The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-26
Representative Hartman Oh
Montana, Sat On
Repeatedly by the Speaker OF
the House.
HE WANTED TO TALK.
Making the Naval ApprOpria-
ton Bill Discussion
A Pretext For Delivering a
Political Speech.

Washington, March 26.-The stirring
scenes Of the fifty-first congress when
members Of the minority were charging
down the aisles protesting against the
rulings of Speaker Reed, were recalled
yesterday in the turbulent protests
made by the minority against the rul-
ing of the chair during the considera-
ton of the naval appropriation bill.The
ruling IN effect compelled members to
confine their remarks under the i've
minute rule to the subject before the
house and was made against Mr.. Hart
man (Slver Rep, Month, who at
tempted to make a political speech
The ruling was denounced as usurpa-
ton, and appeal after appeal was taken.
When all else failed, every e&peQleIlL
was resorted to to block progress with
the bill. AS a result but four pages
were disposed of. Before the bill was
taken up for amendment, Mr.. Foss,
(Rep-, III, a member Of the naval
committee, made a general speech IN
advocacy of the policy of building up OF
a strong and powerful navy
Mr.. Hartman created the diversion
which caused the blocking of business
during the rest of the day by delivering
a five minute speech satiriZing the Re
publican party, and when, under cover
Of a second pro fOrma amendment, he
attempted to proceed, Mr.. BOuteue call
ed him to order. He made the point
that Mr.. Hartman's remarks were not
pertinent to the amendment A lively
parliamentary Wrangle followed, when
the chair sustained the point of order.
After the debate on the appeal had
run on for an hour, Mr.. BOutelle moved
TO close the debate on the appeal IN
stantly a point of order was made
against Mr.. BOutelle's motion, which
was OVerruled. Party feeling ran high.
The vote was taken on Mr.. BOuteIle's
motion to close debate on the appeal,
and carried, III to 95.
The vote then came upon the appeal
from the decision of the chair, and the
chair was sustained, 120 to 90.
Mr.. Hartman, after this two hours
Wrangle, again got the floor and was
proceeding with the speech which had
been interrupted. when Mr.. Boutelle
again interposed a point of order. 1t
was again sustained, and when Mr..
Bailey again appealed the point was
made that the appeal was dIlatOry and
the chair declined to entertain the ap-
peal
Mr.. Hartman then changed his tao
tics and arose to a. question of personal
privilege.
Mr.. DingIey made the point that no
question Of privilege could be raised in
the committee of the whole.
Pending a decision upon Mr.Dingley's
point of order, Mr.. Hartman was al
lowed to proceed. but Mr.. Payne OBJ
jected, WhereupOn, with flushed face,
Mr.Hartman shouted out that he would
refuse to be intimidated by the gentle
called him to, order and the chair order
ed him to take his seat.
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 Inaugural
ted a hlibuster. demanding a vote by
tellers on the pro forma amendment, to
which Mr.. Hartman had been speaking.
Mr.. Payne made the point that the
demand was dilatory and was sustain
ed. The chair also sustained a similar
point against an appeal. A moment Ia
ter, when another demand was made
for tellers and 1T was denied, Mr.. Ball
ey denounced the ruling. IF you do
not permit US to verify the count" he
declared. you destroy the last safe
guard of the minority. A dishonest
man in the chair, and there have been
dishonest men in the chair, could de-
feat the will of this house I am frank
to say that my purpose in inaugural
ing this flibuster was to consume twice
as much time as you denied the gentle
man from Montana and intend to do
At every time you deny a reasonable de-
mand. Democratic applause).
Denunciatory speeches were made by
Messrs. AIcMillin CDem. Temp, and
Bland (Dem. MOI.
The chair finally announced that he
did not desire to deprive any member of
right honestly demanded. If the gen
tleman from Texas would state that the
demand for tellers was made in good
faith he would entertain the demand.
4 repel as an insult retorted Mr..
BAILEY, that demand from the Occu-
pant Of the chair. The chair has no
right to ask me to disclose my motive,
and you and all the power behind you
cannot compel me to say what my mo-
tives are" Democratic applause).
Thereupon the chair insisted upon his
ruling and the reading of the bill pro-
ceeded- At the end of the first para
graph read Mr.. Hartman again offered
a pro fOrma amendment, and after
some PREDATORY remarks in denuncia-
ton of what he characterized as an at
tempt to throttle free speech was
proceeding with the speech he began
hours before when he was again called
to order.
Mr.. Hartman was obliged to take his
seat while the confusion and the pre-
urinary struggle went on At last Mr.
Bailey moved that Mr.. Hartman be
permitted to explain. The motion was
defeated 1O4 to 116 Debate was then
closed on this paragraph and as soon
as the next paragraph was read, with
a dozen Democrats on their feet de-
handing recognition the chair recog-
ntzed Mr. BOutelle, who moved that all
debate on the paragraph be closed.
How can debate be closed before it
IS begun2" asked Mr.. Williams (Dem.
Mtss-), amid laughter.
The turbulent scenes continued the
rest OF the day, the minority resisting
every step in the progress of the bill
Only four pages were disposed of.