The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-05
SUFFRAGE AGITATED
oIATsTIcAD RESOLUTION DISCUSSED
IN HOUSE.
WENT TO CENSUS COMMITTEE.
THE DEBATE Conducted WITH
MUCH FRANKNEsS.


Doubtful If Information Demanded
Can he Secured for Use at This
Session.
Washington, Jan. 4.--The House to-day
had another spirited struggle over the
Olmstead resolution to investigate the
abridgement of the suffrage in certain
Southern states with a view to reappor-
tionment upon the actual basis of suf-
rage. 1t was finally referred to the Cen
sus Committee, where the opposition de-
sired 1t to go originally. Some of the Re-
publican leaders were not in sympathy
with the resolution and gave their sup
port to the reference on condition that
that would by the final outcome Mr..
Olmstead tried to get Mr.. Hopkins to
agree that the committee would consider
the resolution within a week but ;he
chairman of the Census Committee de-
clined to make any pledge to that ef-
feet, although he said the committee al
ways did it's duty. The debate upon the
resolution was marked by exceeding
frankness. Some of the Southern mem
bers avowed that the attempt to enfran-
failure and the action of certain states
in legally eliminating the blacks as fac
tors at the polls they said was in the in
terest of civilization and progress
Mr.. McDermott of New Jersey, in the
course of his remarks, asserted that every
state in the Union either added to or sub
tracted from the constitutional require
q
ber to show to the contrary one that did
not. After the resolution had been thus
disposed OF, the reapportionment bill was
taken up and debated by Mr.. Hopkins OF
Illinois and Mr.. Shafroth of Colorado. An
attempt to agree upon time for a final
vote on the bill failed, although the gem
eral impression is that the debate will
conclude early next week.
Mr.. Burton of Ohio presented the river
and harbor bill In order to clear the way
for Mr.. Olmstead of Pennsylvania. who
was seeking recognition, Mr.. Graft of IL
linois, chairman of the Committee on
Claims, after stating that it was appar-
ent that no claim bills could be consid-
cred to-day (this being the day set aside
under the rule for their consideration
asked unanimous consent to postpone the
regular order for to-day until next week
Mr.. Swanson of Virginia objected
The Speaker pro tenn. n.was then about to
recognize Mr. Olmstead when Mr.. I'm
derwood of Alabama headed him off with
the point of no quorum. The House was
counted, but there were only 142 members
In the hall. The Speaker was about to
direct a call of the House when Mr. I'M
derwood interposed with a motion to aA.
Journ ana the hlbbuSter was on. The vote
was taken by ayes and noes. The mo-
tion to adjourn was defeated So to 108
The Speaker pro TEN. held that the pend.
ing question was the vote on the question
of consideration raised against the Ohm
stead resolution yesterday. Leaders on
both sides had agreed that the resolution
should be recommitted. Mr.. Richardson
the minority leader, formally proposed
that this course be followed. Mr. Ohm
stead replied that he would consider the
proposition after the House had voted TO
consider the resolution. The roll was
called
The House voted 1903 to 81 to consider
the resolution, whereupon Mr.. Richard
son moved to recommit the resolution to
the Committee on Census. Upon Mr..
Richardson's motion Mr.. Olmstead de-
manded the previous question. Mr. I'm
derwood attempted to interpose motion
to postpone consideration of the resolu-
ton indefinitely but the Speaker ruled
this motion out of order. Upon a rising
vote the motion for the previous question
was not sustained. "a to 73, but Mr. Ohm
stead Immediately demanded the ayes
and noes, which were ordered. Several
Republicans remained seated both on the
motion for the previous question and on
the demand for the ayes and noes Mr.
Richardson tried to interject motion to
lay on the table, but it was ruled out of
order.
The action Of the minority leaders had
angered Mr.. Olmstead and instead of ac-
quiescing in the motion TO recommtt he
had now resolved upon direct vote upon
the adoption of the resolution.
The vote on the previous question was
close. Before II was announced Mr.. Pear
son of North Carolina, who had voted
no." changed his vote 90 "aye," stat
ing that he made the change as he had
reason to believe that the resolution
would be recommitted, The previous ques.
ton was ordered 102 to 9S. This gave
twenty minutes debate on side.
MIR. Shattuc of Ohio read a resolution
upon the same subject which he had in
troduced and which he said he was will
ing should go TO the Census Committee
with the Olmstead resolution. lie explain |
ed his object was that the reapDortion- |
ment might be based upon the constitu- |
tional provisions.
"Is II the gentleman's idea that the m
formation he seeks to elicit can be OBJ
tained for action at this Congress?" asked |
Mr. Pearson Of North Carolina.
IT think So replied Mr.. Olmstead
'I am informed at the census bureau
that this information will not be avail
able in the next ninety days" stated Mr..
Pearson.
Mr. McDermott of New Jersey cited the
constitutional requirements that voters |
shall be males. p years of age, citizens
Of the United States and citizens of the
states, and asked II there was any state
in the Union in which additional qualih-
cations TO vote were not required.
"There are ten additional requirements
in North Carolina" interposed Mr.. Pear
son.
''The object OF this resolution is to in
uuire into that subject" said Mr.. Ohm
stead.
Mr.. Underwood of Alabama made a
warm speech IN opposition 10 the resolu-
ton He had hoped, he said, that such |
a resolution would not appear In the !
House. The real purpose OF the Four |
teenth amendment had been TO enfran-
chse the negro. II had failed. The If |
teenth amendment had been successful |
for time but In the end It had proved |
a lamentable failure. Both amendments |