The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-04

Whether Committees Shall at
Once Be Appointed by the speak
er-Housc Decides xo-Hot De-
hate Between Speaker Reed and
Jerry simpson-Lewis Tries TO
Shift the Burden Of His Resolu-
ton to Bailey, bat the Latter
'swiH None of IT. and with
Thirty-two other Democrats
Votes Against II.
WASHINGTON. May 3-'The issue was
made quick. as Speaker Reed put IL in
tne house today. on the speakers policy
OF postponing the appointment of commit
tees simpson of Kansas brought 1t on
py another attack upon the speaker.
which moved Speaker Reed TO challenge
MIN 10 propose resolution instructing
the speaker 10 appoint the committees
The Kansas me mbcr evaded this chal-
!enge, but Lewis. a new Democratic
member from Washington, took up the
gauntlet which the speaker had thrown
down, and moved the adoption of a reso-
luton OF the tenor suggested BY Speaker
Reed. Then Fleming of Georgia offered
substitute embodying the instruc ions
IN diEerent terms, and Mr.. Dingiey. the
Republican leader TO make the issue
plain, as he said. presented another sub
stttute directing the speaker to appoint
committees Immediately"
Nhen the vote was taken on the propo-
sltion the speaker was sustained by prac-
tically the solid vote OF his party. assisted
by thirty-three Democrats under the lead
ership OF Bailey. The resolution was
defeated-yeas 81 nays ia; present and
not voting y. For the first time this
session the factions in the Democratic
ranks were forced 10 put themselves on
record. and thirty-two Democrats, with
all the Populists. supported Lewis Mr..
Low, of New York. Was the only Repub-
hcan TO put himself on record in support
OF the resolution. while eight Democrats
and i've Republicans answered present
but did not vote.
Bailey denounced In strong terms the
spectacle which the Democrats were pre-
senting by their dissensions. Cochran of
Missouri and Wheeler of Alabama of the
Democrats. spoke for the resolutions.
while Dingiey voiced the Republican
policy.
The senate resolution appropriating $50.-
90 for the congress Of the universal postal
union was adopted.
Showalter. the Republican chosen at q
special election 10 represent the Twenty
tfth Pennsylvania district, was sworn in.
There was a stack of newspaper clip
pings on Simpsons desk. which, il ap-
peared. he was determined TO have read.
but Mr.. Dingiey protested that Simpson
had not raised any question OF privilege.
Speaker Reed said that 1T would be an
unsatisfactory doctrina that a member
could consume the time of the house with
innumerable newspaper clippings. and in
cidenialiy remarked that 10 was evident
that newspaper attacks do not impair the
gentlenan's usefulness"
This comment seemed to anger the Kan
san. who began TO declare loudly that he
was not obstructIng legislation, and that
he proposed to show who was obstructing
e. Again Dingiey sought TO cut him off.
and Simpson characterized the Maine
leader as ''one of the dependents OF plu-
tocracy," who was Fastening TO defend
the interests of his friends
Reed warned Simpson that he could not
defend himself by attacking another. TO
which he replied that he must defend him
self however he could. He was proceeding
TO assert that the speaker obstructed leg
isiailon ty refusing to appoint the commit
tees. when Mr.. Reed threw down the
gauntlet TO him.
IF the gentleman will present to the
house a proposition that the speaker has
been dereliet in his duties in not appoint
ing the committees" said the speaker.
seeming for the first time this session 10
be angered by Simpsons attack, ''or II he
will even put It in the shape Of request
that the chair appoint the committees,
and the house sustained his contention.
the chair will appoint the committees
For a moment challenge and retort flew
thick and fast between the speaker and
his opponent.
The passage continued hotiy. the irate
PopuIist charging upon Speaker Reed and
the latter punctnating his attack with the
demand. 'sWilI the gentleman present the
resolution
Mr.. Reed said that since the matter had
taken such form he would put ii 10 the
house whether Mr.. simpson had raised
any question OF personal privilege. The
house decided, by a vote OF IS TO 81. that
simpson had not. whereupon Simpson
subsidized.
Bailey inquired whether the majority
did not intend TO secure an expression
from the house as 20 whether II desired
20 consider the bankruptcy bill. Daizell
of PENNSYLVANIA replied that the commit
tee on rules had the matter under con-
sideration.
While pingley's motion was pending
Lewis. a new member from Washington.
rose to announce that lin response 70 the
kindly suggestion from the speaker he
would present a resolution for the ap-
pointmeut Of the committees. The reso-
luton was cut off however. by the vote
on Dineley's motion. several Republicans
calling for the regular order, whcreat the
Democrats cheered.
The motion Was carried. rs to IS, pres
ent and not voting. IS
The house was then about 10 adjourn
when Dingley and other Republicans be-
gan 70 inquire for the resolution, and Nc
@flHn snd some of his Democratic col
leagues protested that debate was not in
order. which gave the Republicans an
onpnrtunity to laugh
Sneaker Reed again invited considera-
tior Of the resolution. saying:
.sThe chair thinks i desirable, IN Jus
tfce to himself and she house that the
rn,ntrv should know that opportunity
has been given for the consideration of
the suh1ect.'
Opportunity being thus given. Lewis
presented his resolution directing that the
sr,aat<er appcint committees Of the house
T,evyls expressed regret x the resolution
should not he IN harmony with any part
~ ,ha party 70 which he vas aIliesl
enaakirg cnfy for himself Re believed II
n, no the duty % congress 10 give the
c.,,tvt-x- the relief Il demanded. The dele
s.;g.s,, which had recently called on the
snealxe-. the American Federation OF Ia
her had represented that 2oooo people
rrars starving. Any man who shtrke9
action on any policy ot expeeiency was
traitor 70 his duty.
Aeter he had finished his speech Lewis
,ssgrpted 20 shift the conduct OF the
rss,luttou 80 Bailey BY yielding to him
.n. control of the time. but Bailey de-
cssv,aS "a take control and attacked the
-sSo1,stgor, In \ speech which was fre-
gtsnflv applauded by Republicans.
A substitute was presented BY Fleming
~ ts.sa-x5a fer the resolution citing that
-. -. rn-lns a-rna.aa $1,000 II ~ ~