The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-11
The Ex-SOckIess PopuIist Said There
Was No Quorum i'm the House, but
the Speaker Counted One.
END OF THE ONE-MAN REVOLT
AGAINST MIR. REED FOR NOT AP-
POINTING THE COMMITTEES.
Combination Effected by Democratic
Silver Republicans and Populist
Members of the Senate.

WASHINGTON, April IO--Ine Rouse
could not resist the temptation to indulge
in political debate to-day. as it had no bust
ness on hand. Interest was focused on
Mr.. Simpson, of Kansas, who had an
nounced a determination to obstruct any
legislation attempted without the presence
of quorum His policy was frustrated be-
cause the quorum appeared. Mr.. Simpson
found an opportunity, however, TO reiterate
his denunciation of a concentration of pow
er in the speakers hand. The chaplain
had just finished his prayer, and the clerk
was about to begin the reading of the
journal of the last meeting. when Mr..
Simpson shouted:
mir. Speaker
For what purpose does the gentleman
rise?' Speaker Reed inquired.
ITO make the point that there is no
quorum present" Mr.. Simpson replied.
The speaker thereupon proceeded to count
quorum. There were quite as many MEM
bers on the Democratic side of the House
as Republicans. and several Democrats
who came in late asked to be counted. The
speaker announced: There are Isl men,
bers present. quorum" and the Repub-
leans applaUded.
Then Mr.. Dngley rose to move that when
the House adjourn it be until Wednesday
next.
Mr.. Bailey inquired the purpose of the
motion.
"The gentleman is we'll aware" Mr..
Dingley answered, that there is no bust
ness to come before the House until the APP
preparation bills are returned by the Sem
ate.'
I'VE are not inclined to insist upon the
Republican party legislating," said Mr..
Bailey. I'VE feel that the country suffers
when the Republican party legislates. We
have contended this all our lives, and We
sincerely believe it, We have no desire to
urge the Republican party 10 make laws,
but we desire to understand their policy"
Mr.. Dingley said that the session was
called Tor specihc purpose-to provide sur
hcient revenue to carry on the government.
The House had acted that suggestion.
AS the committees had not been appointed,
there seemed nothing else TO do.
Mr.. Simpson wanted to know whether the
Republicans intended TO have the commit
tees appointed this session, and Mr. Ding
ley replied that he had no authority to an
swer the question; the matter rested with
the speaker.
Mr.. Bailey next took the floor. He said
that If the Republican party thought II
could bring prosperity by increasing taxes
and expenditures of public money IL acted
wisely and patriotically TO do no more. If
that was all the Republicans proposed to do
the Democrats were ready to adjourn as
early and as often as the Republicans de-
sired.
Mr.. Simpson did not indorse Mr.. Baileys
views. The country. he said, was demand
Ing financial legislation. and the Republic
an party should be given chance to show
what il could do and should not sit idly
for two three months. He then repeated
his attack upon the speakers power, de-
claring that the members CT the House by
giving him autocratic power distranchised
the constituents who had elected them.
After Mr.. Simpson had subsidized the
House drifted into a somewhat perfunctory
nOlitical discussion. Mr.. NcRae NDem..
Ala.) called attention 10 the platform prom
ises of the two parties concerning Armenia,
ut is time for the American Congress to
say in no uncertain voice that IL is time to
recognize the Cuban insurgents as belliger-
ents, ard for American citizens to be re-
leased from Spanish prisons, II at the can
mons mouth" he shouted.
Mr.. Walker CRep. Mass.) believed 1T TO be
the sentiment of ninety-nine out of one
hundred citizens that Congress should pro-
vide revenue for the government by tariH
revision before doing anything else.
Mr.. Dearmond Dem, Mo- protested that
for one he should not forego his privilege
of criticising the dilatory conduct of the
majority.
Mr.. Cannon Rep. ILL., decried the idea
that legislation alone could bring pros
perity. The country wanted Congress TO
provide revenue, then TO adjourn and al
low private business enterprises to have
full sway. 1t was an open secret that the
Senate as it was organized could not agree
any financial legislation; The country
did OF want to hear the stale platitudes of
the last campaign Numbered forth in Con-
greSS.
The debate for the Democrats was con-
Guided by Mr.. Bailey. The Democrats, he
said should help the Republican party to
save the country from the consequences of
what that party would do if it was at work.
If the Republicans should agree upon any
financial measure 1t would be one to per-
petuate the national banking system. If
the Democrats should goad the majority to
make the sort of laws they had always de-
nounced, the country would doubt their sin
certy or their honesty and probably both.
If the Republicans failed they might as
well make no nominations. He was con-
fident that they would fail that he wanted
to give them every opportunity to demon
strate what they could do. There was a
short passage between Mr.. Boutelle, of
Maine. and Mr.. Hopkins, of Illinois. Mr..
Boutele desired TO have read TO the House
Secretary Longs letter regarding bids for
armor plate but Mr.. Hopkins objected.
Mir Boutelle appealed 10 the speaker TO
know if there was method by which a
subject of great Importance could be
brought before the house. Printing in the
Record was suggested. but Mr.. Hopkins
objected to this also, and at ITO p. m the
House adjourned until Wednesday.