The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-03-21
EXTREME OBSTRUCTION
TO BUSIN SIS IN HOUSE CONTEMPLATED
BY DEMOCRATS.
THE CRUMPACKER RESOLUTION
Ordered Favorably Reported by the
Committee on Rules, by Strict
Party Vote-Democrats to Caucus
ON Question of Going to Extreme
Parliamentary Lengths I'm Oh
s~tructing all Legislation I'm the
House IL Effort f. Made to Pass
This Resolution.

Washington, March 1.-THE house
committee OF rules by q divided vote
on party line today decided to report
packer OF Indiana for 4 special commit
tee Of thirteen members TO investigate
and report on the alleged d~Isfranchise-
ment of voters in some CT the tates
The two democratic members OF the
committee, Representatives Richard
Of Alabama. protested against report
ing the resolution. and When II was or
dered 10 be reported by the affirmative
votes OF the republican members OF the
committee, Speaker Henderson n
Representatives Dalzell and Grosve-
nor, the democratic members consulted
their colleagues on the floor Of the
house and began considering the advis-
ibilty of expressing their dissent by
resorting to the most extreme devices
of parliamentary procedure, even to the
extent of stopping the regular proceed
ure Of the house.
That this extreme step shall be taken
has not yet teen decided upon, as
MessrS. Richardson and Underwood,
after comforting with other democratic
members, stated that action Of the
charter contemplated should not be
taken unless there is the most COM
plete concurrence by the entire minori-
ty n a determination in advance 10
make a most determined contest.
To this end it is the intention Of sub
hitting the matter TO a democratic
caucus, probably on Wednesday night.
A caucus has already been called for
that night to consider tte Boer war.
Under the aucus rules it will require
unanimous consent to consider anyth-
ing outside the Boer subject: but in
view of the general sentiment among
democratic members, 1t is expected hat
unanimous consent will be given to
consider this disfranchisement question.
Otherwise another caucus will be called,
One Of the minority Iarliamentarians
said;
THE business of the house is largely
done by unanimous consent the
tesy Of the minority yielding a strict
conformance to the rules: but the mi
nority has the power to withhold unan-
imous consent and to require a consti-
tional vote under the rules on every
question arising. Without unanimous
consent, even the approval of the jour
nal will require a roll call n 1t will
| take a week to pass a bridge bill. The
! minority will be cautious in going tC
this extreme and will not take such {
step unless assured in advance OF {
united following. If the step is no
taken it will only be because of tn
question of propriety of resorting t.
such extremes"
1t is stated that the movement on thu
part Of the minority is directed, not only
against the Crumpacker resolution will
a view to contesting its adoption to tht
last extreme, but also TO other leEisla.
ton so as to embarrass and harry tht
majority at every point.
The action Of the commmittee or
rules in favor of the C~Tumpacker reso
luton will rot be ted to the house
for about ten days, as Representative
Grosvernor, who is to make the report
will be out OF the city temporarily.