The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-18
CAUCUS
Substitute Resolution Adopted i'm the
Absence of a Quorum.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE Republican
members of the House of Representatives
held a third caucus tonight to consider
the question of Southern elections. The at
tendance was not as numerous as at for
mer gatherings, Speaker Henderson not at
tending, and only eighty-siX Republicans
out of a total of 1873 being present. This
was short of a quorum, but the meeting
proceeded with speedy and definite results.
a resolution being adopted asking the
House committee on rules to report a res
olution for a special investigation commit
tee of eleven members to consider questions
relating to the Acknowledgement of voters
Representative Cannon, of Illinois, occu-
pied the chair, and, in the absence Of Mr..
LoudensIag ger, Representative Tawney. of
Minnesota, acted as secretary. 1t was
agreed at the outset that the vote should
be taken at 9 o'clock. representative Dick,
CT Ohio, then presented the following reso-
luton as a substitute for that of Mr.. Crum-
packer, heretofore introduced:
Resolved. That it is the sense of this
caucus that the committee on rules report
a resolution, as a substitute for those now
pending in said committee, providing in
substance that a select committee be ap-
pointed by the speaker, consisting of eleven
members, whose duty It shall be, and who
snail nave power and authority to inYesti-
gate and inquire into the validity of cleo
ton laws and the manner of their enforce
ment in the several States, and whether the
right to vote of male inhabitants of any
OF the States, tWenty-One years of age, and
being citizens Of the United States, is de-
MED or in any manner abridged, except for
crime, and such committee shall report the
result of its investigation at as early a date
as practicable"
The debate was brief and entirely favor
able TO the adoption of the resolution. Mr..
Dick supported 1t on the ground that it
was simply a preliminary step with a.
view TO ascertaining facts, leaving the
question Of remedy to be determined when
the House was In possession of all the
facts. Mr.. Crumpacker concurred i'm this
view, and readily accepted the resolution
In lieu of the one he had first introduced,
which proposed not only an Investigation,
but also fixed the remedy, namely, a re-
duction of representation in Congress pro-
portionate to the extent of d-isfranchise-
ment.
Mr.. Grosvenor. of Ohio. closed the de-
bate by a speech in support of the resolu-
ton. He pointed out that as this was a
step merely to ascertain facts, there was
no danger of creating the public impression
that the Republican party proposed TO en-
act n drastic legislation on the subject.
The vote was then taken, and. without a
dissenting voice, the resolution was agreed
TO. The caucus thereupon adjourned.
1t was stated by members of the caucus
that the unanimous action bv eighty-six
members would undoubtedly be accepted by
the committee on rules, Notwithstanding
the absence of a quorum, and it was point
ed out by these members that the eighty
six affirmative votes would nave been a
majority if a quorum had been present. 1t
also was stated by those who had been
most in framing the resolu-
lions that the Investigation could be con-
Quoted here in Washington, probably with
out any necessity of making personal in
vestigation in the South or lsewher