The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-05-30
DEMOCRATS NETTLED
over THEIR ARREST
DENOUNCE BEING TAKEN INTO
CUSTODY TO MAKE QUORUM
IN HOUSE.

MIR. Gaines Asks why They are Arrest
ed and Republicans Immune-NIr.
Rucker Calls the Sergeant-at-Arms
IA Usurper" and Characterizes the
Apprehension of Himself and Col
league as "FOuI and COntemptible."
Washington, May 29.-An experience
meeting was held to-day in the house
of representatives. 1t grew out of the
arrests made yesterday by the SER
geant-at-arms and his officers, and the
haling Of the members before the bar
of the house in order to complete a
quorum under call of tine house last
evening. The journal set forth the
names Of the members who had been
puaced under arrest by the officers and
who, upon presentation at the bar Of
the house, were discharged from arrest
and permitted to vote.
Mr.. Gaines, of Tennessee, stated that
he had left the house at 6 o'clock upon
a mission Of humanity, to inquire after
a sick brother. He had gone to his ho-
tel and was notified that a "call Of the
house was on. He went into the cafe
of his hotel and saw a number of mem
bers there, and notified them that there
was a call for quorum. He responded
with others and was overtaken by an
officer Of the house, who placed him un-
| der arrest, and he was presented to the
| bar of the house. He wanted to take
this opportunity to ask why the demo-
Gratis were singled out for arrest and
the republicans immune, and he desired
to serve notice that officers of the house
must treat all alike.
! SO far as he was concerned, he said,
he did not care for the arrest. He was
doing duty to the sick which he would
do again, house or no house.
Mr. Rucker, of Missouri, another Of
those brought before the bar, followed
along similar lines, except to call the
/ sergeant-at-arm "a usurper with no
authority to arrest" and to character
ize the arrest of himself and a colleague
| (Mr. Murphy, Of Missouri as foul and
contemptible.'
Other members recited similar expert
ences.
Mr.. Payne, of New York, the floor
leader of the majority, then rose to
move the previous question on the ap-
proval Of the journal. 1t became APP
| | parent that the events complained Of
were the outcome plan on the part
of the leaders of tie republican side to
keep the republican majority present to
enact legislation, He said there was no
but practical application Of a rule that
has been dormant for years.
Mr.. Payne then lectured the house.
He said it was the primary duty of the
members to attend upon the sittings of
the house daily and remain until the
house adjourned. He recalled that in
former congresses members forfeited
several instances members had paid as
high as 5000 for their non-attendance.
Mr.. Payne yielded to Mr.. Olmsted, Of
Pennsylvania, to amend the motion To
approve the journal by striking out all
reference to the arrests made yesterday
The amendment was lost and the jour-
nal was then approved-yeas 223, nays
7, present 1850.
Mr. Murphy then rose to question
of the highest personal privilege to ar.
que the right of the speaker to issue 9
warrant of arrest without direct au-
thorlty of the house. He contendet
that the rules Of the house did not give
the speaker power to issue warrants
for arrest, and that arrests must fol-
geant-at-arms.
Speaker Cannot replied by unanimous
consent. He explained the reasons fol
the directions issued to the sergeant
alarms to bring In absentees. He sait
that the chair had examined with grea
care the rules and the precedents relat
ing to the issue of warrants, and as tht
rules gave the chair the right verbally
to authorize the sergeant-at-arms tt
bring in absentees, it must per Sc givt
him a still greater right to compel at
tendance in writing.
He alluded to the warrant issued t
the sergeant-at-a arms, and stated tina
1t had been issued under the oonstitu
tion, under the law and under the rule
Of the house.
Then, citing the rules in vogue, ant
particularly the one passed in the Fifty
fourth congress, under which the war
rant was issued, Speaker Cannon, will
much deliberation, said:
"The chair, under the rules, believe
that the gentleman was legally arrest
ed" The speakers gavel came dow
with a bang, and the incident wa
closed,
HANGED HIMSELF IN TREE