Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-04
CHANGES HIS BASE.
Gar Reed RsVsfsss 4 Former Ruling ol
His Own.
The QUESTION OF A Quorum
A Democrat Attempts to speak. Bat
Is Called to Order-Discussion ON
the Cuban Resoiudons--The senate
Not In Session.


the report OF the conference committee
recommending the adoption Of the Sen
ate resolutions relating to Cuba, which
Mr.. Hit (Republican), Of Illinois. chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
has been endeavoring to bring to the
attention OF the House for some time.
Mr.. Hit was desirous of securing action
on the report to-day. but the House res
olution intervened before the conclusion
of the discussion, and 1t went over till
tomorrow.
The time this afternoon was occupied
by Mr.. Hit in q speech In favor Of
agreeing to the report. and by Mr.. Bou-
telle Republican). Of Maine. who opposed
the passage of the resolution.
Before the Cuban matter came up the
House passed thirtyteight private pension
bills. which had been fayorably acted
upon at previous Friday night sessions.
In the course OF this part Of the pro-
ceedings Speaker Reed reversed his IA
nous ruling in the Fifty-hrst Con-
gress which has been the subject or
much controversy, and declared that
majority Of the actual membership of
the House constituted a quorum. In the
Fifty-frst Congress he held that 1t re-
quired a majority of all the members
elected to the House to make quorum,
irrespective Of the vacancies.
Mr. Hooper. OF New York. reported
the river and harbor appropriation bill
for the year ending June 30 1897, which
will be called up Monday.
A bill was passed authorizing the con-
struction of a bridge across the Missis-
sippi river at St. Louis
At $40 the House took a recess until
o'clock, the evening session TO be for
the consideration OF private pension bills.
The question Of quorum came up on
the first pension bill taken up. When
IL was recommended Mr.. Pickler moved
the previous question.
Mr.. Erdman Democrao, Of Pennsyl-
vania. made the point of no quorum on
the vote--1N TO 8.
quorum was counted and the previous
question was ordered.
On the passage of the bill. Mr.. Erdman
demanded n vote by yeas and nays, but
only % members Joined him in the re-
quest-an insufficient number.
So the bill was passed.
on the next bill Mr. Erdman again
made the point of no quorum, but the
Speaker said: "The Chair overrules the
objection, stating to the House that evil
IDENTIFY a quorum Is present.
The announcement was received with
applause. and the passage of the remain
ing bills on the calendar proceeded with-
out serious delay or interruption.
Upon another vote Mr.. Erdman again
made the point of no quorum and the
Speaker after counting, said: "There are
lis present-a quorum.
SPEAKER REED CHANGES BASE.
This was a reversal OF his famous de-
cision In the Fifty-first Congress, about
which there has been much controversy
and which was followed in later Con-
e-resses. The entire number OF represent
tatives in a fun House would De Soi. Oh
which 179 would be a majority; but there
are two yacancies-Mr Grain, OF the
Eleventh Texas District. and Mr.. Boatner,
of the Fifth Louisiana-leaving the actuai
membership, 355. Of which lIs Is ma
jority. 4,
The ruling causing Mr.. Richardson, OF
Tennessee. to question the Speaker re-
earding IL, saying that 1t was In connict
with a ruling made by him in the Fifty
first Congress, and asking II II was the
intention to reverse that.
sneaker Reed responded that 1t was
his intention to make the ruling as an
pounced AT the close OF the Fifty-hrst
Congress he had put in the Record his
views upon the question OF the compost
t,on of a quorum. When the question
nresented itself to the Chair for deci-
sion there was much confusion, and IL
came up suddenly. Out or apunoaht
caution. the Chair then decided that 100
members constituted quorum, a ma
iority of the full number OF members, IN
stead of 164-a majority OF the actual
membership.
In the expression Of views which the
Sneaker made. as published in the Record
at the end of that Congress, he adopt
ed the practice of several bodies-no-
tabiv that of the Senate, under the
lead of the late Reverdy Johnson. whose
reputation as lawyer had always
stood Highland stated his belief, which
was his present, that 164 members, ana
not 1SS. constituted quorum or the
House: In other words, majority or
the actual membership. The decision re-
eerred To by the gentleman from Ten
nessee. said the Speaker, was one against
himself and his side Of the House. Mr.
pichardson assured the Speaker that he
had no criticism to make of the present
ruling: II was only because or It's re-
versing the former ruling that he had
called attention TO II.
Before the bills were disposed OF Mr..
Talbert DemocraU was heard from.
Rising to a parliamentary inquiry, the
south Carolina Representative asked IL
under the existing conditions
The Speaker: The gentleman VIII con-
fine himself to the parliamentary IN
quiry. m L. ,,,,
Mr.. Talbert: I will try to do So put
The sneaker: The Chair will answer
q nar,iamentary inquiry. but not a
premise. ..
ost, ,o Law aside a bill on the ground
that II Is an outrage!
The Sneaker: II viii not
Mr. Talbert was continuing to denounce
some Of the bills. but the Speaker Sharply
rapped him to order. and sterniy notined
him 10 take his seat when declared TO De
out of order. ,,,
Irnon the passage OF the pending bill,
Mr.. Talbert asked II II was IN order 10
move to amend the title.
1t was. and he moved that IL DC Inade
to read: .,, :.
"a bill not to pension Mollie Crandall."
"Can l be heard on tnat moton' Mr.
Speaker" he asked.
Not under the rules OF the House. was
the response. Q4aughter).
The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Erdman DemocraD, OF Pennsyl-
yanIa. succeeded In heading OF one bill
by demanding an engrossed copy. II
could not be furnished. Of course, and
had to be laid aside.
THE CUBAN RESOLUTIONS.
Thirty-eight bills were passed in an
hour and half. and then at 30 O'Clock
MIR. Hit called up the report OF the
conference committee on the Cuban reso-
lutions. the report recommending the