The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-31

NEUIDdITlCS Z
tiose (which It transpired afterward he be-
lieved at that time contained declaration
OF war;. but he argued that 1t did not pre-
sent question of higher privilege than
consideration of an appropriation BILL, We
could nave war, SAID he whenever we
wanted it, A resolution declaring war was
privileged he admitted.
But this it not a resolution declaring
war" interposed Mr. Bland. ut is resolu-
ton recognizing the independence of Cuba,
which does not necessarily involve war"
If the resolution falls short of that,
replied Mr.. Hull. land | did not hear
that point. it is not operative and
10 my mind it does not present my
question of privilege at all. AS I have al
ment intervening at the very earliest date
unless conditions change materially so that
they will insure the liberty of the Cubans,
and a cessation of the deplorable conditions
that prevail in that island at the present
time Applause on the Republican side.)
am In favor of that principle and state now
and here that | will go as far as any
man OF this floor for the purpose OF pre-
serving the rights of the struggling patriots
in their heroic efforts on that island Cap
plause on the Republican side), and am
in favor of the United States controlling
the dest!nies Of this continent and saying to
Spain that she must get out of the western
hemisphere"
Mr.. Terry Dem. Ark argued that
question involving matter of privilege was
in fact one for the House to decide. While
he was speaking the Republicans were con-
ferTing. The leaders were circulating
among them and such confusion resulted
that Mr.. Simpson pop, Kan.) raised
laugh amid the excitement by asking Tor
order among the speakers reconcentra-
dos
Mr.. Hopkins (Rep., I'D. another of the
Republicans who openly favors armed in
PREVENTION. called attention to the dis
tinction between the resolution in the pre-
cedent cited by Mr.. Bailey and the present
resolution In the former resolution 1t was
contended that the dignity of the House had
been infringed upon by the. executive
There was no such contention mere. Con-
ho annQpIa6
rally to the support of the speaker. fhe
Republican members knew, he said, that
within a brief time action Will be had so
that there was no necessity for resorting to
revolutionary methods.
SPEAKER REEDS RULING.
Amid profound silence the speaker then
made his ruling. He spoke in deliberate,
distinct and emphatic tones, and decided
that the resolution was not privileged in the
following ruling:
"A question of privilege which concerns
the House is one which concerns the exer-
else of it's functions in accordance with the
principles which govern parliamentary
bodies. Every parliamentary. body has 70
have rules for its government, otherwise ii
would have no government at all, and upon
adherence to those rules depends its success
as a parliamentary body. The rights of the
House under the Constitution are in no way
to be COMPOUNDED with the privileges OF the
House and of every member in 1t in the
sense in which this matter is presented here
to-day. Congress has certain powers con-
ferred upon 1t, and in the exercise of those
powers each house is governed by It's rules.
1T is authorized expressly by the Constitu-
tion to make rules, and without the author
ization of the Constitution it would be at
liberty to make rules. These rules are the
protection of the rights of the House. Now
il would be noticed in the Constitution, If
any gentleman will turn to 1t, that there
are certain powers conferred upon Con-
greSS-the power to declare war, the power
to legislate for the general welfare and
man up to this date has for an instant pre-
tended or suggested that because the Con-
gress has the right to pass laws on cerrein
topics that proposals for those laws become
questions of privilege-neyer before except
once-and the chair will present his deci-
1.-The same language is used with refer
ence to oar relations with foreign nations
of the courts of law and all other power
which is concerned. 1t Is a legislative pow
er and is exercised under the Constitution
by rules adopted by each body. This is the
first preliminary idea that we ought to have
in regard to this matter. But this. PROPOSE
ton in regard to war, or about recognition
or any of those subjects which may or may
not be within our purview. do e1ot become
questions of privilege at all because we have
would make everything a question of privi-
lege ana end BY making f nothing question s
PFdSd 6n Np S et us sef wha ths tins rs
should not have given any attention to ex-
cept in times of interest not to say excite
ment. The gentleman from Maine (Mr.
Boutelle) some time ago presented to
Speaker Crisp proposition which had in it
certain elements charging that the execu-
rights and privileges of the legislative body.
The speaker ruled that 1t was a ques-
ee 9 that it is 'ne entirely WI" different
from the present proposition, has no
aspect like it at all; not the faintest resem-
blance to 1t, but the speaker ruled that that
was a privileged question. He also ruled
that, being a privileged question, it should
go to a committee.
Wen now, against that doctrine the chair
has always been opposed. and the question,
as members will see by turning to the
record. that was put to the House was or
that part of the speakers decision as to
whether it should go to a committee or not
and if it appears, as the gentleman from
Texas says, voted on that subject voted
according to my rights and voted against it,
But he has omitted to state to you tina.
this other question, the same question al
most, was put before to Speaker Crisp and
by him promptly decided to be out of order
at an earlier day. on the 30th of July. 1894
The gentleman from Maine (Mr. Boutelle)
demanded its immediate consideration as
presenting a privileged question, ana the
gentleman from Missouri an old and ex-
perienced member (Mr Dockery), made the
point of order that the resolution was not
privileged. daughter and applause on the
Republican side.) Well now, as a matter
of course the speaker sustained the point,
Mr.. Baiiey-May inquire of the chair if
there was any appeal taken on the decision
of the chair?
The Speaker-There was no appeal 1t was
too clear for an appeal even. daughter and
applause on the Republican side)
Mr.. Bailey Immediately appealed from the
decision OF the chair.
In putting the question on the appeal
Speaker Reed made the following slgnih-
cant and impressive statement: rs far as
any question arising out of this matter is
concerned the chair has not the slightest
doubt that the wisdom of the House, which
has always been able to arrive at important
them now and at a speedy time for the oc-
caslon." Applause on the Republican sideD
Mr.. Bailey-In reply to that suggestion,
which was not a part of the decision, or
course / understand that 1t was made to
hold cur friends on the other side. and
venture to say
At this point Mr. Boutelle moved that the
appeal be laid upon the table The division
was eagerly awaited. The Republicans
arose en- masse when the speaker called for
tho yeas The Democrats who anXlouSly
surveyed the solid phalanx for a sign or
break were disappointed A solid minority
vcted against the Republicans. The d.
vision resulted, $50 yeas to l39 nays.
As soon as the result was announced the
yeas and nays We're demanded, and the roll
was called. resulting: Yeas $50, nays l59. On
the roll call two Republicans. Acheson ana
Rohbins of Pennsylvania, voted with the
Democrats. The Republicans enthusiastic
allv approved their victory with round OF
"pi'''-T THE VOTE IN DETAIL.
The detailed vote on the appeal taken by
Mr.. Bailey from Speaker Reeds ruling fol-
lows: