The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-01-21
A TRUMP" HOUSE
TO Be ORGANIZED
At Salem Today BY Those Who Are
Opposed to a Further Blockade.
THE oBsTRUCTING PoPULIsTs
Must Go. or Give Way to Those Who
Want to Transact the Business Of
the People.
Special to the Astorian.

Special % the Astorian.
Salem. January 20.--It is the purpose
Of the Benson men, supported by Sem
atOr Mitchell. 10 attempt 20 organize
the house tomorrow at o'clock. II is
claimed that no force will be used. The
benson men held a protracted caucus
tonight. az which the opinions on the
situation obtained by Senator Mitchell
from Senator Hoar. Of Massachusetts,.
and Senator ThurSton. Of Nebraska,
were discussed at length.
The chances are that there will be a
majority present at 2 o'clock; II so, the
design Is TO go on and attempt to re-
consider the action by which Davis was
chosen temporary speaker. II this is
ruled out Of order (and 1t doubtless will
bel. they will then set up a rum9 or
ganization. They will insist that the
action by which Davis was elected
speaker can be reconsidered by thirty
one. or more members and they will
elect a speaker for the purpose Of tax
ing his place. II Davis refuses To va
cate. they will place the new tempo
rary speaker. who may or may not he
Benson. at the side OF Davis, and they
win proceed TO organize permanently.
despite the protest Davis will no doubt
make. and recognizing their own speak
er only as authority. win proceed TO
business.
A correspondent Of the Associated
Press asked Senator Mitchell tonight
II he was willing to express an opinion
as to the Legislative power Of the house
10 organize and transact business with
a less number present and qualified
than two-thirds OF all the members
elect to the house. He answered as
followE:
While perhaps It is delicate thing
for me TO state an opinion. considering
the position hold as the nominee OF
the Republicans for United States SEN
ator. regard the question as one alb
solutely free from doubt, and as having
been we'll settled by numerous legisla-
tive and judicial adjudications. am
clearly OF the opinion that a majority
OF those elected to the house has
perfect right to organize the house per-
manenuy, and that such house when 50
organized. provided there are present
two thirds of such majority. or two
thirds of the number actually present
and duly qualified. whether the majori-
~. or more than a majority. have a
perfect right, not only TO cast the vote
OF the house for senator. but also a
perfect right to transact any and all
Legislative business pertaining to the
house OF representatives. In order that
might be fortified in this opinion
by the very highest authority in the
United States senate on this subject,
yesterday morning wired the Hon.
George F. Hoar. chairman Of the judi
ciary committee of the United States
senate, and l received today Senator
Hoar's answer. Ii will be seen that
senator Hoar confirms the view have
stated"
Senator Mitchells telegram was as
follows: The legislation Of the state
of Oregon provides as follows: First,
the senate shall consist Of thirty, and
the house of representatives of sixty
members; second, two-thlrds Of each
house shall constitute a quorum to do
business, but smaller number may
meet, adjourn from day to day. and
compel the attendance Of absent men,
bers. Can the house organize perma-
nently, a majority only being present.
and can such house elect a senator
and lawfully do other legislative busi-
ness, provided two thirds OF such ma
jority are present? Thlrty-one Repub-
licans and four Democrats, being all
the Democrats in the house. thirty-five
in all. are now present in the house
ready to organize; while nineteen Popu-
lists being all the Populist members of
refuse to come in and be sworn. While
we believe the house has a perfect right
to permanently organize, providing
thirty-one of such members will consti-
tute quorum to enable the house, not
only to elect a senator. but transact
any and all legislative business, in or
der to avoid any possible friction. the
majority has been patiently waiting
in hope of securing the presence of
two-thirds of all the members elected to
the house before organizing. Any sug-
gestion or advice you are willing to
give for use here will be gratefully
appreciated
Senator Hoar answered as follows:
II think two-thirds of the number ac-
tually qualified make a good legislative
quorum. If only thirty-lve qualify
they may organize and lawfully do
business. The same question and prin-
ciple was settled in the national house
and senate in the time of the rebellion"