New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-02
HIGH JINKS IN THE SENATE.
IF THE MEMBERS DID ANYTHING THEY
DIDN'T KNOW 1T.
,u-rr,R THE ADJOURNMENT THEY WERE TOLD
THEY had VOTED NINE DAYS MORE TO
IEXow's COMMITTEE. But THE
SCENES OF DISORDER.


Albany March 1.-The most exciting incident
the session occurred at the opening OF the
Senate tonight When the journal of Friday s
session was read Senator Cantor objected to its
approval and demanded a rollcall. His purpose
was to determine the presence Of quorum. he
having warned the majority last week when the
proposition for adjournment was under consid-
Grafton that he would insist upon a quorum being
present before any business could be transacted.
This objection to the approval Of the journal
caused some CONSERVATION, and Senators Grady,
Martin and Foley were seen TO leave the chamber
and take refuge in ante-room. The rol!call
was finally proceeded with and only twenty
Senators We're found to be present. The alb
sentees were called again and again. and a few
more Republican Senators came in. but still only
twenty-five responded. twenty-six making a
quorum
Senator Ellsworth. President pro tenn. was In
the chair. He noticed Senator Martin standing
IN the door of an ante-room and directed the
Clerk to record him present and not voting.
This made inst a quorum.
ELLSWORTH COUNTS QUORUMS.
Senator Cantor objected to this direction of the
Chair and the Chair ruled him out of order.
Senator Cantor. the President said, knew the
rules too well to make any such objection.
81 am sorry to see that the President does not
know the rules" Senator Cantors reply.
1.-The Senator has right to talk until he is
recognized by the Chair" said President Ellis
worth.
II suppose, then, would have to wait all
night"
"you probably would, under the clrcum-
stances" said the Chair.
"well. I don't propose to wait" replied sena-
tor Cantor.
There was by this time much confusion. Presi-
dent Ellsworth was pounding for order. and
Senator Cantor was struggling to be heard on
his objection
In the mean time the Governors private secre-
tary. accompanied by the Sergeant-at-Arms Of
the Senate appeared before the bar, and pre-
sented the nomination from the Governor of
Henry Clay Johnson to be member of the
State Board of Mediation and Arbitration.
Senator Cantor objected to the reception Of the
nomination on the ground tha; there no
quorum, but no attention paid to him. and
the nomination was received and referred 10 the
Finance Committee.
The Introduction Of bills was finally called
for, and Senator Cantor again made objection
TO the transaction of business, on the ground
that there was no quorum present
Senator Stranahan moved a call Of the Sen
ate for the first time this session. This, how
ever, found to be unnecessary, as a count
revealed the presence Of thirty Senator'S. Sena-
tor Cantor asked who made the count, and
Informed it had been made by the Chair
Senator Cantor protested and said the Chair
had no right to make personal count and there
by declare quorum to be present His protest
went unnoticed far the presiding officer
was concerned. Senator Cantor appealed from
fbAd aoic{ Of ,on 'boir h. r@o
quorum being present shown by the Chairs
count. In speaking upon the appeal he asked
leave TO make statement, after which the ap
peal was Withdrawn He said he had no desire
10 embarrass the Senate or TO obstruct the trans
action of public business, nor did the minority
have any such desire. He did insist however.
that, inasmuch as the majority had compelled
the minority to be present this week while the
Assembly was in recess. the members of the
majority should be present, and that no business
should be transacted in the absence of quorum.
There no why the minority members
should be compelled TO be present when a quorum
of the Republican Senators refused to attend the
session.
GRADY EFFORTS RECOGNITION
An attempt was then made to proceed with the
order Of business, but Senator Grady promptly
objected and insisted that the roll should be
called to determine the presence of a quorum.
Amid great confusion Senator Ellsworth
peatedly ruled him out of order declaring that
the rules only provided that the presiding officer
should count quorum. which he had done.
Senator Grady continued TO shout for recogni-
tion, Notwithstanding the pounding of the gavel
by the Chair and the continued reading Of the
Clerk. Finally the Chair said that to crafty
Senator Grady he would direct rolcall. This
l>o
present.
Senator Grady then challenged the rocall. and
asked for the appointment Of tellers. He
ruled out of order. Another attempt was made
to proceed with business. but Senator Grady
challenged the reception Of bills upon the ground
that there was no quorum. He was repeatedly
ruled out Of order and finally was forced TO
resort to a motion TO adjourn in order to Sc
cure a rollcall This he did, and as soon as the
rolcall began Senator Grady deliberately
marched out of the chamber There was much
laughter from the galleries when the name of
Senator Grady was called. and he did not an
swer The motion TO adjourn lost.
Motions for recess until tomorrow morn
ing and for an adjournment all made by Sena-
tor Grady followed one another in rapid sue
cesson. An hour thus consumed in roll
calls by the Clerk. During each Of these roll
calls Senator Grady absented himself from the
chamber.
LEXOWS DEMAND FOR TIME.
Finally Senator Lexow secured the recognition
Of the Chair. and moved that the concurrent
resolution extending until March the time for
the Lexow Trust Investigating Committee 10
report which was received from the Assembly
last Friday. be taken from the table. This was
finally done. and the resolution was put upon
final passage.
Senator Cantor said he had hoped that there
would be full attendance Of Senators tonight
TO consider a question Of so great Importance