The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-04
1T AROUSES DEMOCRATS
The Radical Element of the Republic
cans Suffer Defeat
SOME DEAF TO THE CRACK OF THE WHIP
Consideration of Reso ution Defeated, Though
il May Yet Win in Full House. Mr..
Hopkins Believes His Bill
viii Pass.
lBy the Agsoeiated Pregs.l

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington. Jan. 3.-The radical ele-
ment among the House Republicans who
favor cutting down the representation
from the Southern States in which the
franchise is abridged suffered defeat to-
day because a number Of their colleagues
refused to act with them. The issue was
precipitated quite unexpectedly. The
leaders had decreed that the Reapportion-
ment Bill should be taken up today, but
before it could be called Mr.. Olmsted of
Pennsylvania, offered as a matter Of
privilege a resolution citing the alleged
Arrangement of the suffrage in Louis
lana, Mississippi, South Carolina North
Carolina and directing the Committee on
Census to investigate and report the facts
to the House in order that COnstitu-
tional basis of representation could be
established for those States. The resolu-
ton created a sensation. 1t was a sur
prise even to several Of the Republican
leaders. The leaders on the Democratic
side sought in vain to head off the reso-
luton with points OF order, but the
Speaker ruled against them. Then they
began a flibuster, openly avowing that
they would fight every proposition look
ing To the reduction of representation
from the Southern States 10 the bitter
end Several of the Republicans were
secretly in sympathy with them and their
Indifference TO the fate Of the Olmsted
resolution in the end gave the opposition
the victory of the day. Many OF them
quietly paired with absent Democrats
leaving their absent colleagues impaired
AS a result when the question of consid-
Grafton was raised against the resolution
it was defeated, 81 to SO. Although the
vote was strict party vote, two Repub-
licans, Lands Qnd). and Mann Ulls),
answered present but did not vote. But
the story of the defeat is found in the
absentees on both sides who were un-
paired Thirty two Republicans were abb
sent and impaired, against sixteen of the
opposition. Those absent and impaired
were:
Republicans: Boutlle (Me), Brosius,
Brown, Burkett, Calderhead, Clark On.
H., Dahle, Samuel Davenport, Dick,
Fowler, Gardner IN. j., Hawley, Hoeffec-
ker, Knox, Lorrimer. Loudenslager, Me
Cleary, Metcalf, Miller. Mondell, Morgan,
Needham. Often, Parker, Prince. Russell,
Showalter, Smith Qlls), Sprague, Stew
ems (Mnn.). Wadsworth and Wanger.
Democrats: Barber pa, Bradley, IN
", Brewer, Caldwell, Catchings, CASTOR,
Gayle, Blynn, Levy, May, Meekinson,
Shepard, StalIings, Wilson Is. CO., and
Zegler
Silver Republican: Wilson 0daho).
The situation with reference TO the
ID L.
Gated as a result of the injection of the
Olmsted resolution Chairman Hopkins.
however, is confident of victory for his
bill. He thinks the Olmsted resolution
may pass in 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 it will pass on Monday If possi-
BILE he will displace private bills to-
morrow with his measure.
THE FIGHT ON THE RESOLUTION.
The resolution was offered Immediately
after the reading Of the journal furry
ensucd on the Democratic side.
Mr. Richardson (Tenn.), the minority
leader, interrupted the reading to ask
whether the resolution required unani-
nous consent.
1T does not, replied the Speaker at
is offered as a matter of privilege"
Il make the point that the resolution
does not constitute matter of privi-
lege," said Mr.. Richardson
The reading has not proceeded far
enough to determine that point, respond
ed the Speaker.
Mr. Underwood (Ala), Immediately
made the point that there was no quo
rum present.
The Speaker glanced about the House
Evidently there was no quorum pres
emit
THE Chair will count" he said. The
House was counted and when the Speaker
announced 141 present-not a quorum, Mr.
Underwood Immediately moved an al
iournment Tire ayes and noes were de
handed and obtained upon this motion.
During 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 decided to filibuster to the last
ditch. The motion 10 adjourn was lost,
ayes es. noes SO, answering present but
not voting. IA noted present. 2; total, 40.
The Speaker included himself in order
TO make up the quorum. When the read
ing Of the resolution was concluded Mr..
Richardson insisted that the resolution
was not privileged. He argued that the
resolution should go TO a committee Mr..
Olmsted in reply argued that under the
Constitution matters affecting the reap