The herald., 1897-05-07
IN THE HOUSE
Reeds Policy Of Inaction Is Formally
Endorsed

Reeds Policy of Inaction Is Formally
Endorsed
WASHINGTON, May 6-The Repub-
licans of the House today followed up
their recent Endorsement of Speaker
Reeds policy of postponing the appoint
ment of committees by establishing the
policy of bi-weekly meetings, through
the adoption of of resolution moved by
the committee on rules that the house
shall meet on Mondays and Thursdays
until further action. On this resolution
the democrats and populists were solid
ly arrayed against the republicans and
it was adopted by a vote of 101 to SO af-
ter partisan debate. The opposition
led by Mr.. Bailey of Texas, was based
on the ground that the program would
prevent consideration of the Bankruptcy
bill.
Mr.. Bailey said that since the repub-
licans had been in absolute control Of
the house he had believed it proper for
the democrats to do nothing to hasten
partisan legislation as the tariff bill
which had been passed.
There could be no excuse for refusal
to consider the bankruptcy bill. 1t
would bring relief to the thousands of
worthy men throughout the country
and infuse new activity in many COM
munities
Mr.. Bailey predicted that if the re-
publicans brought forward any bank
ruptcy bill it would be the Torrey bill
and ended by declaring that he would
never vote to adjourn except from day
to day until the bankruptcy bill has been
acted upon.
1t was denied by Mr.. Dalzell that tn =
rule had any bearing on the bankruptcy
bill. He explained that the republicans
proposed to await the return of General
Henderson who had charge of the bank
ruptcy bill in the last congress. He noti-
fled Mr.. Bailey that the republicans
were responsible for the bankruptcy
bill
Mr. Bailey reminded him that the
third. democratic house, had
passed bankruptcy bill which he con-
sidered better than the Nelson bill. Mr.
Bailey asked if Mr.. Dalzell could give
assurance that the republicans would
give an opportunity to consider the Nell
son bill to which Mr.. Dalzell replied
that he could give no assurances for the
party.
Mr.. Bailey offered to support the re-
solution if the republicans would pro-
mise that the bankruptcy bill might be
considered.
Mr.. Grosvenor Of Ohio, Rep, ques-
toned the good faith of the democrats
in expressing desire to pass the Ma
son bill
McMillin of Tennessee (Dem.) made 4
short but fiery speech against the reso-
luton. Addressing the speaker, he said !:
"The country remembers how you revo-
lutionized the practice of the govern
ment in the Fifty-first congress by new
rules that you might do business, and
now, having secured the rules by which
to do business, you refuse to let the house
do business
The discussion drifted into an infor-
NAL one, in which Mr.. Bailey Mr. w. A.
Stone of Pennsylvania, Mr.. McMillin
and Mr.. Williams of Mississippi took
part.
Mr.. Clark of Missouri (Dem) in an
amusing speech inquired why, if the Re-
publicans never shirked action, as Mr.
Grosvenor declared, they did not pass
money bill. as they had promised in
the campaign. and answered: Because
you dare not"
Republicans had prated about Demo-
cratic incompetency because the Dem
ocratic house had 603 amendments to its
tariff bill rammed down it's throat.
"Sweet is revenge; you'll have to
swallow a thousand" he shouted. GAS
603 is to a thousand and odd, so is Demo-
cratic incompetency to Republican in
competency"
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois (Rep.) said that
the tariff bill had been sent to mo Mans
Land" referring to the senate, and he
was in favor of doing nothing not abso-
lutely necessary to carry on the govern
ment until that measure was disposed Of.
A motion was maze by Mr.. Wheeler
of Alabama (Dem) to recommit the res
olution to the committee on rules, with
the instructions to report whether it was
not in violation of the section of the con-
stitution governing the adjournment of
congress. but this was lost.
Mr.. Bailey offered substitute provid-
ing for the consideration of the bank
ruptcy bill on May Gath. which the
speaker declared out of order.
A motion to recommit was lost, SO to
1O5. The Democrats and Populists were
solidly arrayed against the Republicans.
The resolution from the committee on
rules was adopted by party vote, 10l
to SO, present and not voting IA.
BARLOW'S BREAK
WASHINGTON, May 6.-After the
adjournment rule had been adopted,
Barlow Of California, Populist, asked for
consideration of resolution calling on
the Secretary of War to communicate
to the House, at the earliest date prac-
ticable, what, If anything, had been
done toward building a harbor of refuge
and commerce at San Pedro, Cal, as
provided for by law, and if nothing had
been done. why the law has not been
carried out, and how soon bids will be
invited for the prosecution of said work,
as contemplated in the statute making
the appropriations therefore,
Barlow was proceeding to explain,
with some heat, that the Secretary had
refused q personal request for this in
formation. to which Barlow thought him