The herald., 1897-04-11
Because They'd Nothing
Else to Do
! HOUSE QUORUM PRESENT
WHICH SPOILED MR.. SIMPSONS
PROGRAM
Lis Objections Didn't Count, for No
body So Much as Pretended
to Do Any Business
A.oci.t.d Press Special wire.

could not resist the temptation to In
dulge in a political debate today, as it
had no business on hand. Interest was
focused upon Simpson of Kansas, who
had announced a determination to OBJ
otruct any legislation attempted with
out the presence OF quorum. His pol
icy was frustrated because a quorum ap-
peared.
Simpson found an opportunity. how
ever, to reiterate his denunciation of a
concentration of power in the speakers
hands.
The chaplain had just finished his
prayer and the clerk was about to be-
gin the reading of the journal Of the
hast meeting. when Simpson shouted:
"Mr. Speaker"
For what purpose does the gentleman
rise?" Speaker Reed inquired
ITO make the point that there is no
quorum present." Simpson replied.
The speaker thereupon proceeded to
count quorum. There were quite as
many members on the Democratic side
as on the Republican side, and some
Democrats who came in late asked to be
counted.
The speaker answered that there were
11S members present-a quorum.
Then Dingley rose to move that when
the house adjourn 1t be until Wednesday
next
Bailey of Texas, Democrat. inquired
/, the purpose of the motion.
"The gentleman is well aware" Ding
ley answered, that there is no business
to come before the hous until the appro-
priations bills are returned by the SEN
ate."
I'VE are not inclined to insist upon the
Republican party's legislating." said
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 to
make laws, but we desire to know their
policy"
Dingley said that the session was
called for specific purpose, to provide
sufficient revenue to carry on the gov
ernment. The house had acted on that
suggestion. AS the committees had not
been appointed, there seemed nothing
else to do.
Simpson wanted to know whether the
Republicans wanted to have the COM
mittees appointed this session, and Ding
ley replied that he had no authority to
answer the question; the matter rested
with the speaker.
Bailey next took the floor. He said
that If the Republican party thought 1t
could bring prosperity by increasing
taxes and expenditures of public money,
1t 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
rs the Republicans desired.
Simpson did not indorse Mr.. Bailey's
views The country, he said, was de-
manding financial legislation and the
Republican party should be given a
chance to show what it could do and
should not sit idly for two or three
months. He then repeated his attack
on the speaker, declaring that members
Of the house, by giving him autocratic
power, disfranchised the constituents
who had elected him.
After Simpson had subsided the house
drifted into a somewhat perfunctory
discussion.
McRae (Ark., Dem.) called attention
to the platform promises of the two par
ties concerning Armenia, Cuba and the
IeStrlctlOn OIL immigration.
'It Is time for the American congress
TO say in no uncertain voice that it is
time to recognize Cuban insurgents as
belligerents and for the Americans to
be released from Spanish prisons, IL at
the cannon's mouth
Walker (Mass., Rep.) believed it to be
the sentiment of 80 per cent of the Amer
lean citizens that congress should pro-
vide revenue for the government by
tarif legislation before doing anything
else.
De Arnold ONO. Dem.) protested that
for once he should forego his privilege
Of criticising the dilatory conduct of the
majority.
Cannon Qll.. Rep.) denied that legis-
lation alone could bring prosperity. The
eountry wanted congress to provide rev.
snue and then to adjourn and allow pri-
vate business to have full sway. 1t is an
open secret that, as organized, con-
gress could not agree upon any financial
1egislation. The country did not want
TO hear the platitudes Of the campaign
laundering forth in congress.
y The debate for the Democrats vas con-
oluded by Bailey. The Democrats. he
oaid, should help the Republican party
to save the cDuntry from the consequent
0es of what the party would do If it were
ct work. If the Republicans should agree
upon any financial measur. it should
be one to perpetuate the national banking
system. If the Democrats should scad
the majority to make the sort uf laws
they had always denounced, the country
would doubt their sincerity, or their hon
esty, and probably both. If the Repub-
licans failed, they might as we'll make
no nominations. He was so confident
that they would fail that he wanAd to
give them every opportunity to illus
trate what they could do. There was a
short passage between Boutelle of Maine
and Hopkins of Illinois. Boutelie desr-
ed to have read to the house Secretary
Longs message regarding bids for ar
mor plate. but Hopkins objected.
Boutelle appealed to the s1eaker to
know If there was no method by which
Z subject of great Importance could be
brought before the house.
+ Printing In the record was suggested.
but Hopkins objected to that also, and
1T 1:10 pm. the house adjourned until
"wednesday.
SENATE REORGANIZATION
4. WARRINGTON. April 1o-with ref
5rence to the matter Of the senate re-