The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-27
Butler Unseated Amid Scenes
of Fierce Excite
ment.
WAGNER lSTHEN SEATED
The Point Of No Quorum yer uled by The
Chaif---High-Handed Methods Of the
Majority Denounced The DEM
ccras Begin the Battle
Threatentd at Their
Caucus.

Washington. d. c.. Feb. 26.-Amid
scenes which recalled the memorable and
exciting days of the Fifty first Congress
when party feeling ran fercely and the
Hall OF Representatives resounded with
denunciation of the alleged high handed
methods of the majority. James J. But
Ter, of Missouri, was unseated today by
the House and George c. r. Wagner
was seated in his place.
The Democrats had decided at their
caucus this morning that if this case was
called up they would pursue a flibuster-
ing course from now until March 4. regard
less of consequences to legislation, and
they began the fight as soon as the gavel
fell at noon. Roll-call followed roll-call
and 1t took over three hours to approve
the journal of yesterdays proceedings.
Then when the desks were cleared the
case was called. spirited debate of
two hours followed and finally after re-
peated roll-ealls the case was brought
to a vote. The Democrats then attempt
ed to block things by leaving the hall
but enough absentees finally were
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 Nj. Richardson the
minority leader. stood in his place and
denounced his course in unmeasured
terms amid the jeers of the Republican
side The handful of Democrats pres
eat were overridden, rough shod, and
MIR Wagner was seated by vote of 161
to q the Chair declining to entertain the
point that no quorum was present
This still further aroused the ire of
the handful Of Democrats on the floor.
I did not believe the Chair would be
guilty of such an action" cried Mr. Rich
ardson. while Mr.. Williams (Dem.), of
Illinois, from his seat shouted that the
Speaker had put a proxy in the Chair to
do 1t. Mr.. Wagner the contestant then
was escorted to the bar of the House
and sworn in. Then the Speaker re-
sumed the chair and Mr.. Payne, the
majority leader, moved a recess until
tomorrow and on that demanded the pre-
vious question. 1t was ordered 169 to
5. the Speaker this time everything the
point of no quorum. by a vote of 173 to
2, the House then took a recess.
The Republican leaders in deciding to
force this case to vote did so with a
perfect realization of the embarrassment
which would follow if the Democrats
carried out their filibustering threat and
they have arranged program to reduce
the minority's obstructive power to a
minimum so far as appropriation bills
are concerned. This is TO be accom-
pgished by a special rule which has
been tentatively prepared by which all
the preliminary parliamentary steps for
getting appropriation bills with Senate
amendments into conference into Con-
gress can be cut off. But later this af-
ternoon Republicans interested in the
Omnibus Public Building bill threatened
to vote against the rule unless ii made
provision for the bill. This disturbing
factor in the situation is not straight
ened out tonight.
The Republican program also includes
a proposition to continue the legislative
Gay of today until noon. March 4, in or
der to obviate the long and tedious WORK
of approving the journal against filibus-
tering tactics A recess was taken to-
night until II O'Clock tomorrow and a
rule has been prepared which hereafter
will give a motion to recess precedence
ever a motion to adjourn Under the
operation of these drastic measures it is
believed that none of the appropriation
bills or other necessary measures will
be jeopardized but the present situation
undoubtedly sounds the death knell Of
many minor measures