The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-04

tered upon to-day. Immediately after the
reading Of the journal, Mr.. Olmstead, PENN
sylvania. sprang his surprise. The reading
OF the resolution caused furry on the
far Mr.. Richardson. of Tennessee, the
minority leader, jumped to his feet and
interrupted the reading 10 ask whether
the resolution required unanimous con-
sent.
1T does not" replied the speaker. 1T
Is offered as a matter of privilege
81 make the point that the resolution
does not constitute matter OF privilege,
said Mr.. Richardson.
THE reading has pI acceded far enough
TO determine that po.nt, responded the
speaker
Mr.. Richardson took his seat, but before
the clerk could proceed Mr.. Underwood, or
Alabama. was his feet. Il make the
point that there is no quorum present.
said he.
The speaker glanced about the House.
Evidently there was no quorum present
The chair will count" he said
The House was counted and whep the
speaker announced al present-not
quorum-Mr. Underwood Immediately
moved an adjournment. The yeas ard
nays were demanded and obtained on this
motion.
During the roll call there were hurried
consultations. Many of the Republicans
were taken as much by surprise as the
Democrats. The latter were greatly agi-
tated. and decided TO filibuster against the
resolution to the last ditch The motion to
ADJOURN was lOSI-OJ 10 J0-dflS WCIiIE pres
ent. but not voting, IA; noted present, 2;
total, 49, The speaker included himself in
order TO make up the quorum.
The speaker thereupon directed the clerk
to proceed with the reading OF the reSolu-
ton. When it was concluded Mr.. Richard
son again brought forward his point or
order that the resolution was not priVi-
legged.
Mr.. Olmstead in reply argued that under
the Constitution matters affecting the re1
apportionment OF representatives were OF
IL ranl fxrgI ACrE
cited opinions of Speakers keifer and Ran
dali in support of his position. The House,
he argued, could not act intelligently unless
il was advised in what States and TO what
extent the suffrage of citizens OF the United
States had become abridged. Mr. Olmstead
said the resolution touched the dignity
of the House itself. If the suffrage had
been abridged In certain States then MEM
bers were unjustly and unconstitutlonaily
holding seats upon the floor, and this cor
stituted an invasion of the dignity of the
House. The matter dealt with by the reso-
luton might also affect the election OF
President of the United States. a matter
held to be a matter Of high privilege. But
Mr. Olmstead was willing TO rest his case
upon the plain mandate of the Constitution:
Mr.. Richardson, responding, conceded
that an apportionment bill was privileged,
but contended that the resolution itself was
simply one of inquiry TO ascertain facts
which might or might not be true.
1.-The resolution clearly recites that In
certain States suffrage had been abridged
without reduction of representation, IN
terposed Mr.. Olmstead.
Whereas makes such an allegation. "
replied Mr.. Richardson, ''but the resolution
Is simply one of inquiry"
How can apportion conStitutionally,
asked Mr. Mahon, of Pennsylvania, IF
we do not know the facts? How can We
ascertain the truth of the allegations that
hundreds OF thousands of citizens are dis
| franchised?"
IAN investigation can be made" replied
Mr.. Richardson "but it must be made In
the regular way
| The speaker then announced that the
question was clearly settled by Section
| of Article IA of the Constitution, which
he directed the clerk to read. 1t related
| To- the reduction of representation in States
where the suffrage was abridged. The reso-
luton and its preamble, the speaker said,
| alleged that certain conditions existed
which the Constitution expressly prohibit
| ed and it must be passed upon by a higher
| rule than those Of the House-the Con-
stitution of the United States. He said he
never expected to pass upon a question
| more simple. He cverruled the point of
order
Mr.. Underwood Immediately raised the
| question of consideration against the reso-
| luton. On rising vote it stood: yeas,
/ 60; nays, 20. The yeas and nays were
demanded and ordered. The speaker an
nounced the vote-S1 to consider the resolu-
| ton, SO against and present but not vot-
| ing-not quorum. He directed a call of
| the House. pending which Mr.. Underwood
again moved adjournment, which was
carried by a TO IS, and accordingly at .
o'clock the House adjourned.