Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-28
ADOPTS RIGOROUS RULES
House Uses Extreme Measures 20 stop
Avowed Democratic Fill
buster.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-The democrats
in the house today carried out their threats
to do everything in their power to block
legislation,
The result was another stormy session,
prolonged from II this morning until 7 in
the evening. Roll call succeeded roll call,
and at every pause party passion mani
tested itself In bitter and acrimonious de-
nunciation.
Two special rules we're brought in to
expedite appropriation bills and continue
the legislation day Of yesterday, in order
to reduce as much as possible the mi
n%ority's power to obstruct legislation. Dur
ing the debate on the rule the democrats
voiced their condemnation Of What they
dominated yesterdays outrageous action Of
the chair. The republicans declared that
they were willing to assume responsibility
for what they had done and explained the
necessity of the drastic rules proposed.
Mr.. Dalzell said that unless this course
was pursued the democrats could consume
twenty-seven legislative days on roll calls
on the senate amendments to the appro-
p~riation bills. .
1t was agreed on both sides that the
present situation sounded the death knell
Of practically everything except the APP
preparation bills. The friends Of the omni-
bus public building bill who yesterday
we're threatening to defeat the rules IL
they we're not modified to include their
measure were placated by a promise which
1t was understood was given, that their
bill would be covered by a special rule to
be brought In later.
Even with the special rules In opera
ton work was a tedious and laborious
process, an eight-hour session and thir-
teen roll calls being necessary to get the
agricultural, sundry civil, military academy
and postofice appropriation bills into con-
ference and to adopt the conference report
on the Indian appropriation bill.
All overtures to the democrats have been
fruitless and there is every indication they
will continue their present tactics to the
end Of the session.
Soon after the sitting opened Mr.. Flem-
ing (Ga.), rising to a question of the high
est privilege, moved the following resolu-
ton:
Whereas, 1t appears from the Congress
sional Record Of February 26, 1903. that by
actual count and announcement by the
speaker pro tempore. a quorum was no
present when the resolutions were voted
upon declaring that James ]. Butler was
not elected, and that George B: Wagner
was duly elected a representative in tht
LNy Nthb AhOhA NAC WNAAN
Missouri district, and that the point of nc
quorum was duly raised upon the vote or
saee as % sa mst 6ssSautI %as, t STe fafs the sy SAM m
s c6Sstisntl eGG t tSe pfGfs;s 81 vs Ire house sta ~ M
the practice Of all parliamentary bodies.
Resolved. That the announcement by the
speaker pro tempore,. that said resolution
were adopted was. IN f RStor untrue 1t sta, a an:
titled to his seat In this house, and tina
the said George c. Wagner is not entitled
to the same.
Mr.. Payne. the majority leader, wal
recognized despite the protests Of Mr.
Fleming that he could not be taken OF the
floor, and he moved to lay the resolution
on the table. The democrats forced a roll
call on the motion. The motion prevailed
161 to 1O7.
The following rules were then presented
and after much debate adopted:
Resolved, That Immediately upon tn,
adoption OF this rule and any time there
after during the remainder OF this session
Il shall be In order TO take from the speak
eris table any general appropriation bill
returned with senate amendments and sucl
amendments. having been read, the ques
ton shall be at once taken, without debate
or intervening motion, on the following
viii the house disagree to said amend
mentB en- bloc and ask a conference will
the senate? And II this motion shall b,
decided in the affirmative the speaker shall
intervention of any motion. II the hous
shall decide said motion In the negative
the effect of said vote shall be to agree L
the said amendments.
The second rule, which is designed t.
continue the legislative day Of yesterda,
until March 4, lie as follows:
Resolved, That for the remainder OF thl
session the motion to take q recess shal
be a privileged motion and ak precedence
of the motion TO adjourn.
Under the operation Of these rules tn
business OF the house was then resumes
and four money bills sent to conference.