The age-herald., 1902-02-11
Another Republican Caucus Held for Purpose of AbTidging
 Representation
CANNON AND PAYNE PLEAD
 FOR CONSERVATIVE ACTION
On a Test Vote Those In Favor of the Movement Had Majority, But the Caucus Adjourned for
 Lack of a Quorum.

Washington, February 10.-The second caucus of the House Republicans to con- slider the question Of action looking to re- ducing the Congressional representation of the Southern States, which abridge the suffrage was held In the hall of Repre- sentatives tonight, but a quorum was not present and after two and half hours discussion the caucus adjourned until next Monday without action. Speaker Henderson was present for short time but took no part in the proceedings and left early. His lieutenants, MT. Payne of New York; Mir Cannon and Mr. Dalzell were present, however, and threw the weight of their influence in favor of a conservative course.
 MT. Cannon was openly opposed to ac- tion on the ground that it could only re- suit Tn agitation.
 In the only test of strength made, the friends of the actien had d majority of twenty votes
 MT. Crumpacker of Indiana at the out set offered the following modification of his resolution of last week.
 Crumpacker's Resolution.
 Resolved That it is the sense of this caucus that the following modification of his resolution as substitute for those now pending in said committee providing in substance that a select committee be appointed by the committee consisting of eleven members whose duty it shall be, and who shall have full and complete power to investigate and inquire into the validity of election laws and the manner of their enforcement in the several states. and whether the right to vote of male in- habitants of any of the states 21 years of age and being citizens of the United States is denied or in any manner abridged except for crime and such com mittee shall report the results of it's n- vestigation at as early date as is prac- ticable and it shall be authorized to re- port at any time. by bill or otherwise such measure as the facts so found may justify.
 Resolved That measures so reported by said committee shall be advisory only. unless otherwise ordered by future action of the caucus"
 argument in support of the Crumpacker resolution. made the interesting state ment that when the Southern states were admitted to representation after the war 1t was on the express condition that none of them would later deprive any citizen or class of citizens of the right to Vote He contended that in subsequently, abridging the right to vote some of the Southern states had violated the pro- visions of the act of January 25, 1868.
 MT. Shattuc of Ohio called attention to the fact. that in the former caucus the opposition did not show it's hand until after all the advocates of action had expended their ammunition, and he sug- gested that the friends and enemies speak alternately. His remarks were directed at MT. Cannon, who was chairman of the caucus.
 Cannon Took the Floor.
 MT. Cannon thereupon relinquished the savel and took the flood with ,an earnest plea for conservatism.
 He took the position that no legislation could result from action by the House: that the Senate would not pass the bill and that the net effect would be agitation which would injure, and not benefit, the negro in the South. He contended that the attempt to pass the force bill in the Fifty-first Congress had resulted in the defeat of the Republicans in the Con gressional elections.
 MT. Dick of Ohio strongly controverted this latter statement, and moreover urged that no matter what the political effect might be. the Republicans of Con- gress should do their duty.
 Mr. Grow of Pennsylvania the venera- ble ex-Speaker of the House, supported the Crumpacker resolution. but took issue with Mir Taylor as to the act of June 25 1868, which he contended was not bind ing upon the Southern states. While 1t was law, 1t was, he declared. imperative.
 MT Cushman of Washington. MT. Nor rell of Pennsylvania. Mir Hopkins of Ohio MT. Douglass of New York and MT. Reeves of Illinois also earnestly favored the resolution.
 MT Morrell of Pennsylvania offered the following substitute for the Crumpacker resolution:
 Morrill, Offers Substitute.
 Resolved, That committee composed of six members of this caucus be ap- pointed by the chairman to work in con- junction with the above committee, which committee of six shall report to future caucus such information and finding of facts as may be secured by said investi gation.'
 MT. Capron of Rhode Island opposed action and the proceedings were finally brought to a close by MT. Payne. the floor leader O. the majority, who offered the following resolution to refer all the pending resolutions to the committee on census which he claimed has Jurisdiction:
 Resolved, That all resolutions pending before the Republican caucus be referred to the Republican members of the select committee on census, House of Represen- tatives. which committee has under the rules of the House jurisdiction of the subject matter before the caucus, and that leave to said Republican members be given to report touching the premises to the Republican caucus of the House at any time"
 He forced show of hands on this reso- lution and the vote resulted. S5 ayes and .. nays. The vote developed the act that quorum was not present. and after some slight wrangling the caucus ad- journed until next Monday.