Republicans made no effort 70
flibuster, but voted in the negative. as did