The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-03

washington, FeDruary 26.-Am
scenes which recalled the memorable
and exciting days of the 5ist cong1 ess
when party feeling ran fiercely and the
hall of representatives resounded With
denunciation of the alleged "high
handed methods" Of the majority
James J.. Butler. of Missouri, was un-
seated today by the house end George
G. r. Wagner was seated in his plat e.
The democrats had decided at their
caucus this morning that if this case
was called up they would prosecute a
flibuster from now until March 4th
regardless of consequences to legisll-
ton, 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 of the
journal of yesterdays proceedings.
Then when the decks were cleared, the
case was called.
A spirited debate of two hours fol-
lowed and finally after repeated roll
calls, the case was brought to a vote.
The democrats then attempted to book
things by leaving the hall. but enough
absentees were finally brought in to
make up the necessary quorum. The
| closing chapter was dramatic. Nj.
Dalzell of Pennsylvania, who was IN
the chair declined to recognize a de-
mand for a division and Mr.. Richard
son. the minority leader, stood IN hrs
place and denounced his course in un-
measurer terms amid the jeers of the
; republican side. The handful of den1-
ocrats present were over-riden rough
shod and Mr.. Wagner was seated. by
a vote of 161 to two, the chair declining
to entertain the point that no quorrm
was present. This still further aroused
the ire of the handful of democrats on
the floor. Il did not believe the chair
| would be guilty Of such an actirn.'
; cried Mr.. Richardson, while Mr.. VII
liams, democrat %Illionis. from his seat
| shouted that the speaker had put a
proxy in the chair to do it.
! Mr.. Wagner, the contestant, then
| was escorted to the bar Of the house
and sworn in. Then the speaker re-
sumed the chair Mr.. Payne. the ma
jOrity leader, moved a recess until to-
morrow and on that demanded the ire
viOuS question. It was ordered 1Sj to
5, the speaker this time o~verrulins the
point of no quorum. By a vote of la
to 2 the house then took a recess.
The republican leaders II deciding &C
force this case to q vote did so with a
| perfect realization of the embarraSs-
ments which would follow if the demo-
Gratis carried out their flibuster!ne
threat and they have arranged a pro-
| gramme to reduce the minDrity's CD
structive power to a minimum, so tai
as appropriation bills are concerned
This is to be accomplished by a special
rule, which has been tentatively Ere
pared by which all the preliminary
steps for getting appropriation bills
with senate amendments into confer
%ternoon, republicans interested in the
omnibus public building bill threatened
to vote against the rule unless it me- dc
provision for the bill. his dsturhine
factor in the situation was 10 stralGh,
tened out tonight.
The republican programme also in
cludes q proposition to continue The
legislative day of today until moor
March 4th in order to obviate the Ions
and tedious work Of approving The
journal against flibustering tactics. 4
recess was taken tonight until II o'clocl
tomorrow and a rule has been prepare
which hereafter will give a motion t.
recess precedence over a motion to I'd
journ. Under the operation of Ties.
drastic measures. it is believed tina
ono Of the appropriation bills or otheI
necessary measures will be ieoparGiZed
but the present situation undoubtedly
sounds the death knelI Of many mino,
measures.