The record-union., 1896-06-06
Rulings Of Reed Carried Out by Speaker
Pro Tenn. Payne.
Democrats Seek to Prevent Action in
Two Contested Election Cases by
Leaving the Hall and Breaking the
Quorum While a Vote is Being
Taken The Presiding Officer
Promptly Rules That Quorum is
Present and Refuses to Allow an
Appeal From His Decision.

Present and Refuses to Allow an
Appeal From His Decision.
WASHINGTON, June 5.-The record
made by the Republicans in the Fifty
first Congress was eQualed to-day in
one regard, and in another Speaker
pro tenn. Payne (Rep) Of New York
established an entirely new one. AS
on the famous occasion in that Con-
gress when two Demcorats-Venable
and Elliott-were unseated at one ses-
sion, SO to-day two Democrats were
voted out of their seats, and their
places filled by their opponents at the
Congressional election in 1894. AS on
that occasion also, the Democrats
sought to prevent action, abandoning
their places on the floor so as to
break quorum. This was in the case
of Martin Pop) VS.. Lockhart Oem.)
from the Sixth District of North Car
olina, which was discussed yesterday.
Upon a preliminary vote the Demo-
Gratis, after voting, left their seats,
only half dozen remaining Subse-
auently, when Bailey CDem) Of Texas,
who was in charge of the minority in
terests, made a point of no quorum,
pointing to the vacant seats as evil
dence of the fact, Speaker pro tenn.
Payne overruled the point holding that
on the last recorded vote more than a
quorum had answered to their names,
and declined to entertain any appeal
| from his decision. He declared that
the resolution Of the committee that
Martin was entitled to his seat had
been adopted by a vote of 113 ayes to 5
noes, and Martin was sworn in
| This was followed by the considera-
ton Of the report Of Elections Com
mittee No. /, upon the contest of Rim
aker VS.. Downing from the Sixteenth
back to the committee for recount of
the ballots. This recount was COM
pleted yesterday. and to-day Moody
(Rep, Of Massachusetts, in charge of
the case, reported a resolution declar-
ing Rinaker entitled to the seat by a
plurality of five.
| Upon the face of the returns Down
ing had plurality of forty, and re-
ceived the certificate of election. Moody
| stated that, in his opinion, Downing
was entitled to retain his seat, but his
view of the law was not accepted by
the other Republican members Of the
committee, and he frankly confessed
that he did not expect the House to
adopt his opinion.
Mcmillan Dem) Of Tennessee un-
availingly endeavored to secure a post
ponement, but failed. He did sue
ceed, however, in consequence of col
loquy between himself and General
Grosvenor (Rep.) of Ohio, in bringing
about the most violent and disorderIy
scene Of this Congress, being declared
out of order and compelled to take his
seat by the Speaker pro tenn, and GER
tain remarks, which could not be un-
derstood at the desk in the confusion,
being ordered stricken from the record
General Rinaker's right to the seat
was affirmed by vote of 167 to 81
This wiped out the Democratic mem
bership in the Illinois delegation, and
reduced the Democratic strength in the
House to %.
The day began with a two hours
struggle over the adoption of a resolu-
tion introduced by Grosvenor (Rep.) OF
Ohio, and reported from the Committee
on Civil Service, citing the several ex-
ecutive departments to give the changes
in the clerical force since March q. 1899
Much amusement was created by a
colloquy between Grosvenor and Dock
cry over the effort Of the latter to have
the resolution amended so as to contain
the changes of the Harrison Administra-
ton.
I'm its present shape" said Dockery
''the resolution Of the gentleman is open
to the suspicion of being partisan in its
nature. 1t is said that in the Harrison
Administration the Civil Service meas
ure was suspended in order to dismiss
100 employees of the mail service. This
is the suggestion made by the wicked
Democrat from Tennessee, Mcmillan
and no opposition should be offered tc
vindicate the Harrison Administration
from that aspersion."
Grosyenor admitted that Dockery had
correctly designated Mcmillan as 2
wicked Democrat" but insisted that
Dockery's amendment should be kept by
itself. 1T has merit" remarker Gros-
venor, ''but 1 prefer that the pristine
purity of my resolution be not dis
turbed"
The Democrats opposed the passage
OF the resolution, and secured vote by
yeas and nays. 1t resulted. yeas. 40
nays 53.
Dockery then sought to secure his de-
sired end by moving to re-commit the
resolution, with instructions to make II
cover the removals and changes in the
Harrison Administration. Lost.
The resolution was then agreed to-
yeas 147, nays 4S.
Strobe (Rep) of Nebraska demanded
the previous question, the resolution de.
claring Martin (Pop) entitled TO this
seat occupied by Lockhart Demo from
the Sixth North Carolina District. which
was considered yesterday.
1t was ordered, and Bailey Dem ! O,
Texas moved to substitute the resolution
of the minority declaring Lockhart en-.
titled to his seat 1t was defeated-5S
to 155.
Bailey moved to re-commit the case
to the Elections Committee.
On this the House divided-yeas 80
noes 20.
No quorum" said Bailey.
Speaker pro tenn. Payne-The Chair
overrules the point. 213 members having
just voted.