The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-22
SENATORS RUN
Whenever It Is Proposed to
Discuss Bond Issues.
An Exciting Episode In the
Senate.
HILL GROWS SNARLY
When His Special Charge of
Protecting
The Wall Street Gold Gamblers
Is Assailed.
HILL GROWS SNARLY

Washington, May 22.-The senate had
an hour of much excitement with a re-
sort to obstructive tactics and several
heated personal controversies at a late
hour yesterday. The early portion Of
the session had been given to the rou-
tine agreeing on conference reports on
appropriation bills. At 5 o'clock Mr..
Butler (Pop., n. c. moved to take up
his bill prohibiting the further issue
of interest bearing bonds. Mr. Hill inn
mediately moved an adjournment, Sc
curing an aye and nay vote in order to
gain time. The motion to adjourn was
defeated, WhereupOn Mr.. Chandler fol-
lowed with a motion for an executive
session Mr.. PettIgreW asked leave to
offer a supplementary conference re-
port on the Indian bill. The consent be-
ing given, Mr. Hill Immediately de-
manded the full reading of the report
Ih1S was an unexpected move for de-
lay as the report was very VOlumln-
Gus The presiding officer, Mr. Faux
ner of West Virginia, in the chair,
ruled that Mr.. Hill's demand was reg
ular and directed the clerk to pro-
coed with the reading of the report.
Senators Butler, Stewart and Allen in
terpOsed a chorus of protests. Mr. Allen
said he hoped the senate would not
violate every decency and prOpriety by
these obstructive tactics. What right
have you to the fOOr2' asked Mr.. Hill
sharply, addressing Mr.. Allen person
ally Then, addressing the chair, Mr..
Hill added, He has no right to the
floor
81 have, too declared Mr.. Allen. s'I
have the right to speak and I propose
to do so"
Others have rights as well as you"
responded Mr.. Hill. The tone of the
speaker showed feeling. Mr.. Allen pro
ceeded and said the obstruction was
manifestly aimed at a Populistic meas
ure- 4 am glad it is admitted to be a
POpulistic measure fnterjected Mr..
Fiji E11fInr. ivfarrOGad To a
that the fIhuster would have been
made against the measure whether
urged by a POpuist, Democrat or Re
publican, because 1t prohibited bonds.
At this point a very heated colloquy
occurred between Mr.. Hill and Mr.
Allen. The latter had continued to hold
the floor He spoke with much feeling
saying he had never known the spirit
of unanimous agreement of the senate
to be violated and the senator who
committed such a violation would re-
gret it. L would like to know if the
senator refers to me-" said Mr.. Hill,
quickly There was mOmentary 81
lence owing to the suggestive tone Of
Mr.. Hills inquiry.
What does the senator want to
know for?" asked Mr.. Allen, with equal
significance
Il want to know if the reference is
made to me-" replied Mr.. Hill
I referred to the senator" said Mr.
Allen.
Then I desire to say here" answer
eu MI E1lll SINaSeiyr LIaL the state
ment is false, absolutely false 4 have
violated no agreement and my course
was sustained by the chair
THE senator viii never be able to
convince me- said Mr.. Allen, in some
what subdued tones that he was hon
est in having that report read
4 care nothing about convincing
you, I stand on my rights here said
Mr.. Hill cOntemptuOusly.
The vote was about to be taken when
a snarl of parliamentary obstruction
was interpOsed. For an hour roll calls
and calls of the senate INSTRUCTED bus
mess, a quorum disappearing on most
votes. A privileged conference report
on the river and harbOr bill. not includ-
ing the California items. was presented
and agreed to. Mr.. Stewart protested
against the obstruction Mr.. Gray
moved to adjourn and q standing vote
again disclosed the absence of quOr-
UNI. Mr.. PETER endeavOred to effect
a compromise by having time fixed for
a vote on the bond prohibition, but
there was q. chorus of objections Mr.
Stewart moved that the sergeant-at-
arms be directed to request the pres
ence of senators. The motion prevail
ed and business Of the senate was sus-
pended while the sergeant alarms
looked up the absent senators.
1t was 6.15 when the suspension of
business occurred and the outlook was
for protracted struggle. Senators
strOlled about the chamber or repaired
to the cloak rooms. At 80 it was evil
dent that no action could be secured,
as senators were slipping away from
the building and Mr.. Butler, author of
the prOhibitOry bond bill rose and sta
ted that he would not Inconvenience
senators amy longer tonight but would
continue the contest next day" Mr.
Stewart hurried to Mr.. Buffers side
and suggested that the motion be for a
recess until the following day instead of
for an adjournment Mr.. Butler moved
a recess but the chair held that in the
absence of a quorum no motion could
be entertained save one for adjourn
ment
Then I move to adjourn" said Mr.
Butler, giving up the contest, and at
6.35 the senate adjourned