Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-11
TO REDUCE REPRESENTATION
Republicans Hold Second Caucus and
Three Plans Are sub
mitted.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1O.-The second eau
Gus OF the house republicans to consider
the question Of action looking to reducing
the congressional representation Of the
southern states which abridge1 the suffrage
was held IN the hall Of representatives to-
night, but a quorum was not present and
after two and a half hours Of discussion the
caucus adjourned until next Monday with
out action. II requires 101 republicans to
constitute a quorum Of the caucus, and at
no m tonight we're over ninety-six re-
publicans In attendance. Speaker Hender-
son was present for a short time, but took
no part In the proceedings and left early
to keep a dinner engagement. His %lieuten-
ants, Mr.. Payne Of New York, Mr.. Cannon
and Mr.. Dalzell, we're present. however, and
threw the weight Of their influence in
favor Of a conservative course. Mr. Can
non was openly opposed to action on the
ground that it could only result In agita-
ton.
Mr.. ~Crumpacker Of Indiana at the outset
offered the following modification Of his
resolution Of last week.
Resolved. That it is the sense of this
caucus that the committee on rules report
q resolution as a substitute for those now
pending In subcommittee providing in sub
stance that a select committee be appointed
~ II COMMITTEE CDIlklEIl0E OF eleven menu
bers, whose duty it shall be, and who shall
nave full and complete power, 10 investi-
gate and Inquire into the validity of cleo
tlon laws and the manner of their enforce
ment In the several states, and whether
the right to vote Of male inhabitants OF
ehy on me ne states Ia fr n years : Of age, and being
in any manner abridged, except for crime,
and such committee shall report the results
is practicable, and it shall be authorizes
to report at any time by bill or otherwise
such measure as the facts so found may
Resolved, That measures so reported by
said committee shall be advisory only un-
less otherwise ordered by future action Of
the caucus.
Mr.. Morrell offered the following substi-
tute for the Crumpacker resolution:
Resolved, That a committee composed
with the above committee. which commit
tee OF, six shall report to a future caucus
such Information and finding of facts as
may be secured by said Investigation.
Mr.. Capron of Rhode Island opposed ac-
ton, and the proceedings finally were
brought to a close by Mr.. Payne, the floor
leader Of the majority, who offered the
following resolution to refer all the pend
ing resolutions to the committee on census,
which he claimed had jurisdictions:
Resolved, That all resolutions pending
before the republican caucus be referred TO
the republican members of the select COM
mittee on the census, house of representa-
tives, which committee has, under the
rules of the house, jurisdiction of the sub
tect matter before the caucus, and that
leave t. said republican members be given
to report touching the premises TO the re-
publican caucus of the house at any time.
He forced a show of hands on this resolu-
ton and the vote resulted. So ayes and 81
nays. The vote developed the fact that a
quorum was not present and after some
slight wrangling the caucus adjourned until
next Monday.