The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-12
THE DEMOCRATS REQUIRE A QUORUM
TO Be PRESENT
SHIPPING BILL DISCUSSED
Brings Out Some Harsh Language and
a Bit of Comedy - Tillman
Makes Some Characteristic Remarks.
Little Done at This Session-Senate
Passes the Pension Appropriation
Bill-Rapid Increase In Government
Expenses.
SENATE.

AA30 W. ICY <LAA ArA S~NOAo NOddS Il
The pension appropriation bill appro-
priating s144, OOO, 900 was passed after al
few minutes consideration.
Senator McLaurin. of South Carolina,
presented the certificate of re-electionI
of Hon. B. r. Tillman. as a United
States senator.
The ship subsidy bill was then takenI
up.
Senator McLaurin, of South Carolina.
spoke in support of the bill, basing his
advocacy of the measures upon thel
theory that its passage would benefit
the cotton growing interest of thel
southern states. He cited the ACTON of
the Southern Cotton Spinners' Associa-I
ton at Charlotte, N. c., in urging Leg
islation of the character purposed inI
the pending bill.
Senator Mallory said in reply to Sen
ator McLaurin that his opposition tol
the bill was based upon the opinionl
hat it would not do what it professedI
to do in aiding American shipping.
Senator McLaurin said that he him.
self felt that the bill gives too
much to high speed vessels and heI
hoped it would be amended.
Senator Morgan. of Alabama, asked
Senator Allison for an estimate of the
total appropriations for the next fiscal
year.
Senator Allison said he thought a fair
estimate would be $3.50 900, 900.
Senator Cockrell, of Missouri, thought
the tide was rising rapidly. I'VE are
getting into a very current of expendi-
lures" SAID he.
YES" said Senator Hale, the tide
is gaining rapidly and before we NOW
1t we will have a billion-dollar session
instead of billion-dotlar congresses.
concerning which We heard so much
talk a few years ago." Senator Hale
went on to say tina the military budget
of the United States, including the ex-
penses of the army and the navy and
the payment on account of PENSIONS,
would amount to $500, 900, 600. nearly
twice as much" he said, "as is paid by
any European country"
Senator Morgan then spoke for five
hours. He urged hat the shipping bill
be committed to the committee to be
re-caSt in order that it's constitutional
and other imperfections might be cor
rected. He said it was now being con-
sidered not on it's merits. but as a par
ty measure.
AT $50 O'Clock a recess was taken till
8 o'clock D. m.
When the senate at
o'clock the galleries were crowded.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, imme-
diately suggested the absence of a
quorum. Thirty-siX senators re-
sponded to their names-not a quorum.
Senate Jones instantly moved that
the senate adjourn. but withdrew the
motion when Senator Sewell, of New
Jersey. demanded that the %absentees
be called. The presence of only forty
one senators-four less than a quorum
was developed by the call.
The attendance of ~forty-siX senators
was secured at SIS o'clock and Senator
Teller, of Colorado. entered an earnest
and emphatic protest against the hold
ing of night sessions with a view to
advancing the shipping bill.
Senator Jones'. of Arkansas, declared
that night sessions were not In the in
terest of public business.
Senator Chandler said that during
Senator McLaurin's speech today there
were only five democratic senators in
the chamber.
There are only five democratic SEN
ators present now" suggested Senator
Aldrich.
Senator Tfllman. Of South Carolina
I'VE lave got enough to attend to
YOU" (Laughter).
Senator Jones suggested no quorum,
but fifty three senators responded to
the roll call.
Senator Turley, Of Tennessee, assert
ed that the men who were to derive
the benefits from the measure had been
we'll fixed.
Senator Tillman aid. owing to COM
mfttee work he did not know much
about the measure. but sit seems that
the further we go the louder it stinks."
He said the International Navigation
Company a received from the gov
eminent 81. 700. 900 for the use of four
of its ships as auxiliary cruisers from
April to August during the Spanish
American war.
Again, when Senator Tillman broke
into Senator Turkeys speech the chair
demanded that he observe the rules OF
the senate.
Il beg the chairs pardon said the
South Carolina senator. Il am simply
worked to death getting up at Z O'Clock
in the morning and seeing that such
steals as his do not go through. I'm
a little off tonight. but I'm neal enough
on the handle to fight this bill for an
other MONTH"
A bit of genuine comedy was inter
jected into the proceedings at this
point, the participants n the bright
c~olloQuies and flashing repartea being
Senators Turley. Tillman, Spooner
Chandler and Pettigrew. The scene de-
veloped from the vain efforts of the
SlAo AAo 01C " lLuuCS
senators to gain his recognition before
addressing the senate.
Senator Teller made the concluding
speech. He criticised Senator Frye fol
not answering as he had promised the
speech of Senator Turner.
1.-The senator from Maine" ~retorte6
Senator Frye, holly, vii interpret hi:
own duty without any assistance from
the senator from Colorado"
The pending Aldrich amendment
providing that vessels of 1S-knots anC
over shall receive q subsidy of one an6
six-tenths cents per gross ton, wa:
adopted.
Senator Jones moved to adjourn. Or
the yeas and nays. the motion was de.
feated-2e to %.
Senator Jones Immediately made the
point of no quorum and a roll call fol.
lowed, showing only thirty-nine sen.
ators present.
Senator Frye then moved an ad-