The times., 1897-05-31
Is Congress Legally in Session?

Is Congress Legally in Session?
For daring TO speak in defense OF the
Constitution OF the United states against
its impudent and fragrant violation by
Thomas Brackett Reed, OF Maine, in sup
pressing the House of Representatives, Sen
ator John T Morgan, Of Alabama, in the
Senate Oh Saturday last, was ordered to
take his seat
Senator Morgan was subjected to this
discipline under point of order made by
Senator Eugene Hale, OF Maine, who as
serted that the remarks Of the former
amounted to reflection upon another body
OF the Congress The autocrato OF that other
body was concealed in the cloakroom while
Senator Morgan was speaking, but where
be distinctly could hear what was trans
Iiring in the chamber
We are only sorry for one thing in con
neetion With the episode, and that is that
Senator Gallinger happened to occupy the
chair, and felt compelled under the rules
of the Senate TO act as ne did. He had
the grace and good sense to express his
sorrow that he must rule as he believed
thetechnicalities OF the situation demanded.
Acquiring Senator Gallinger OF inten-
tional wrong, and thanking Senator Hale
for once more entering the ring, in which
we earnestly hope he VIII remain in evi-
dence, VIC desire to call attention 30 the
startling gravity of the declaration and
from Alabama Senator Morgan warned
the Congress and the country that the
course OF Mr.. Reed in adjourning the
House from last Thursday to today, in the
absence of a quorum, was clearly in VIOLA
tion OF the Constitution. He asserted, what
has long been apparent TO the public, that
the House was not organized according to
the Constitution or the rules OF that body.
1T is matter OF serious Doubt he said,
"whether or not today Congress is actually
In session; whether or not one OF the
Houses has not abandoned its constitu-
tional post and duty and has not with
drawn itself from the session of Congress
and thereby worked a dissolution of the
whole Congress-" He continued:
AIr President, IL is shocking outrage
upon the Government and people of the
United States tits q letting down in the
estimation or the people and of Congress
itself OF the sense of duty that ought to
inspire both these houses, which brings the
Congress OF tile United States into deserved
and sovereign contempt Here are hun
drcds of men assembled IN the city of
Washington, chewing the cud OF reflection
or sucking their thumbs, standing about
and waiting for word upon the lips OF
single man to determine whether they shall
have voice and exerciselt in the govern
ment OF tie United States, and whether, in
fact, they shall have any OF the powers OF
Representative OF their States or districts
The patriotism OF the American people as
they are exhibited under these very pecu-
liar, dshonoring, and trying circumstances,
is or Itself an example that our children
may have to point TO some OF these times
ln order to escape from greater evils than
any that are now in contempla ton But,
Mr.. President, we are pushing that idea
OF patriotism too far when we ask il to
submit To the technicalities of a mere rule
at the arbitrary disposal OF single mind
Senator Morgan gave notice that he pro-
posed TO institute an inquiry as to whether
the Congress of the United States is now in
session, and if not so, then whether or
not the Senate had right to proceed with
the consideration of the tariff bill.
We repeatedly have warned President
Mckinley that his environlng trust. monop-
oily, and Spanish bondhoiding influences
we're digging deep pit for him, and here
1t is. The right and only thing for him
to do under the circumstances is too ohyious
for discussion. AS matter of course, it
would include qnashing one Of the most
sweeping indictments against his Admin
istration by which we mean Thomas
Rracxett Reed
Fish and Flesh.