People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1893 — A WILD SCENE. [ARTICLE]

A WILD SCENE.

A Turbulent Session of the National House of .Representatives Mr. Cock- ' rail’s anti Mr. Houtelle’s Resolutions. Washington, Dec. 22.—The following; is a brief account of the exciting scenes in the house on the 19th: Immediately after the reading of the journal 1 Mr. Cockran (dent, N. Y.) offered his resold- i tion to appoint a special committee of seven to ' investigate the alleged attempt of the last ad- | ministration to annex territory to the United ! States without consulting the house of repre- i seutatives and to inquire into tho rights of the ! house in the premises. The resolution had no j sooner been read than a dozen men on each ! side of the house rushed toward the bar of the : house crying for recognition. In the meantime Mr. Boutelie (rep. Me.) at- ■ tempted to offer his resolution declaring that ! the prerogatives of congress had been invaded ! by the policy of the administration and declar- ! lug that policy inconsistent with the spirit of j the constitution aud the traditions of the re- | public * Amid great confusion the speaker finally ruled that under the rules Mr. Cockran’s reso lution would go to the committee on rules without a motion, and the resolution was so re- I ferred. Mr. Boutclle finally got the floor-to discuss the question as to whether his resolutioA was i privileged. “The message of the president,” he said, "indicates that this country may be ' involved in war with a friendly power. For all we know the arms of the United States may be even now pinioning with their bayonets a friendly nation With whom the mass of the people of this country sympathize.” He said it was the imperative duty of congress, reluctantly recognized by the president, to disavow, discredit and reprobate a policy designed to bring the country into discredit in the eyes of the civilized world. “I care not whence this policy •emanates,” continued Mr. Boutelle, “whether from a renegade republican or a democratic usurper.” The confusion that followed the word "usurper” drowned the rest of the sentehee. He continued to talk amid loud cries for order, and the speaker at last, with the aid of his gavel, brought the house to a stands till. Belore the gentleman from Maine had fairly launched his next philippic Speaker Crisp suddenly swept the ground Trom under him by deciding that the resolution should be referred directly to the committee on foreign Mr. Boutelle and Mr. Dtng|ty (rep.. Me.) then attempted to argue the question relating to the decision of the chair, but the speaker was obdurate. Amid great excitement he ordered ail gentlemen to take their seats, declaring he would hear no gentleman until he had formally discharged hia duty by a decision upon the point of issue. The speaker then delivered his decision in a calm, quiet tone, though he was evidently laboring under the general excitement prevalent in tne house, and referred the resolution to the committee on foreign affairs. Mr. Boutelle immediately appealed from the decision of the chair and Mr. McCreary moved to lay the appeal on the table. This motion prevailed—lß3 to 80.