The times., 1897-07-02
Charges the Tyrant Speaker with
Violating the Constitution.
WANTS THE RECORD STRAIGHT
A Strong Denunciation of the Meth
DDS by Which the House Is Being
Recent Municipal Elee-
tioDs Cited as Evidences of the
Peoples Disapproval.

tiiat Il mOtlCn TO correct the JOurIal Oh
the House took precedence over motion
to approve the journal only when it was
made first. Yesterday he was caught
mapping when he recognized MI. Settle
of KentucE Y, for that gentleman was recog-
niZcd before anyone else could get the
floor and sent TO the desk an amendment
10 the Journal. MT. Reed was chagrined,
but he put on the best front possible under
the circumstances. The Record and the
Journal both showed that the House had
adjourned until yesterday, which was an
obvious error, and Mr.. Settles amend
men.. in behalf OF accuracy, was intend
ed to show that the House simply adj
journed and the Speaker declared 1t adj
journed until Thursday. This preicpitated
discussion that lasted for some time.
Proceeding To discuss his amendment,
having won the floor by his parliamentary
Inaneuver, Mr.. Settle spoke for fifteen
minutes and was not interfered with
until he touched upon the political phase
of the case. This brought Mr. DiHgley TO
his feet with an objection, aud although
the Speaker endeacored to enforce the
objections Mr.. Settle proceeded, and the
House was unable To prevent him with
out resort to its usual revolutionary meas
ures. This, apparently, 1t did not dare to
undertake.
Mr.. Settieannounced thathe did not offer
tie amendment in any spirit OF captious
criticism, but because 1t more clearly re-
lated the actual occurrences of last Mon
day than did the journal. He believed that
every member of the House could vote for
III without regard TO party affiliations or
any condition of servitude, previously or
OF present existing. The Record showed
tnat the House adjourned until Thursday.
1t did nothing of the kind; it simply ad-
journed, and the Speaker declared 1t adj
journed until Thursday.
1--WE have protested against this rule
as not only UNJUST said Mr.. Settle, land
against public policy, but as violation
OF the Constitution. We have h right to
show by the records that these Continued
adjournments are in accordance with this
rule.''
Mr.. Settle was admitting that there were
differences of opinion on this subject. eeen
among Democrats, when Mr.. Simpson inter.
ruptcd to say:
'T'd suggest that the Democratic leader
from Texas Mr.. Bailey differs with
you
And 1 would suggest" hotly regorted
Mr.. Bailey. flushing angrly, THAT the
gentleman from Kansas go out and inform
himself"
Continuing, Mr.. Settle said: THE Con-
stitution never authorized either House
TO say what legislative day should be-
If we repeal this rule we adjourn today
until when? Tomorrow? Not by virtue
of any rule, hut by virtue of the written
Constitution. Did the House have any
power to single out two days in the week
and say that upon those two days only
public business should be transacted? /
say not.
Independent of the Constitution, the
construction that has been given by every
Congress shows that ii means daily ses-
sions. Why? In order to expedite the
public business. Less than a quorum can
only adjourn from day to day or com
pei tie attendance of absentees
THAT provision would never have been
inserted if it had been admitted that less
than quorum could adjourn for more than
day. This rule is the most dangerous and
revolutionary measure ever perpetrated.
but do not have the belief that having
adopted it, the present session has come
to 1. close.
Nv cROptiOU vi biilS EulS mas
upthe people. They have been heardfrom,
and their mutterings have reached this
chamber. We ehave been here three months
operating under rule, the avowed purpose
of which is to block legislation, and that.
under 1t, neither the Cuban resolution nor
tile bankruptcy bin are to be permitted
to come up.
I'VE begin to doubt the sincerity Of the
pledges OF the St. Louis convention. Much
was promised for Cuba Calhoun has zone
to Cuba; Calhoun has come back; Calhoun
has gone home; Calhoun has been forgot
ten, and so has Cuba. There has not been
day that the Democrats have not been
willing to vote on this resolution
Despite the representations that had
been made, the Democrats had promised
themselves that that brave people who had
maintained a struggle for two years under
such unequal conditions, are and deserve
to he free" (Applausel
When the applause had ceased Mr.
Steele of Indiana made the point of order
that motion to correct the journal
did rot authorize a gen neral political
discussion.
Mr.. Knowles OF South Dakota sought
to get the floor for question of personal
privilege, but Mr.. Wheeler contended thasa
man could not be taken from the floor
even by question OF personal privilege.
During this little breeze the Speaker sat
silent, and permitted Mr.. Settle to pro
ceed. THE people have their eyes and
ears open,'' continued Mr. Settle. "You
cannot deceive them. They know this
House has outraged every sense of pro-
priety and Justice by the adoption of this
rule. They will hold You to account, and
are now weighing you in the bala ice.
Have you heardfrom Columbus, from oledo,
from Canton?"
Il INSIST, Mr.. Speaker said Mr. Ding
ley, that the gentleman confine himself
TO a discussion of his amendment
1.-The gentleman will please address him.
seif to the question: suggested the Speaker.
Il accept the suggestion of the Speaker
as a ruling replied Mr.. Settle, land
ask If 1 am to refrain from giving reasons
to show the people why we should wipe
this rule out here and now These cleo
lions are but the preliminary to the great
battle of 190O.'
'I object to this discussion," inter-
rupted Mr.. Steele of Indiana
"And / contend,'' said Mr. Bailey, "that
any argument that discredits the rule is
In order
1.-THE discussion here has nothing to
do with the correction OF the Journal,
retorted Mr.. Dingley.
''The difference between the statement
In the journal and The amendment" said
Mr.. Bailey. 'is not very great, and would
not be important, except in view of the
rule, and l must insist that any argu-