The Portland daily press., 1901-01-04

enough to determine that poins," re-
sponded the Speaker.
Mr.. Richardson took his seat, but be-
fore the clerk could proessd, MIR. Under
wood Of Alabama was on his fest. 81
make the point that there is no quorum
present." he said.
1hs Speaker glanced about the House.
Evidently there was no quorum present.
"The chair will count" he sald. Ths
House was counted, and when the Speak
er announced 14l prssent-not q quorum,
Mr. Underwood Immediately moved an
adjournment. The ayes and noes were de-
manded and obtained upon this motion.
Daring the roll call there were hurried
consultations on both sides OF the HOUSE.
Many Of the Republicans were taken as
much by surprise as the Democrats. The
latter were greatly agitated and decided
to filibuster against the resolution to the
last ditch. The motion TO ad journ was
lost, ayes 6S; noes, e5,answering but not
voting 4; noted present, 2; total 11g. The
Speaker included himself In order to
make mp the quorum.
The Speaker thereupon directed the
clerk 20 proceed with the reading of the
resolution. When II was concluded MIR.
RichardFon again brought forward his
point or order that the resolution was not
privileged. Mr.. Olmstead In reply argued
that under the constitution matters
affecting the reapportionmens OF repre-
ssntativea were OF the highest constltu-
tional privilege and oited an elaborate
opinion of Speaker Keller, In the 47tn
Congress IN support OF his position.
Speaker Randall, he said, had also held
that an apportionment bill was matter
of the highest privilege. His resolution,
he contendsd, seeking as It did TO deter
mine the constitutional basis of represen.
tation, was equally privileged. The
House, he argued could not act iutelli'
gently unless 1t was advised In what
states and to what extent the suffrage OF
citizens OF the United States had been
abridged. MIR. Olmstead said the resolu-
tion touched the dignity Of the House It,
self. II the suffrage had besn abridged,
In certain states then members were un'
Justly and unconstituuonally holding
seats on this floor and this constituted ar
invasion OF ths dignity Of the place.
MIR. Richardon made brief response to
Mr.. olmstead.
The Speaker then announced that tht
question was clearly settled by section
two Of article fourteen of the constitution
which he directed the clerk to read. 1t re
lated to the reduction of representation
in states where the suffrage wa
abrl9ded. The resolution and its pre-
amble eaid the speaker alleged that Ger
tain conditions existed which the const
tuition expressly prohibited and 1t mus
be PASSED upon by higher rule thar
those OF the House the Con stitution o
the United States. He said he never ex
pected to pass upon question NOR
simple. He overruled the poi mt Of order
| Mr.. Underwood Immediately raised tn
question of consideration against tn
resolution. On q rising vote 1t stood
ayes, SO: noes, 20. Tbs ayes and nos
we're demanded and ordered. The Speak
er announced the vote 81 to conside
the resolution, ss against and i've presen
| but not voting-not quorum. He di
rected call OF the House. pending whiol
Mr.. Underwood again moved an adjourn
ment. The rising vots resulted, ayes, f2
noes 81, but MIR. Olmstead demanded tn
ayes and noes which were ordered.
The motion to adjourn was carried z
to 70 ana accordingly at two O'Clock tn
Rousa adiourned