The San Francisco call., 1897-04-11
STATE
THEIR POL L|C|ES
Dingley, Bailey and Simp-
son Have Their Say
in the House.
Sarcasm of Speaker Reed Could
Not Suppress the Seckless
Statesman.
Nothing Can Be Done by the Repre-.
sentatives Until he Senate Acts
on Tariff. and Appropriations.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. April 10-The
session of the House to-day lasted only an
hour and five minutes. That was long
enough. however, to demonstrate that
Jerry Simpson had chosen an inoppor-
tune time to enter upon a crusade against
the transaction of business by unanimous
consent. More than a majority were
present at the opening when Simpson
made point of no quorum to carry out
the programme outlined by him the other
day, and there is likely 30 be no quorum as
long as ofice-seekers demand assistance
of their Representatives IN hunting
places.
The matter of a quorum being settled.
Dingey, in pursuance of the party's
policy, moved when the House adjourned
it be until Wednesday. This precipitated
debate lasting three-quarters of an hour.
in which several leaders set forth the
views of their respective parties on the
question Of transacting general legisla-
tion. Incidentally there was developed a
serious difference of opinion among the
Democrats, resulting in TIE calling of a eau
Gus Immediately after the House adjourned
to discuss their party's policy, which
lasted until late in the afternoon. A slight
rift in the Republican ranks was also dis
closed by the speech of Walker of Massa-
chusetts, who expressed the opinion that
by special COMMITTEES or otherwise the
House should order an iivestit alton of
the banking and currency system during
the summer and fall, the results to be re-
ported at the reassembling of Congress.
The PoDulists alone showed solid
phalanx behind their leader.
When Dingley made a motion for
three-days' adjournment, Bailey asked
what was the object of the majority.
Dingley replied that the gentlemen well
knew that no business could be done be-
fore the House until the appropriation
bills sent to the Senate had been returned.
81 am not aware" he continued, 'that
any other legislation can at present de-
mand our attention"
simpson thought he saw an opportunity
here to work his scheme, and as motion
was not debatable, demanded the regular
order, suggesting if he could break into
the debate he might be nduced to aban-
don his position.
The Speaker cruelty dashed his hopes
in this direction by dryly remarking, amid
general laughter, that the House might
perhaps prefer the regular order to hear
ing the gentleman from Kansas.
Bailey succeeded in securing a half
hours debate, however, and Simpson had
his say. He said the Populists demanded
a complete organization of the House, so
they might proceed to legislate on the
financial question. He got even with the
Speaker by describing his assumption in
his address the other day, that he
would be Speaker beyond peradventure,
as the greatest piece OF political sooner
ism the country had ever seen."
DingIey set forth the policy of the Re-
publican majority to be TO do nothing
This session except to further consider the
appropriation and tariff bills now in the
Senate when they were returned to the
House, and indulge in such further action
as would meet general approval. "How-
ever" he continued, THAT purpose is
subject to changes"
Bailey expressed the opinion it was now
good policy for the Democrats to concur
in the Republican policy in their action,
as being for the best interests OF the coun-
try.
From this view McRae of Askansas, De
Almond of Missouri and Fleming OF
Georgia dissented.
In closing the debate Bailey gave these
reasons for tavoring his policy: 'Regard-
ing our duties from the highest and broad
est standpoint oil unselishness, 1 cannot
free my mind from the positive convic-
tion that our duty is to help the Republi-
can party TO save the people from Iegisla-
tion they might enact. If they do any
thing it will be to perpetuate the National
banking system and provide for the re-
tirement of legal tender notes.
'The country gave you the power to
pass laws. You have attempted to restore
prosperity by increasing the taxes. II
you succeed 1 want to say to the Demo
cratic party it might as we'll not make
any nom ination for the next Presidential
election. II you fail you might as well not
make any nomination. You have applied
your policy. l am so confident it will fail
I want to raise no other issue, but want
the country to decide between your wis
dom and ours upon measures which you
have already proposed"
The motion that when the House ad-