Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-14
Business in the Senate at a Stand
still.
TARIFF CONFEREES bad TO COME IN
Effort to Take Up Pacific Railway
Investigation Resolution.
A SEESAW OF ROLL CALLS

In the Senate today Mr.. Stewart (Ney.)
gave notice of motion to reconsider the
action by which the Senate passed the Joint
resolution directing the Secretary of War
to proceed with the construction of a
breakwater. etc. at San Pedro, Cal
MIR. White Cal) remarked that he I'M
derstood the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company had some objection to the reso-
luton. and he said he would move to table
the motion to reconsider when it came up
MIR. Quay Pa) called attention to the alb
sence of a quorum. The call showed forty
Two senator's. three short of quorum
present, and business came to a halt.
"A quorum finally appeared, and business
proceeded.
Mr.. Davis (N1inn.), from the committee
on foreign relations. presented a report on
the resolution recently introduced by Mr..
Berry (ArkD requesting the President to
demand the release of the Competitor
prisoners, held by the Spanish authorities.
MT. Davis simply submitted the report
without comment. and the resolution was
placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Harris CkanD moved to take I'D the
resolution. directing the Secretary of the
treasury TO carry out provisions of the act
authorizing an investigation of the books
accounts and methods of railroads which
have received aid from the United States.
by redeemlng or otherwise clea ring off the
paramount liens. mortgages, etc. The vote
was n to ID. two short of a quorum
The only motion in order was one to adj
1ourn or to summon absent senator's and
sharp parliamentary contest ensued be-
tween those desiring action at this session
on the pending Pacific railroad resolutions
and those opposing this course
Mr.. Gear Qa.), chairman of the Pacific
railroad committee moved to adjourn.
Defeated, 3-35; seven short of Quorum
This necessitated another call of the Sen
CHI
OF a quorum. Mr.. Harris asked that the
sergeant-at-arms be dispa tched for absent
senators.
Mr.. Gear objected
Mr.. Harris then moved that the serpea nj
alarms send for senator's
Mr.. Gear demanded yea and nay vote.
The motion prevailed 80 and the SER
geant-at-arms proceeded to summon absent
senators. In the meantime business was at
a standstill. The tariff conferees finally
came in ard made up those requisite for a
quorum.
Another vote was taken on Mr.. Harris
motion to take up the Pacific railroad reso-
luton, resulting 23-12, ten short of a
Quorum Another call of the Senate fol-
lowed.
The call showed As senators-a quorum
present.
Again the Harris motion to take up the
Pacific railroad resolution was voted on;
resulting 80, sixteen short of a quorum
The seesaw of fruitless roll calls pro-
ceeded for some time
quorum was finally secured. and then
the Harris motion was again put to vote.
Pending the roll call a resolution was
passed allowing the sculptor of the Sher-
man statue to erect studio near the site
of the statue
Conclusion by Mr.. Morgan.
This afforded a text for some structures
by Mr.. Morgan on the deadlock which had
just occurred.
Senate a fn
form. The pending Pacific railroad resolu-
ton. had been unanimously reported from
the Pacific railroad committee, and yet the
chairman Of that committee had conduc ted
the filibuster. 1t was late in the session to
begin operations. Mr.. Morgan said, how
ever. that there was no disposition on the
democratic side of the chamber to retaIiate
against appropriation bills or the tariff bill
when they came before the Senate. Demo-
cratic senators would forbear from resort
ing to this miserable method of filibuster-
Ing. although they might be fully justified
in retaliating.
Mr.. Thurston (Neb.) responded that on all
Pacific railroad debates the Alabama sena-
tor (Morgan) and his associates had in
sisted on occupying all Of the time. When
1t was up at the last session the senator
from Alabama was the only one to object
to his CThurston's) continuing a speech on
the subject.
How many days had you spoken?" ask
ed Mr.. Morgan.
Not one-tenth of the time occupied by
the senator from Alabama on unimportant
questions" responded MIR. Thurston
SharDly