Omaha daily bee., 1897-04-11
PLAY DAY IN THE HOUSE
Representatives Have Little to Do but Enjoy
Themselves.
JERRY SIMPSON BREAKS LOOSE AGAIN
Makes Another Attack on Speaker
Reed, but Fails to Sustain His
Point of No QuOrum-Po-
litical Debate.

WASHINGTON, April 10.-The house could
not resist the temptation today to indulge
in political debate, as 1t had no business on
hand. Interest was centered on Mr.. Simp-
son of Kansas, who had announced a deter
mination to obstruct any legislation at
tempted without the presence Of a quorum.
His policy was frustrated because the
quorum appeared. Mr.. Simpson found an
opportunity, however, to reiterate his denun-
citation of a concentration of power in the
speakers hand. The chaplain had just fin
shed his prayer and the clerk was about
to begin the reading of the journal Of the
last meeting when Mr.. Simpson shouted:
'Nlr. Speaker -
For what purpose does the gentleman
rise?" Speaker Reed inquired. @'.
''To make the point that there is no quorum
present" Mr.. Simpson replied.
The speaker thereupon proceeded to count
a quorum. There were quite as many mem
bers on the democratic side as on the re-
publican side, and several democrats, who
came in late. asked to be counted. The
speaker announced there are 1S1 members
present a quorum" and the republicans ap-
plauded
Then Mr.. Dingley rose to move that when
the house adjourn, it be to Wednesday next.
Mr.. Bailey democrat of Texas, inquired the
purpose of the motion.
ley answered. that there is no business to
come before the house before the appropria-
tion bills are returned by the senate
BAILEY is SARCASTIC.
I'VE are not inclined to insist upon the
republican party legislating," said Mr.. Bal
ley. 1--WE 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 understand their policy"
Mr.. Dingley said that the session was
called for a specific purpose-to provide suf-
fcient revenue to carry on the government.
The house had acted on 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 committees
appointed this session, and Mr.. Dingley re-
piled that he had no reply; the matter rest
ed with the speaker.
Mr.. Bailey next took the floor. He said
that If the republican party thought it
could bring prosperity by increasing taxa
tion 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 as the republicans de-
sired.
Mr. Simpson did not endorse Mr.. Bailey's
views. The country, he said, was demand
ing financial legislation and the republican
party should be given chance to show what
it could do and should not sit idly for two
or three months. He then repeated his re-
cent attack on the speaker, declaring that
the members of the house, by giving him
power, disfranchised the con-
stituents who had elected them. After Mr..
had subsided the house drifted into
a somewhat perfunctory political discussion
ARMENIA AND CUBA.
NaDa nf Ark
attention to the platform promises of the
two parties concerning Armenia, Cuba and
the restriction of immigration. ut Is time
for the American congress to say In no un-
certain voice that ii is time to recognize
the Cuban insurgents as belligerents. and
for the Americans to be released from Span |
ish prisons II at the cannon's mouth said
Mr. Walker republican OF Massachusetts,,
believed 1t to be the sentiment OF ninety
nine out of 100 citizens that congress should
provide reverue for the government by tarin
revision before doing anything else.
Mr. De Armond democrat of Missouri pro,
tested that for one he should not forego his
privilege of criticising the dilatory conduct |
Of the majority.
Mr. Cannon, republican OF Illinois, decried |
The idea that legislation alone could bring |
prosperity The country wanted congress to
provide reveI ue, then to adjourn and allow |
private business enterprises to have full
sway. 1t was an open secret that the senate
as it was organized. could not agree on any |
financial legislation. The country did not
want 20 hear the platitudes Of the campaign |
Numbered forth in congress.
The debate for the democrats was con |
cluded by Mr.. Bailey. The democrats. he |
said, should help the republican party to |
save the country from the consequences OF |
what the party would do If 1t was at work |
II the republicans should agree on any |
financial measure it would be one to per- |
Detuate the national banking system. II the |
should goad the majority to make |
The sort OF laws they had already denounced |
he country would doubt their sincerity or |
heir honesty. and probably both. II the re- |
publicans failed they might as well make |
no nominations. He was so confident that |
hey would fail that he wanted to give them |
every opportunity to demonstrate what they |
could do |
There vas a short passage between Mr. |
OF Maine and Mr.. Hopkins of Illi- |
nos. Mr.. Boutele desired to have read to |
The house Secretary Longs letter regarding |
bids for arr'or plate. but Mr., Hopkins OBJ |
Iected. Mr.. Boutelle appealed to the speaker