Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-19

Il have never known a quorum to be
obtained in the early morning hours or
before daybreak," he said.
BY this time the heat noticeably cooled:
there was some ~desultory gum but
everybody seemed to lose interest thereafter
in the new assistant sergeant-at-arms and
his unsigned warrants.
still No Quorum.
The house thought it had a quorum about
1880 a. m. and Mr.. Olmstead Crepublican)
OF Pennsylvania moved to suspend opera
tions under the call of the house.
The hands of the big round clock in the
back Of the hall indicated s o'clock when
the roll call was concluded. 1t was evil
dent to the most casual observer that the
olmstead motion had been lost, but there
was no hurry in announcing the result. It
required some time for the clerks to make
their tally and the speaker himself showed
no disposition to expedite matters. At last
he stated the motion had been defeated, "a
to 90, with 20 present but not voting.
A weary yawn from the democratic side
of the house, which was audible through
out the chamber, constituted the most
animated demonstration that greeted the
announcement.
At this hour Uncle joe was still at the
helm. He appeared slightly worried, but
the carnation which had graced his lapel
yesterday was still fresh and his voice
was not the least bit husky.
Mr.. Mann raised the point OF no quorum.
but apparently the speaker was not GER
tain Of the footing of even as close a
friend as the Chicago member. whose hair
had not been combed for twenty-four
hours, and he refused to entertain the
point. He held that as the house was then
undergoing the process of a call, the point
could not be entertained.
Speaker Stays at Post.
There is a quorum of record" he said,
but 1t does not materialize." He then
stated that no business could be transacted
so long as there was not a sufficient num-
Der to meet the requirements Of parlia-
mentary practice, Immediately the house
thinned out. Probaly not fifty members
were left in their seats and some Of them
were asleep, some read the morning papers.
others gathered in groups YEARLY discuss
ing the situation. The speaker held his
post, idly toying with his gavel with the
same fondness 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 side, Joined
in jovial conversation.
Admittedly 1t was the lull before thu
storm. All storts Of things were predicted
before the close OF the day and members
generally were preparing for a strenuous
time. There will be some snake killing
before the day is over,' said Champ Clark
as he sat in his seat rubbing his tired
eyes.
Many, including the speaker went to
breakfast. Even Republican Whip Dwight
wandered 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 CO.
horts In attendance by saying that the re-
sponsibility for the white mans burden"
had been taken 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.
Reporters Keep Busy.
That the day" which had begun at noon
yesterday had been an exciting one was
shown by the official reporters notes.
They had taken down 5000 words, more
than three times the average. and nons
of them had a wink of sleep.
At $3.50 a, m, Representative Norris OF
Nebraska, asserted his confidence Of a
majority Of from 10 TO 10 for his resolution.
I'VE will beat them" he said. There
is no doubt Of the result unless there is
some legerdmain."
Minority Leader Champ Clark who stayed
at his post all night. made the same pre-
diction. adding that 1t was the most re-
markable struggle in the history Of con-
gress.
Cannon Accused OF Anarchy.
The speaker OF this house is maintain
ing a state OF anarchy here" shouted Rep
resentative Shackleford Of Missouri. shortly
before y o'clock.
Mr.. Moore OF Pennsylvania was In the
chair and had just raped the house to
order, after members had been singing,
''There WIN be a Hot Time in the Old
Town Tonight"
The sergeant-at-arms sits here con-
tinued Mr.. Shaekleford. "and makes no
effort to perform his duty because the
~~~"r-~ hes privately directed him to pur-
sue this course Of uon-aetion. But the ser