The news & observer., 1898-03-26
REEDS OLD TRICKS AGAIN
HIS INFAMOUS GAG RULE is DE-
NOUNCED.
DEMOCRATS GET EVEN BY FILIBUSTERING
TelIers Are Denied -McMiIin and Bland
Make Denunciatory Speeches Demand
of Chair is Repeed as an
Insult by Bailey.

Washington, d. c., March 25.-The
stirring scenes of the Fifty-first Con
gress when members of the minority
were charging down the aisles protesting
against the rulings of Speaker Reed,
were recalled today in the turbulent pro-
tests made by the minority against Il
ruling of the chair during the considera-
ton of the Naval Appropriation bill.
The ruling in effect compelled members
to confine their remarks under the five
minute rule to the subject before the
House, and was made against Mr.. Hart
man. (Silver Republican, Montana.
who attempted to make a political
speech.
Mr.. Bailey moved that he be allowed
to proceed in order" The motion was
opposed by the majority and defeated
81 to no..
The minority then inaugurated a fil:-
buster, demanding n vote by tellens on
the pro fornIa amendment to which Mr..
Hartman had been speaking.
Mr.. Payne made the point that the
demand was dilatory and was sustained.
The chair also sutained a similar point
against an appeal. A moment later,
when another demand was made for
tellers, and it was denied, Mr.. Bailey
denounced the ruling. IF you do not
permit lbs to verify" he declared, you
destroy the last safeguard Of the minor
ity. A dishonest man in the chair, and
there have been dishonest men in the
chair. could defeat the will of this
House. | am frank to say that my pur-
pose in inaugurating this filibuster was
to consume twice as much time as you
denied the gentleman from Montana
and | intend TO do it every time you
DENY a reasonable demand" Demo
cratic applause.)
Denunciatory speeches were made by
Messrs. McMillin. democrat. Tennes-
seeI. and Bland, democrat, Miss0uri)
The chair finally announced that he
did not desire to deprive any member of
a right honestly demanded. If the gem
tleman from Texas would state that the
demand for tellers was made in good
faith, he would entertain the demand.
Il repel as an insult" retorted Mr.
Bailey, ''that demand from the occupant
of the chair. The chair has no right
to ask me to disclose my motive, and
you and all the power behind you can
not compel me to say what my mo-
tives are" democratic applause.l
Thereupon the chair insisted upon
his ruling, and the reading of the bill
proceeded. At the end of the first
paragraph read Mr.. Hartman again
offered a pro forma amendment, and
after some predatory remarks in de-
nunciaiion of what ne characterized
as an attempt to throttle free speech"
was proceeding with the speech he
began hours before when he was again
called to order.
Every expedient was resorted to to
block progress with the BILL As a re-
suit but four pages were disposed Of
Before the bill was taken up for amend
ment Mr.. Foss, Republican. illinois,,
a member Of the Naval Committee, made
II general speech in advocacy of the
policy of building up a strong and pow
erfHl Navy.
Mr.. Pearson. Republican, North
Carolina). denied a charge made by a
North Carolina paper that he had
abused the franking privilege.
At 5:05 o'clock p. m, the House ad-
journed.