Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-08

WASHINGTON. April THE House
acted promptly to-day on the Presidents
message. and adopted joint resolution
authorizing the Secretary of War TO eX-
pend 100000 for the relief of the flood suf-
ferers Of the Mississippi valley. The most
interesting feature of the session was q
passage between Representative Simpson,
Of Kansas. Populist, and Speaker Reed.
Mr.. Simpson gave voice 10 the opposition
TO the Speakers temporary policy of in
action which has been smouldering in
some quarters. by speaking to question
of privilege. He finished a fiery denuncia-
ton of the Speaker by demanding that he
appoint the committee of the House at
once. and gave notice that he would pre-
vent any more attempts TO do business by
unanimous consent. Several Republican
members attempted TO stem the tide Of
NIr. SIMPSONS attack. but Mr.. Reed SEEM
cd TO desire to hear il and declined 10 in
terfere. He listened calmly 10 the speech,
and then. with his usual GOODNESS and
mcidity replied that the Speaker was
merely the instrument of the House, that
he had enforced what he supposed TO be
that the House had power to command the
Speaker if it disapproved of his course.
The Republicans expressed their approval
by a round a hand-clapping.
The Mississippi sufferers having been
disposed of. Mr.. Simpson, Pop., Kas.),
furnished the House with entertainment
Mr.. Simpson had endeavored TO secure the
floor Immediately after the routine busi-
ness. announcing that he desired 10 speak
IN q question of the highest privilege. 4
have read an article in the Forum by Sen
aror Hoar which reflects on the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES and as a member OF the
House. 1 desire to enter my protest.
.I represent "a large district" shouted
the Kansau. "and the refusal OF the
Sneaker to appoint the committees Of this
House deprives me and my constituents
of the right TO do business. 1 propose 10
rise here and protest against this auto
cratic dictation."
In the Fffty-frst Congress the power OF
the minority to protest had been taken
away and the Speaker given veto power
Mr.. Simpson continued. II was unsafe 10
give one man such power. for where one
despot of one hundred might use his power
wisely. the other ninety-nine would prove
bad despots.
There was a profound silence when
Speaker Reed began TO explain his policy.
He said that so far as the power OF the
Sneaker is concerned. every one who has
made the subject a matter of cOnsidera-
tion understands that his power is solely
the power Of the House. and the House can
az any moment change the action which
its representative sees fit to indulge in.
There are about a hundred and fifty
new members in the House. Under ordin-
arv circumstances the chair has time from
the fourth day of March until the first
Monday i'm December TO obtain iuforma-
tion in regard 10 his fellow members; but
under the present circumstances there
has been no opportunity.
The chair is sorry to see that any gen.
tleman in the House has lent himself to
the suggestions which are sometimes
made outside Of the House with regard to
the power of the occupant Of the chair.
If the House thinks that any conduct Of
the chair is net carrying out its wishes
is not acting as its representative, the
remedy is in the hands of the House at
any time: and the chair cheerfuliy well
comes any action on the part Of the
TIouse. whose representative he is. pro
longed applause on the Republican side)
At 1:2O p. m. the House adjourned until
Saturday.
Cuba and the flood sufferers divided at
tention in the Senate to-day. The reading
OF the Presidents message was followed by
the passage of q joint resolution appro-
priating $4,000 for the Mississippi river
and Red river Of the North
Mr.. Morgan. of Alabama, resumed his
speech I'm support of the resolution de-
clarinC that a state of war exists in Cuba.
1t was uneventful and failed to develop a
renewal of the sharp personal conflict mel
dent 20 the debate yesterday.
President Mckinley affixed his signature
10 the resolution for the relief of the Miss
issippi flood sufferers shortly before two
o'clock this afternoon. and Immediately
ioined Mrs. Mckinley and the other mem
hers of the party for the trip down the Po-
touac. In the White House carriage were
the President and Mrs. Mckinley. Mrs.
S,xtor and a maid. The second carriage
was .occupied by the Presidents secretary.
Mr.. and Mrs. Porter. These and DR.. Bates
the Presidents physician. and Mrs Bates.
composed the party. DR.. Anderson, who is
attached to the Dolphin. will also make
the trip. There were few people at the
White House at the time, and the depart
ure was without incident The baggage Of
the party had preceded them by a half
hour. The trip will be made in the L. S S.
Dispatch. The exact time of the Presi-
dents return is not known. but if the
weather. continues good and Mrs. McKin-
Isv's health seems 10 be benefited by the
trip it is probable the party will not re-
turn before the last of the week.