The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-18

was not certain of the footing of ever
| as close a friend as the Chicago mem
| for "a hours, and he refused to enter
| tain the point He nelL that the
house was not even then undergoing
the process of a call, the point could
not be entertained.
There is a quorum OF record" he
said, "but it does not materialize.'' He
then stated that no business could be
transacted so long as there was not a
sufficient number to meet the require
ments of parliamentary practice. I'M
mediately the house thinned out. Prob
ably not more than fifty members were
left in their seats and some of them
were asleep. some read the morning
papers. others gathered in groups
wearily discussing the situation.
The speaker held his post idly toy
ing with his gavel with the same fond
ness often manifested by an old hunter
towards a gun with which he has
brought down much game. Some of
his Democratic friends took advantage
of the opportunity and going to his
mittedly it was the lull before the
storm. All sorts of things were pre-
dicted befSre the close os the day and
members generally were preparing for
strenuous time.
Clark Predicts Snake killing.
There will be some snake killing
before the day is over" said Champ
Many. including the speaker. went
to breakfast.
Even Republican Whip Dwight wan
dered out for a brief rest and was
found asleep in a quiet corner. Some
one cruelty woke him to crack a joke
at his expense. He defended himself
against the charge of not having his
Republican cohorts in attendance by
saying that the responsibility for the
txxI7f e h11T 6oV1p h he
from his shoulders and turned over to
the sergeant at arms. The speaker ate
sparingly. He ordered bread sticks, a
large cup of coffee and two hard
boiled eggs.
That the "day," which had begun at
noon yesterday, had been an exciting
one was shown by the official report
ers' notes. They had taken down 146,-
average. and none of them had had a
wink of sleep.
At $50 a. M. Representative Nor
ris (Neb.) asserted his confidence of a
majority of from 10 to 5 for his reso-
luton.
1--WE will beat Them he said. There
is no doubt of the result unless there
is some legerdemain.''
Minority Leader Champ Clark, who
stayed at his post all night, made the
same prediction. adding that it was
the most remarkable struggle in the
history of congress.
A Lull in the Battle.
At IL o'clock the tense situation exist
ing never would have been suspected
from the appearance of the floor of the
house. Apparently 1t was much more
serene than it had been at any time
since the condition developed yester-
day. The insurgent Republicans still
were III conference and the regular Re-
publicans were contending that the re-
suit of the meeting would be a compro-
mise. While the conference was on the
house practically was in recess. The
speaker kept some one in the chair but
he wandered around the corridors of
the building apparently quite uncon-
cerned as to the ultimate effect of the
strife on his own fortunes. The MEM
berS We're good natured and generally
the situation in a friendly
BY this hour the galleries had filled
up and there was evident impatience
ness to begin.
why don't they 90 something's was
the frequent irquiry from the upper
corridors uttered i'll tones loud enough
to be heard on the floor. Nothing
could be doneO until the insurgents
should return. Then something might |
happen. The Democrats were insistenr
that there could be no agreement be-
tween the insurgents and the regulars. |
They will not go back on u.s. said
Champ Clark confidently. He was hold
ing his forces in readiness for battle. |
J hey had even refused an overture to
meeting or long enough to tidy up the |
chamber. I'VE prefer to sleep on our
arms they said, and some of them
Sid