The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-06-05
CRITICISED BY MORGAN.
The Alabama Senator Called to Or
der for a Vigorous Attack on
the Speakers Rules.

WASHINGTON, May 5O.-A sensational episode
marked the discussion of the tariff bill yesterday
Senator Morgan of Alabama, was called to order
and compelled to take his seat because of the bitter
criticisms which he passed upon the House OF Rep
resentaves for its policy finaction He was called
to order by Senator Hale, who led the anti-Cuban
forces as against Mr.. Morgan in the recent Cuban
debate and the incident called for several minutes
unusual excitement in the Senate
Mr. Morgan enumerated the important measures
passed by the Senate and Enacted on in the House
and the failure to appoint House committees. 1t
had come to the point he said, that the representa-
tives of the people in the other House were con-
vened and dispersed by an automatic resolution,
which worked like door, opening and closing to
the representatives of the people.
Mr. Frye of Maine, said the Alabama Senator was
exceeding to slight degree the proprieties of de-
bate in criticising the procedure in the otherbanch
of Congress.
Mr. Morgan answered that he should be congratu-
lated that his oense slight the evil requires
severe treatment. He then went on with his
severe arraignment of the conditions in the House
of Representatives. 1t had vacated its functions
and abandoned its duty that there was grave
question, Mr. Morgan said, whether Congress was
now in session. 1t was shocking outrage Cd the
government and people of the United States and
it brought Congress into deserved and sovereign
contempt Here were hundreds Representatives
"chewing the cud of reflection and standing
around until one man said they were to act.
The Congress of the United States was dishonor-
ing itselfby submitting to such fragrant wrong
This course he said was all in the interest of the
tariff bill, and one man commanded "pass this bill"
''stand and deliver" Popular representation in
the House of Representatives was dead, Mr. Nor
md Irb rnnraSpntntiOu
was dead, the rights of the people were dead.
Mr. Hale here interposed point of order against
Mr. Morgan's language saying that the Alabama
Senator was violating a fundamental rule as to re-
framing from criticism of the coordinate legislative
body.
The chair was temporarily occupied by Mr. Gal
lnger of New Hampshire who promptly requested
Mr. Morgan to take his seat pending determine
ton of the question of order.
Mr. Gallinger, from the chair, said there was no
Senate rule on the subject, but Jetferson's manual
adopted by the Senate, declared the rule to be that
it was breach of order to criticise in one house
the votes or actions of a coordinate house. 'The
present occupant of the chair is loath to impress
any views of his own on the Senate" proceeded
Mr. Gallinger but in view of the rule referred to,
the chair is compelled to rule that the point of
order is well TAKEN and the Senator from ALBANIA
must proceed in order"
Mr. Morgan had risen to his feet showing sup
pressed agitation and with slight culver in his
voice appealed from the decision of the chair.
Mr.. Hale promptly relieved the strain by with
drawing the point of order against Mr.. Morgan and
as a result there was no decision from which Mr..
Morgan could appeal.
Mr. Morgan then secured recognition on the tariff
BILL although he continued to pay his respects to
the House of Representatives. He still showed
evidence of the feeling resulting from the ruling of
the chair.
He proposed, he said, to initiate an inquiry as to
whether the Congress of the United States is now in
session and whether under those circumstances.
the Senate had a right to proceed with the consid-
Grafton of the tariff bill If the House was not in
session constitutionaly then the Senate could not
be in session, they were legislative partners.
The Senator insisted that the House was not in ses-
sion and had not been in session for weeks He
paused to ask the presiding officer (Mr. Gallinger)
if this line of debate was in order but the former
replied that he would not rule on hypothetical
question but would decide if point of order was
raised
Mr. Morgan went on to say that he thought the
point or order by Mr.. Hale was due to the latters
fear that he (Nr Morgan) about to refer to the
Cuban resolution.
ut is the first time in service of twenty years,
said Mr. Morgan, that have been called to order,
but feel no humiliation for have been seated by
a republican for defending the constitution.
Mr.. Gallinger, from the chair, assured Mr.. Nor
gan that it had been with extreme reluctance that
the chair had made the ruling.
Mr.. Morgan continued his arrangement of the in
action of the House and its automatic trap-door
resolution for adjournment" He insisted that it
was illegal and unconstitutional in the last degree
and that as result Congress is not now in session
constitutionally and in accordance with law.