The record-union., 1897-06-02
LIVELY SESSION In
THE LOWER HOUSE.
The Policy Of Speaker Reed and the Re-
publican Majority
Again Made the Subject of Attack BY
the Minority.
Animated Debate INDUCED in by
Richardson of Tennessee, Simpson
of Kansas, Henderson of iowa and
Grosyenor of Ohio.

WASHINGTON, June There was
a lively session of the House to-day,
at which the policy of Speaker Reed
and the Republican majority was again
made the subject of attack by mem-
bers of the minority Mr. Richardson
CD of Tennessee and Mr.. Simpson
(Pop) of Kansas led the onslaught OF
the minority. The majority position
was ably defended by Mr.. Henderson
(R) of Iowa and Mr. Grosvenor (R)
of Ohio. The appeal of Mr.. Lewis Cd
Of Washington, taken last Thursday,
from the decision of the Chair that
a resolution relating to foreign affairs
did not constitute a question Of privi-
lege was laid on the table, and after
the skirmish over the methods of pro-
cedure three special orders were sue
cessfully adopted, by two of which the
Senate bills making a special appro-
priation for the Government Printing
Office, and for granting the Secretary
of the Navy authority to contract with
any two vessels to carry supplies to
India, We're passed. The other pro-
vided for the consideration of the Frye
bin to prevent collisions upon harbors,
rivers and inland waters of the United
States connected with the ocean, but
Mr.. Payne, in charge of the latter bill,
was forced to abandon it for the day,
to avoid the point of no quorum.
The conference report on the sundry
civil bill was adopted. The compromise
relative to the revocation of President
Cleveland's forest reservation excited
some comment. Mr.. Loud (R.) Of Cali
fornia objected to one feature of the
compromise, but the opposition was
not carried to the point of a division.
Mr. Richardson opened the attack on
the inaction of the House, and pro-
tested vigorously against the present
method of doing business. cat present
We are" he said. with our hands tied,
no committees, none of the convent
ences or necessities of legislation; moth
ing but the Committee on Rules, which
dictates what We shall do and shall
not do. The House never was in such
a dilapidated and disorganized condi-
tion for such a length of time"
How long was it before the commit
tees We're appointed in the Forty-sec-
ond Congress?" asked Mr.. Dalzell (R.)
of Pennsylvania
Congress met on the 4th of March,
and the committees We're appointed in
December replied Mr.. Richardson,
''but Congress was in session only four
days"
THAT is what I wanted to bring
out" said Mr.. DalzeI.
Mr.. Richardson proceeded to recal}
the time which had elapsed in each
Congress before committees were ap-
pointed showing, as he said, that the
period had varied from fifteen to thirty
days.
Mr.. Simpson Pcp) of Kansas re-
marked upon the spectacle presented
by the House, because of the refusal
of the Speaker to obey the rules and
appoint the committees. We must
come" he continued, ''to the Commit
tee on Rules as supplicants. Over g.
500 bills have been introduced at this
session; 1,665 for the relief of old SOL
diers. The Republicans, he said,
"ciaim to be the special guardians of
the old soldiers. Why don't they con-
slider these measures? Then, there is
the bankruptcy bill, for the passing of
which there is a great demand through
out the country
rs there any greater demand now
than there was in the last Congress p"
interrupted Mr.. Watson (R.) of Penn
sylvania-
There is,'' retorted Mr.. Simpson, 'be-
cause the prosperity you promised has
not materialized, and the people now
seek the relief you promised the tariff
would give them through the bank
ruptcy courts" Naughter)
Mr. Terry CD of Alabama con-
tributed some brief remarks to the de-
bate. in which he described the ma
Jority as having laid down and having
been "bucked and gagged" by the
Speaker.
Mr.. Henderson then came forward
with a rather elaborate defense of the
Speaker, and the course of the ma
jority generally. He said that the ma
jority stood ready to finish the work
II was called here to perform whenever
it came from the other end of the
Capitol. The gentlemen seemed to for
get. he said, that a new Congress as
sembled March 4th. called together by
2 patriotic President to meet the con-
dition in the treasury. In nine days
the House had sent a bin which would
furnish ample revenue and gave an
ample balance annually to the Senate.
The majority had discharged its duty.
which was perhaps the chief reason it
did not meet the approval Of the minor
ity
why this hell in teapot?" he
asked. This boiling over from the
realms of Kansas"
In reply to the criticism of Simpson,
he said, it was in a sense true that the
members of the Committee on Rules
were the speakers creatures, but, said
he. every rule was submitted to the
House for its sanction. If the House
was "bucked and gagged" 1t was
bucked and gagged by itself. He in
Weighed against the abuse hurled at
the speaker which he declared was
neither honorable nor consistent with
high dignity. He defended the Speak
er for not appointing committees.
'.It takes time to ascertain the pre-
dilictions and capabilities of members, :
said he. Take the gentleman from
Kansas. Imagine trying to pick out a
place where he could be useful TO his
country. when every time he opens his
mouth he makes the problem more diff
ficult." daughter and applause)
In conclusion Henderson said the
House was waiting TO finish the work