Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-12

the Journal, and reported 10 the speaker
with the names of the members voting
and be counted and announced In de-
termining the presence Of quorum to
do business" His FIRST objection to It,
Mr.. Wheeler said. was that 1t was un-
constitutional: and. II mot unconstitu-
tional, its operation wbuld permit the
passage OF bill, or even declaration OF
war. in the House. by the votes OF less
than a majority Of n quorum. The mo-
ton was lost.
The committee amendments were agreed
to providing that the previous ques-
ton shall be ordered by the votes or
n majority OF those voting II n quorum
be present; that requests for correc-
ton of the reference Of bills and other
paper shall be decided without debate,
and that motions to refer any claim to
the Court of Claims shall be consld-
cred In Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Curtis Uepublican). of New
York, proposed an amendment to substi-
tute for memorial services over the
death OF a member in the Congress
resolutions 'recitng the services of the
deceased, which. II adopted by the House,
shall be printed i'm the Record.
AN INNOVATION.
This proposed innovation led to a live
ly discussion. II was antagonizeC by
Mr.. McAiillin Oemoc-aO. Of Tennessee;
Mr. Morse Republcan), of Massachu-
sets; Mr.. Pckler Republican). OF South
Dakota, and Mr.. Willis Republican).
OF Delaware: and was advocated by its
author; by Mr.. Boatner OemocraO. OF
Louisiana; Mr.. Richardson DemocraD.
Of Kentucky and Mr.. Quigg QRepubli-
cam, OF New York.
Mr.. Walker raised a laugh by recall
t..sr - T. tl..
late Representative O'Neill. OF Penn
sylvania, bachelor of 20 years stand
ing. whom he described as married
man, whichswas increased when he hui
morously chided Mr. Boatner for advo-
eating the amendment.
1T was only little while ago." he
said, that we were burning the midnight
oil preparing obituaries of the gentleman
from Louisiana, in anticipation OF the
dread outcome of a recent occurrence in
his State"
Mr.. Henderson suggested an amend
ment to Mr.. Curtis's amendment, CIV
ing members who desired to perpetuate
their personal tributes to deceased as
sociates leave TO print.
This idea seemed to Mr. Quigg Re-
pubiican), Of New York. TO be the
most Objectionable thing that could be
done. THE most petty practice of the
House." he said. was that of putting into
the Record things that were never
done. and never could take place.
Mr.. Willis said members spent so
much time saying unpleasant things
about one another that It would be
profitable thing to get together once in
a while and spend an hour or so in say
ing that which was pleasant.
An amendment proposed by Mr.. Gros-
m n "
from the operation of the rule members
who have died previous TO this date was
rejected. and then the whole proposition
was voted down-3l TO l3o.
RULES AGREED TO.
The remainder of the committee amend
ments were agreed to. as follows:
Making it possible TO change the rules
without previous notice; regulating the
privilege of the floor, granted to the
representatives of the press associations.
and striking out the regulation govern
ing the printing of documents that have
been covered in the new printing law.
Mr.. Wanger Republican) of Pennsyl-
vania, proposed TO re-enact the rule OF
the Fifty-third Congress by which the
privilege of the lobby in rear of the hall
of the House was given TO newspaper
correspondents. but Mr.. Henderson op-
posed it, on the ground that the lobby
should be preserved for the comfort ana
convenience of members only. Mr. Wan
gers amendment was iost-T 20 ~.
He then made the point OF no quorum
whereupon, amid laughter OF. the menu
bers, the Speaker proceeded to count
those present TO determine whether or
not a quorum was present.
zone hundred and ninety gentlemen
are in their seats" he stated-a quorum.
The noes have it, and the amendment is
Loss
Mr.. Morse Republican,. of Massachu-
setts. got the floor to state that the sug-
gestion regarding his eulogy upon the
late Representative O'Neill, OF PeDnsyl-
yania that he was mistaken regarding
the family relations of the deceased was
not warranted by anything in the eulogy
itself.
A number of unavailing efforts were
made by members 10 secure amendments
10 the rules Among them was one by
Mr.. Turner Oemocrap, OF Georgia, TO
retain the provision making a majority
of the whole membership quorum OF
the Committee of the Whole. This had
been the unvarying rule. save In The
Fifty-first Congress, when quorum OF
the Committee of the Whole was fixed at
100. and that number is Incorporated In
the present Code.
AT 3:45 o'clock. on motion OF Mr.. Hen
derson. the House adjourned until Mon
day.
The Senate was not in session to-day.
EDIsON's TRIBULATI0Ns ENDED.