The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-05
HOPKINS BILL TAKEN UP
Democrats Gain Their Point Against
the 0lmSted Resolution.
The Rcarportionmcnt Measure Aim
ing mt the representation of Four
Debate, Referred to the Census
Committee on Motion of Its Author

on thursday by MI. OlmSteQ looking 10
reduction of the Congressional representa-
ton of those States which have re-
stricted the right of suffrage for Other
causes than for participation in rebellion
or for crime, in violation of the Fourteenth
| Amendment, was finally referred to the
Committee on Census yesterday. Its con-
sideration was ordered by yea and nay
vote, and after the debate allowed under
an order for the previous question its
author. without asking a vote, moved its
reference to the Committee on Census,
and 1t was so disposed Of Debate was
then begun of the general question of ap-
portionment, Mr.. Hopkins, Chairman of
the Committee On the Census, making a
| two-hour speech in favor Of his COM
| mittee's bill providing for :, continuance
of the present membership of the House
357. Mr.. Shafroth briefly opposed it, ad-
| Vocating the passage of the Burleigh bill
| making the membership 3s5. No agree
ment was made to close debate, and the
indications are that it will run until next
Tuesday or Wednesday.
Ir. Olnsted, author of the Reappor-
tionment resolution which precipitated
asking for recognition Immediately upon
the House being in readiness to proceed
with public business.
Mr.. Lacey was recognized to present
concurrent resolution asking for the Ie-
turn by the President OF a bill passed by
the Senate and House providing for sur
vey of certain public lands in Nebraska
and in which bill an error had been made
This resolution was adopted.
Mr. RurtOD was
sented the River and Hsrbor Appropria-
tion bill.
Mr.. olmsted. who had been upon his
feet during this time, was then recog-
nized.
Point of No Quorum.
The Speaker pro tempore had scarcely
said the gentleman from Pennsylvania" )"
and page had darted toward Mr.. Ohm
sted. when Mr.. Underwood arose far back
on the Democratic side and said: "Mr.
Speaker, l make the point that there is
no quorum present"
The Speaker pro tempore said: THE
Chair will count" Mr.. Olmsted resumed
his seat with tired air. The Speaker
pro temDore announced after the count
1i2 members present-not a quorum.
Mr.. Underwood moved that the House
adjourn. Before the question could be
put steele asked Tor the yeas and
nays, which were ordered
The roll call developed much more than
a quorum present. resulting yeas SO. nays
l03. present Il. so the House refused to
adjourn.
Answering question by Mr.. Underwood
Speaker pro tempore DalZell stated that
the pending business was a vote by yeas |
and nays en- the question of considering |
the resolution offered on Thursday by the |
stcd).
Mr.. Richardson asked Mr. OImsted If at |
this juncture he would not consent TO a ref
erenee Of the resolution to the Committee
on Census. in the interests OF the conser-
vation of time.
Mr.. Olmsted replied that he had Sc |
riously in mind making such motion
when the House should have voted to
consider the resolution. but the first thing
necessary was to order its consideration.
Mr. Richardson asked II Mr.. Olmsted.
in view of that condition of mind would
not consent to let the resolution be dis
posed of as suggested. and thus save
time. a roll call would consume forty
five minutes unnecessarily
Mr.. Olmsted said the Republicans we're
prepared to take all the responsibility
that properly belonged TO them on that
score.
Mr.. .Richardson-Then ] trust the gen
-leman will absoive this side of the House
rom the charge Of wasting time.
Mr.. Olmsted-l have made no charges
but If there is a shoe that fits ANYBODY
re is at liberty to wear it.
Consideration Ordered.
The vote on consideration was yeas 1O7,
lays 81
Mr.. olmsted moved the previous ques-
ion on the passage of the resolution.
Mr.. Richardson moved to commit to
he Committee on Census. The Chair rul-
d that this motion was not in order.
Mr.. Underwood moved that the resolu-
ION be indefinitely postponed. This was
lso declared to be out OF order. On put
ing the motion for the previous question,
he ayes mad it under the ruling of the
hair. Z
Mr.. Underwood called for a division and '
he vote was ayes Ga, noes 72. The Dem {
Gratis won and Mr.. Olmsted called for the |
eas and nays. This was ordered by bare 7
) sufficient number of Republican votes. q
Mr. Richardson moved that the resolu-
ion be laid on the table. This motion the l
peaker pro tempore ruled. was out of or a
er, and during a slight parliamentary l
'rangle between Mr.. Richardson and Mr. I l
'imsted. the Chair ordered the Clerk to Il
all the roll
The vote upon ordering the previous | e
uestion was SO close-l00 to gg-that I
hen the Clerk gave the result to Speak
+ pro TEN. ia. zell he ordered 4 recapft-
lation. This having been made, Mr..
carson of Nortl Carolina, saying that y
e had reason to believe that when the
iestion OF apportionment was under con- !
deration an opportunity would be given
II debate, he changed his vote from nav L
yea. {,
Mr.. Allen called attention to the fact II
rat he had voted yea but had not been g
corded. v
The result was then announced-yeas \
2, nays 9S. so the previous question u
as ordered. d
Debate on the Resolution. u
At this point in the proceedings general q
sbate on the pending resolution was be- n
IN. Mr.. Shattuc was the first to take the n
oor on time yielded by Mr.. Olmsted. and a
this time he sent to the Clerks desk p
I'd had read resolution on the subject :,
apportionment, which he had prepared. ii
ID which, he said by the consent Of Mr.. $
msted, would go with the one pending p.
fore the House to the Committee on
.e Census. The preamble of Mr.. Shat dl
cs resolution sets forth that the States al
Massachusetts, Maine. Connecticut. al
California. Louisiana. Mississip- ! u
North Carolina, South Carolina, Wyom- II
&, and Oregon. and other States. by the OF
'ovisicns Of their constitutions and III
a;utes and for reasons other than par "
cipation in rebellion or other crime deny M
e right to vote for members OF Congress OF
Id Presidential electors. as well as the 10
.ecuJive and Judicial officers of such ri