The Portland daily press., 1901-01-04
A Surprise To Republi-
can Leaders.
Consideration Was Refused BY
Single Vote.

Washington, JNnuary S.-The radical
element among the House Republicans
who favor cutting down the representa-
tio from the southern states in which
the franchise is abriged, suffered defeat
today because a number Of their cnl-
leagues refused to act with them. The
issue was precipitated quite unexpected
ly. The leaders had decrsed that the re-
spportionment bill should be taken up
today but before It could be called, MIR.
Olmstead Of Pennsylvania offered as q
matter of privilege a resolution reciting
the alleged anrldgemant of the suffrage
in Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina
and North Carolina, and directing the
committee ON census to investigate and
re port the facts to the House In ord er
| that a constitutional basis Of representa-
tion could be established for those states
The resolution created a sensation. 1t
was surprise even to several Of the Re-
publican leaders. The leaders on the
Democratic side sought in vain to head
off the resolution with points Of orders,
but the speaker ruled against them.
They then began q fIibuster. openly
ayowing that they would fight every
proposition looking to the reduction Of
representation from the southern states
| to the bitter end.
| Several o the Republicans were secret
| Iy in sympathy with them and their in
difference to the fate Of the Olmstead
resolution in ths end gave the opposition
the victory Of today. Many of them quiet
ly paired with absent Democrats, leaving
their absent colleagues impaired. Thirty.
two Republicans were absent and un-
paired against sixtsen Of the opp position.
These absent and impaired were;
Repuhlicans-Boutelle of Maine, Brosi-
Us, Brown, Burkett, Caldsrhead, Clarke
of New Hanpshire, Dale, Samuel Dayen-
port. Dick, Fowler, Gardner Of New Jer-
sey, Hawlsy, Hotfeoker, Knox, Lorimer,
Loudsnslagsr. MoCisary, Metcalf, Miller,
Montell, Morgan, Seedham, Often, Park
er, Prince, Russell, Showaltsr, Smith of
Illinois, Sprague, Stevens of Minnesota,
wssdworth and Wanger.
Democrats-Barher of Psnnsylyania,
Bradley Of New York, Brewer, Caldwell,
Catohin2s, Castor, Gayle, Glynn, Lsvy,
May, Meekison, Shepherd. Stalling, Will
son, Of South Carolina, and Zsiglsr.
Silver Repuhlioans-wiIson Of Idaho.
The situations with reference TO the ap.
portionme mt bill Is greatly complicated
as result of the injection of the Ohm
stead resolution. Chairman Hopkins,
however, is confident Of victory for his
pill.
1t had been arranged before the House
met that this consideration OF the reap
portionmsnt bill was to be entered upon
today.
Immediately sitter she reading OF the
journal Mr. Olmstead or Pennsylvania
s2rsng a surprise by offering as matter
OF privilege resolution reciting the al
legged abrideement OF the right to vote In
Louisiana, Mississippi, South Caroiins
and North Carolina, and instructing the
committee on census to inquire into the
subject and report the facts to the House.
The reading Of the resolution caused a
Hurry on the Democratic side. Before
it had procsedei far Mr.. Richardson oi
Tennessee the minority leader jumped te
his feet and interrupted the reading tC
ask whether the resolution required
Unanimous consent.
"It does rot," replied the Speaker.
sit is offered as matter Of privilege .
"I make the point that the resolution
does not constitute matter OF privilege,
srd MIR. Richardson.
"rhe rsadin G has not proceeded fal