The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-08

that they would fight every proposition
looking to the reduction of represen-
tation from the southern states to the
bitter end.
Several Of the republicans were Sc
Icretly in sympathy with them and
their Indifference to the fate Of the
IOlmsted resolution in the end gave the
opposition the victory Of the day.
Many of them quietly paired with alb
sent democrats. leaving their absent
colleagues impaired.
AS a result when the question OF
consideration was raised against the
resolution it was defeated 81 to 80. AL
tough the vote was a strict party vote,
two republicans. Lands, of Indiana,
and Mann. of Illinois. answered pres
emit, but did not vote. But story of
the defeat is found in the absentees on
both sides who were impaired. Thirty
two republicans were absent n un-
paired against sixteen of the Opposi
ton.
The situation with reference to h
Iapportionment bill Is greatly compli-
Gated as a result of the injection of
the OlmSted resolution.
Chairman Hopkins, however, is conf
dent of victory for his bill. He thinks
the Olmsted resolution may pass in a
full house and that the investigation
may be made, but that the matter will
end there. Irrespective Of the fate of
the resolution. however. he will press
the reapportionment bill and thinks 1t
will pass on Monday. It is possible
he will displace private bill day tomor-
row with his
The resolution was offered 1mmed1-
ately after the reading of the journal.
A Curry ensued o n the democratic side.
MI. Richardson. OF Tennessee, the
minority leader. interrupted the a
ing to ask whether h resolution re-
Quired unanimous consent.
1T does not" replied the speaker. 1t
lis offered as a matter of privilege"
81 make the point that the resolution
does not constitute a matter Of privi-
lege,' said Mr.. Richardson.
The reading a not proceeded far
enough to determine that point" re-
Isponded the speaker.
Mr.. Underwood, Of Alabama, immedi-
lately made the point that there was no
Quorum present.
The speaker glanced bout the
Ihouse. Evidently there was no quorum
Ipresent. The chair will count" he
lsaid. h house was counted and the
speaker announced al present-not a
Quorum.
Mr.. Underwood Immediately moved
Ian adjournment The ayes and noes
lwere demanded and obtained upon this
lmotion. During ther roll call, there were
hurried consultations on both sides of
1.-THE house.
The motion to adjourn "a lost
layes IS, noes IS, answering present
hut not voting II, noted present 4:
total 179. The speaker included him.
self in order &c make up the quorum.
When the reading of the resolution
was concluded. Mr.. Richardson insist
led that the resolution was mot priv
legged He argued that the resolution
should go to Q. committee.
Mr.. Olmsted in reply argued that un-
der the constitution matters affecting
the reapportionment Of representative
were Of the highest constitutional privt-
llege. and he cited an elaborate opinion
iof Speaker Keifer In the F~orty-seventh
congress in support Of his position
Speaker Rainfall. he said. had also held
that an appointment bin was privi-
tier OF the highest privilege.
Mr.. Richardson made a brief re-
tsponse to Mr.. Olmetead. He conceded
THAT a napportionment bill was privi'
LEGGED, but ccLtended that the reso,u.
Ition was simply one OF inquiry to as
certain facts which might or might no
tbe true.
THE resolution clearly recites that
lin Certain states suffrage had beer
labridHed without reduction Of repre-.
lsentatves." ~interposed MI. Oimstead
The whereas makes such an allega
ltton." replied Mr.. Richardson. but tni
resolution is simply one Of inquiry"
How can we apportfon constitution
ally" asked Mr.. Mahon, OF Pennsyi.
wanna. III we do not know the fact.
How can we ascertain the truth Of al
Legations that hundreds OF thousand.
tOf citizens are dAsfranchised?"
"An Investigation can be made" re
Iplied Mr.. Richardson. but it must b.
tmkade in the regular way"
! The speaker then announced that TIT