Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-27
18th CONGRESS.
Butler Of Missouri Unseated
and Wagner Seated.
Exciting Scenesin House Democrats
Threaten to Block Legislation.
Drastic Measures to Insure Passage
of Appropriation Bills.

Washington, Feb. 26.-Amid scenes
which recalled the memorable and ex-
citing days of the 51st Congress, when
party feeling ran fiercely and the hall
of Representatives sounded with de-
nunciation of the alleged high hand
ed methods" of the majority, James j.
Butler of Missouri, was unseated, to-
day, by the House and George G.
Wagner was seated in his place.
The Democrats had decided at their
caucus, this morning, that if this case
was called up they would prosecute a
filibuster from now until March 4, re-
gardless of consequences to legislation
and they began the fight as soon as the
gavel fell at noon. Roll call followed
roll call, and it took over three hours
to approve the journal of yesterdays
proceedings.
Then when the decks were cleared
the case was called. A spirited debate
of two hours followed and finally, af-
ter repeated roll calls the case was
brought to a vote. The Democrats
then attempted to block things by
leaving the hall, but enough absentees
finally We're brought in to make up the
necessary quorum.
The closing chapter was dramatic.
Mr.. Dalzell of Pennsylvania, who was
in the chair, declined to recognize a
demand for a division and Richardson,
the minority leader, stood in his place
and denounced his course in unmeas-
ured terms amid the jeers of the Re-
publican side. The handful of Demo-
Gratis present We're overridden rough
shod and Mr. Wagner was seated.
The Republican program includes a.
proposition to continue the legislative
day of today until noon, March 4, in or
der to obviate the long and tedious
work of approving the journal against
filibustering tactics.
A recess was taken, tonight, until II
O'Clock, tomorrow, and a rule has been
prepared which will hereafter give a
motion to recess precedence over a mo-
ton to adjourn. Under the operation
of these drastic measures it is believed
that none of the appropriation bills or
other necessary measures will be jeop-
ardized but the present situation I'M
doubtedly sounds the death kneH of
many minor measures.
The decision of the Democrats at
their caucus, this morning, to filibuster
for the remainder of the session if the
Republicans pressed the report on the
Wagoner-Butler contested election
case, caused considerable tension on
both sides when the House assembled
today. The leaders We're alert and the
fight began almost with the drop of the
oil ffn,. INV hn oh mid hin,
the Speaker was about to defer the
clerk to read the journal, when Rich
ardscn the Democratic leader, inter-
rupted him and made the point of no
quorum.
1.-THE constitution requires the pres
ence of a quorum to do business, said
he" The Speaker ascquiesed but was
able to count only 167. Thereupon
Payne, the Republican leader, moved a
call of the House and upon that mo-
ton the Democrats forced a roll call.
The call of the House was ordered, 237
TO 0. Payne then moved to dispense
with further proceedings under the
call. The rising vote resulted: Ayes,
1877, noes, 90. Richardson demanded
tellers and the Speaker sustained
Payne's point of order that the de-
mand was dilatory.
Then I demand the ayes and noes"
said Richardson. That is our consti-
tutional right. The Democratic side
arose en- nrasse in support of his de-
mand and the Speaker directed the
clerk to again call the roll. Payne's
motion was carried, 232 to /.
The next business in order was the
reading of the journal The Democrats
Continued on page 80