The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-28
Doing Everything i'm Its Power to
Block Legislation and Force an
Extra Session.
DRASTIC RULES ADOPTED
BUT LITTLE PROGRESS MADE WITH
APPROPRIATION BILLS.
Naval and Military Academy Bills
Passed by the Senate and other
Measures Considered.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-The Democrats
of the House to-day carried out their
threat made yesterday that if Mr.. Butler
was unseated they would do everything in
their power to block legislation from now
until Congress expires on March L. The
result was another stormy session. pro-
longed from IL O'Clock this morning until
almost Z o'clock this evening. Roll call
succeeded roll call and at every pause party
passion manifested itself in bitter and
acrimonious denunciation.
Two special rules were brought in to
expedite appropriation bills and continue
the legislative day of yesterday in order to
reduce as much as possible the minority's
power to obstruct legislation. During the
debate on the rule the Democrats voiced
their condemnation of what they denom-
mated 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 presented to-
day, Mr.. Dalzell saying that unless this
course was pursued the Democrats could
consume 1S7 hours or twenty-seven legis-
lative days on roll calls on the Senate
amendments to the appropriation bills.
1t was agreed on both sides that the pres
ent situation sounded the death kneIl of
practically everything except the appro-
priation bills. The friends of the omnibus
public building bill who yesterday were
threatening to defeat the rules If they were
not modified to include their measure were
placated by promise which ii was under
stood was given that their bill would be
covered by a special rule to be brought in
later.
Even with the special rules in operation
getting appropriation bills into conference
was tedious and laborious process. an
eight-hour session and thirteen roll calls
being necessary to get the agricultural.
sundry civil. Military Academy and post
Office appropriation bills into conference
and to adopt the conference report the
Indian appropriation bill. All overtures Of
the Republicans to the Democrats TO in
duce the latter to abandon their filibuster
have been fruitless, and there is every in
dication that they will continue their pres
ent tactics to the end of the session
The first of the two special rules by
which the minority power to obstruct legis-
lation is to be reduced to a minimum fol-
lows:
Resolved, That Immediately upon the
adoption of this rule and al any time there
after during the remainder of this session
II shall be In order to take from the speak
ers table any general appropriation bill re-
turned with Senate amendments, and such
amendments having been read the question
shall be at once taken without debate or
fx-ta ha foil
ton: VIII the House disagree TO said
amendments en- bloc. and ask conference
with the Senate? And if this motion shall
be decided in the affirmative the speaker
shall at once appoint the conferees, without
the Intervention of any motion. If the
House shall decide said motion in the mega
tive the effect of said vote shall be to agree
to the said amendments"
The second rule, which is designed to con-
tinue the legislative day of yesterday until
March A. is as follows:
session the motion to take a recess shall
be privileged motion and take precedence
IF the motion to adjourn"
Mr.. Fleming Dem) }, of Georgia rising to
a question of the highest privilege, sent to
the clerks desk and had read the follow
ing resolution:
sional Record of Feb. g. 1903, that by actual
count and announcement by the speaker
pro tenn. quorum was not present when
the resolutions were voted upon declar-
and that George c. p. Wagner was duly
elected a representative in the Fifty-sev-
enth Congress from the Twelfth Missouri
district, and that the point of no quorum
was duly raised upon the vote on each OF
said resolutions and that the same in each
instance was overruled by the SPEAKER pre-
tenn, in violation of the Constitution, the
rules of the House and the practice of all
parliamentary bodies,
Resolved. That the announcement by
the speaker pro TEN n tina that said resolutions
| the said James j. Butler is still entitled
to his seat in this House and that the said
George c. p: Wagner is not now entitled
Mr.. Payne the majority leader, was rec
! osnized despite the protests of Mr.. Flem-
| ing that he could not be taken off the floor
| and he moved TO lay the resolution on the
| table The Democrats forced a roll cal
| on the motion and it prevailed-16l to 107
! Then began a filibuster that lasted through
| out the session.
During the debate on the rules Mr. eros
venor declared that the majority was not
| abandoning the Reed rules. 1t was simply
doing its duty. The other side had nothing
| at stake. 1t could proceed heedlessly and
| recklessly to attempt to force an extra
session-to disturb business and to entail
enormous expense on the-treasury. Ii had nc
anything to bring disaster. He appealed
| to his side of the House to stand fast.
Mr.. De Almond was given five minutes
and the entire Democratic side broke into
A
| bitterly sarcastic terms he arragned the
| other side. ridiculing the 'pathos' in tho
voice Of Mr.. Grosvonor, and excoriatins
Mr. Dalzell for his action while in the
| chair last night, declaring that the ma
| jority now had one who always could b'
relied on to do that which no one elss
would do.
| Mr.. Richardson closed for his side in
brief but energetic speech. and Mr.. Cannon
| closed for the majority. The Democrats
he said. in fit of pique because Butler
| had been unseated. refused 10 play" anC
| in revengeful retaliation purposed that Con
gress should end in nothing. But his sid'
| of the House. he said, proposed TO 'mov,
| on" Republican applausel and do thei
duty. In conclusion he smilingly expresse,
| the hope that the other side would see,
over the matter and decide 10 quit. II
! you do not said he. you will punish
| yourselves along with us. for we have tn,
| power and we will exercise it,
Mr.. Dalzell then demanded the previous
| question. which was ordered-l69 TO Ill;
party vote. The rule then was adopted
1S3 to 10i.
WORK OF THE SENATE.