The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-04

frage he said IL could not intelligently
perform the duty required Of 1t in making
apportionmenJ. If States had already
thus restricted suffrage, there had been
an invasion of the rights of other States,
and there was an unconstitutional repre-
sentation in the present Congress. Re
garding the matter of privilege. Mr.. Ohm
sted quoted a number OF decisions. but
added that he was content to rest it upon
the constitutional mandate. The resClu-
tion had been offered he said in conolu-
sion, largely because the Chairman of the
Committee on Census. in answer to an en-
quiry yesterday, had stated that the COM
mittee had no data upon the question of
restriction of the suffrage. In view Of
that fact the author said it was perti-
nent.
Mr.. Richardson said he had no desire TO
reply to the argument Of Mr.. Olmsted,
further than to say that the resolution
could OF be brought within the constit
tional mandate. 1t was merely a matter
of investigation of allegations that might
or might not be found to be true.
Mr., Mahon asked Mr.. Richardson how
Congress could act as required by the
Constitution until it had been Informed
whether or not the right of suffrage had
been restricted.
Mr.. Richardson replied that the only
question before the House was whether or
not the resolution was privileged upon III
PRODUCTION. Let ii go to committee,
and IL no action be taken within week
then Ii becomes privileged. and can be
taken up. l do not say whether or not
Congress should make an investigation;
that is another matter"
OyerruIed by the Speaker.
Speaker Henderson overruled the point
of order. Quoting the fourteenth amend
ment to the Constitution. which he had the
Clerk read, the Speaker said:
This is a most important section, and
gravely touches the very vitals of the Re
public as such, and makes mandatory upon
Congress certain things that may be done
by Congress If certain conditions exist
This resolution alleges that certain things
exist expressly provided for by the section
just read by the Clerk. The resolution and
the preamble must be considered together
What is the object of the resolution pro-
yiding for the investigation to be made by
the Committee on the Census? 1t is to
ascertain the truth of these facts and lay
them before Congress so that proper ac-
tion may be taken by this body.
Can any wiser course be suggested for
carrying out the clear mandates of the
Constitution than by the provision of this
preamble and the resolution? The grave
charges are made and the resolution to
carry out the proper investigation and
treatment is before us. The whole matter
waving all discussion OF the rules of this
House, comes under the higher rule than
Our rule, the constitutional rule which is
here absolutely mandatory and the Chair
Is unable to see why We should wander
even among the precedents which the Chair
has looked over to some extent, and which
are all one way, when we have the plain
language of the Constitution before us
The resolution is evidently carefully drawn
In pursuance of the language of the Con-
stilutlon The Chair only hopes that he
WI. never have occasion to settle more
oihcuit question tBan this, which seems /
very clear. The point of order Is not sus- |
tained'
AT this point Mr.. Underwood raised the i
question of consideration. The question |
being put. the ayes had it. and On a |
division being called for by Mr. Under |
wood, the vote was 69 for consideration
and 70 against Mr. Olmsted demanded
the yeas and nays, and a sufficient num-
Der OF Republicans arising. the roll call
was ordered
Inc result was yeas 81. nays. So. present /
D. The Speaker announced no quorum
and directed call of the House
The vote on the question Of considera-
tion was along party lines. Republicans
fayoring il. and the result was achieved
by reason of Republican absenteeism or
Indifference, th-ir majority of % being
-l E.llea t-a tn.... FNre alb
trH. Jutelle |
-. As' Bros Bur-
t-ir Ca.nern New
EaH.aE re nnsyl
rec'a w Jer-
Fer -.r-lel H. Haw-
bog. E0leerer. KuuF a. ls husetts, |
L1sirer. LcIdensIsE1r AcCi0ary, Met
..ar u. t-r-ae .i,uteIt Morgan I
of Ohio. Needham. UJJen. s..l...' Of New
Jersey. Prince. Russell, Showalter, Smith
of Illinois, Sprague. Stevens of Minnesota, |
Thropp. Wadsworth and Waters of Cali
fornia-36.
Democrats-Barber OF Pennsylvania,
Bradley of New York. Brewer OF Ala
bama, Caldwell. Catchings. CASTOR, Gayle
GlynE. Levy. Lewis of Georgia, May
Meekiscu, Quarles, Sheppard of Texas,
Stallings, Wilson of South Carolina. and
Ziegler-17.
Silver Republican-Wilson of Idaho.
Messrs. Landis and Mann, Republicans,
answered present.
When the vote had been announced Mr.
Underwood moved that the House adjourn.
The ayes having the decision, Mr.. Ohm
sted demanded division resulting for ad-
iournment II. against adjournment 81.
Mr.. Olmsted demanded the yeas and nays
and "A Republicans sustaining him, the
roll call was ordered. This resulted yeas
~. nays IS, present 10. The House at 2:01
D D'elost zf3,oIrned until noon today
:, - oimsted said the fight on the re
aaDestionment proposition VIII be renew
ed today.
EEaURTEs FROM PFTTrGBEw