Year: 1876




lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


WAsUINGToN, Aug. The House spent its entire
session to-day in disgraceful wrangle. Just before
the expiration of the morning hour Air. Douglass OF
Virginia introduced resolution to amend the rules
so as 70 allow the committees which have been en-
caped in investigations to report at any time. The
ob;oct was to pass this resolution during the morn
inc bour when it could be adopted by majority
vote. Mr. Hurlburt made point OF order against
the resolution, which was promptly overruled, Wheh
Mr. Hale moved TO refer il to the Committee on Ap-
preparations Mr. Cox made the point OF order that
all propositions to amend the rules went OF necessity
10 the Committee on Rules Several Republicans
argued that it was in the power OF the House 10
send the resolution to any committee it might select
but the Speaker sustained the point made by Mr.
Cox and held that it could go only to the Committee
on Rules.


From this decision Mr.. Hale appealed, and a
motion having been made on the Democratic side 70
Law the appeal on the table, the Yeas and Nays
were called. Only about dozen Republicans voted
on this motion, and as the Democratic sdeloi the
House was far from being full of the call of
the roll disclosed the fact that no quorum had
voted. call of the House followed, when, as the
Republicans answered to their names, quorum was
found to be present. Another vote was taken on
LAYING Mr. Douglasss resolution on the table, when
the Republicans, by repeating their tactics, again
prevented the motion from beng agreed to. second
call of the House was then ordered, the doors were
closed and the Sergeant-atATms ordered TO ind and
arrest the absent members. In the mean tlne many
who were about the Capitol had entered the cham
Der during the proceedings and before the doors
were closed, and in squads of two and threes they
were marched down to the bar of the House in GUS
tody of the Sergeant-at-Arms, where, having given
excuses they were after the other ordered to be
discharged


Some amusement was caused by the excuses gwen
by members and by the character of the motions to
discharge them. For instance, when Mr.. Bland Of
Missouri. who has charge of the Silver bill, was
before the bar Mr. Hoar moved that he be dis
charged on the payment of costs IN silver The
nroceedngs under this second call lasted for yearly
three hours for although two-third of the members
of the House were in their seats leading Democrats
and Republicans voted against all measures to sus-
pend the call and proceed to other business.
Finally, at about $50 o'clock, compromise was
made between the Democrats and Republicans by
which an amendment is made authorizing inVes;i-
eating committees TO report at any time, provided
that when the majority of committee had CON-
peted its report ii shall give notice to the minority
in the committce-room and to the House on the same
day If at the end of forty-eight hours after such
notice has been given the minority do not prepare
report then the majority are not required to wait
any longer, but may submit their views TO the
House.


The whole of this squabble apparently grew out OF
an apprehension felt by tire Republicans that if the
rules were amended as the Democrats proposed the
Democratic majority on some Of the committees
would make their report the last day of the ses-
sion. As no disposition has been shown on either
side of the House TO take advantage of the other
side in the matter of reports, the whole proceedings
to-day seemed to be unnecessary and uncalled for
piece of gossip which is in circulation this evening
10 the effect that the wrange had been previously
arranged for between Mr.. Cox and Mr. Hale in order
TO consume the time to-day and prevent a vote on
the Bland Silver BILL or other Objectionable matter
which some members desired to bring up, may pos
sibly help to explain the proceedings