The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-12
RULES OF THE LOWER HOUSE.
THE COUNTING OF A QUORUM IN
DER DISCUSSION AGAIN.

representative wheeler Attacks Its
ConstitutionaIity-An Amendment
voted DOwn-An Attempt to Aboi-
ish Memorial Services Over De-
ceased Members Defeated-Mn0y OF
the Committee Amendments
Agreed To.
Washington, Jan. 1.-THE House to-day
proceeded at once to the consideration of
changes in the code of rules proposed by
the committee. At the suggestion of Mr..
Henderson, the paragraph regulating the
counting of quorum when one fans to
vote on any question, was temporarily
passed.
Mr.. Wheeler moved to strike out the
paragraph providing that ION 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 do not vote. shall be noted by the
clerk and recorded in the journal and re-
ported to the speaker with the names OF
the members voting and be counted and
announced in determining the presence Of
quorum to do business" His first, OBJ
lection to it, Mr.. Wheeler said, was that
il was unconstitutional; and if not uncon-
sttutonal, its operation would permit
the passage of a bill or even a declaration
Of war, in the House by the votes of less
imam majority of a quorum.
Ihe amendment was lost.
Inc committee amendments were agreed
70 providing that previous questions Shall
Re ordered by the votes of majority OF
lAose voting, if a quorum be present;
amendments to the title of a bill or reso-
luton shall not be in order until after its
passage and be decided without debate;
requests for correction of the reference
OF nils and other papers shall be decided
WllHOut debate; motions to refer any
cialm TO the court of claims shall be con-
sldered in the committee of the whole.
Mr. Curtis of New York proposed an
amendment TO substitute for memorial
services over the death of a member in
me course of a. congress resolution re-
lung the services of the deceased, which,
y aqopted by the House, shall be printed
~ the record. This proposed innovation
led to a lively discussion.
m IL was antagonized by Mr.. MeMillin of
H. II hnggssee, Mr.; Morse of Massachusetts,
Mr; Picker of South Dakota and Mr..
Wills of Delaware and was advocated
~ IT'S author, Mr.. Boatner of Louisiana,
Nr. richardson of Tennessee, Mr.. Walk
New York
Mr. Walker raised a laugh by recall
'S me speech of Mr. Morse over the late
representative ONeal of Pennsylvania, a
bachelor of Is years standing, whom he
described as a. married man, whiche was
Increased when he humorously chided
A'os1tlleI LOT dQVOCaLlnS TIE dHleilu-
AeAt It was only a little while ago. he
e5-a' That we We're burning the midnight
~ preparing obituaries of the gentle
lah from Louisiana in anticipation of
rle dread outcome of a recent occurrence
IN his state"
MT VT, Henderson suggested an amend
At to Mr.. Curtis amendment, giving
IleInDers who desired to perpetuate their
isonal tributes to DECEASED associates
ieaye to print
81 ms amendment seemed to Mr.. Quigg
fio rev York to be the most 'oblectiona-
oe thing that could be done. THE most
igtJy practice of the House" he said,
was that of putting into the Record
tt5tngs that never did and never could
N place on the floor"
VT Willis said members spent so much
s aIle saying unpleasant things about one
t5rpther that it would be a prof table
ls 10 get together once in while and
g va an hour or so in saying that which
'as pleasant
ve an amendment proposed by Mr.. Gros-
tior ruI OF Ohio, excluding from the opera
rra t u the rule members who have died
then Sloas 70 this date, was rejected. And
down ne whole proposition was voted
M py 81 to $780,
'o remainder Of the committee amend