Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1894 — FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS.

The open session of the Senate, Monday, was without interest. A memorial from citizens of Maine protesting against putting lumber on the free list was presented by Senator Hale, who requested that it be printed as a Senate document. Senator McPherson protested, saying that if every petition on the tariff subject should be printed the printing office would be kept busy for the next three months. The House bill fixing the limit of indebtedness of Salt Lake City, U. T., was taken up and passed. The Hawaiian resolution was then called up and Senator Daniel took the floor in support of the resolution. While he was speaking a motion was made to go into executive session. Upon reopening the doors a conference on the Oklahoma bill was agreed to and Messrs. Berry, Blackburn and Pettigrew were appointed conferrees on the part of the Senate. Then the Senate adjourned. In the House, Monday, the filibustering tactics of the opponents of the Bland seigniorage bill were again successful. A voting quorum could not bo obtained. The day was devoted to fruitless efforts to untangle various parliamentary complications. The Republican and Democratic opponents of the seigniorage bill refused to vote on the demand for tho previous question on Mr. Bland’s resolution to arrest absentees, and it resulted 123 to 3. Mr. Reed made the point of no quorum, but the occupant of the chair, Mr. Dockery, ruled that a quorum was not necessary. The motion then recurred on the adoption of the resolution, which resulted 116 to 0. Mr. Reed again made the point of no quorum, and in the midst of some excitement explained that in his opinion it required a quorum to pass a resolution whose execution lasted beyond tho adjournment to-day. After an exchange of shots between Mr. Reed and Mr. Hatch, the chair overruled the point of order and declared the resolution carried. Thereupon, Mr. Bland moved to adjourn, and upon the announcement of the adjournment the Clerk read from tho desk the call for a Democratic caucus immediately. The announcement was greeted with Republican cheers. In the Senate, Tuesday, Senator Daniel concluded his speech on the Hawaiian question. He warmly commended the course of the administration in the Hawaiian matter, but held that there was now but one course to pursue, and that was to recognize the provisional government. Senator Voorliees presented a petition signedby four thousand citizens of Massachusetts in favor of tho passage of the new tariff bill and indicating that such legislation would be beneficial to Massachusetts industries. Senator Hoar called attention to the fact that this petition was really a petition for protection. In reply to an inquiry from Senator Hoar as to the names of some of the petitioners, Senator Voorhoes said: “I see on the petition the names of John M. Forbes, M. Lloyd Garrison and Stotflon and Endicott, and other names familiar in the history of the commonwealth.” The petition was referred to the finance committee. Tho bill providing for the erection of a new government printing office was read. Pending consideration of the bill tho Senate, at 4 p. m., on motion of Senator Sherman, went into executive session and at 5:49 p. m. qdjourned. The deadlock in the House on the seigniorage bill was not broken, Tuesday. Roll call followed roll call in the customary tedious manner until 4 o’clock. It then became apparent that a quorum could mot be secured, and at 4:10, on motion of Mr. Bland, the House adjourned. In the Senate, Wednesday, the tariff question came up in an unexpected way. Senator Voorheos denied that tho Democratic members of the committee having charge of the tariff bill were submitting to the President’s directions. Further discussion caused Mr. Voorheos to say that it was no business of the Senate how the finance committee considered the bill. An acrimonious debate followed. Following this episode Senator White spoke on the Hawaiian resolution and condemned the conduct of ex-Minister Stevens. A resolution by Senator Gorman to print 6,090 copies of the Hawaiian papers was adopted. At 5:05 o'clock, on motion of Senator Gorman, the Senate went Into executive session ana at 5:45 adjourned. A quorum to vote on the Bland selgn* iorage bill could not be secured in the House, Wednesday. On motion to adjourn over until Friday because of Washington’s birthday a hot debate ensued. “If the Democratic party cannot do business,” said Mr. Bland, hotly, “itjhad better not fritter its time away on holidays. It would be a sorry spectacle for us to ad-, journ over.” Mr. Bland then made the point of order that no quorum having been developed the House could not entertain tho motion to adjourn over. The Speaker sustained tho point of order, and the vote was taken by yeas and nays on Mr. Bland’s motion to adjourn till Thursiay. , The motion was carried—l4o to 97. Before the announcement of the vote was made Mr. Burrows moved that when the House adjourn it adjouru to meet on Friday, but the Speaker decided tnat the motion was not In order, and then, at 4:05, the House adjourned till Thursday. But twenty-five members were present when the Senate convened at noon, Thursday. Senator Hoar had read a newspaper article alleging the circulation of lottery tickets ill Florida. Senator Pasco stated that the people of Florida wero taking steps to put down the foreign lottery business in Florida and denied the existenco of drawings in the State. On motion of Senator Gorman tho Senate agreed when it adjourned to-day it would be to meet on Monday next. Senator Martin, ofc Kansas, offered a resolution instructing tho finance committee to prepare a bill for the free coinago of silver at the rate of 16 to 1. He also presented a resolution directing the judiciary committee to prepares joint resolution providing for the election of Senators by direct vote of the people. At the conclusion of the routine morning business tho order of the reading of President Washington s farewell address was read. A number of Senators left the chamber before the reading commenced, leaving considerably less than a quorum in their seats. It was the signal also for an excuse froin the galleries, leaving a small but very attentive audienco. Mr. Martin stood beside the Vice-President while reading the memorable document. At 1:35 Senator 'Martin finished the reading of the address and on motion of Sopator Voorheos the Senate adjourned till Monday. - The attempt of the sergeant-at-arms to earrjr out the order for the arrest of ab-

sentees by arresting members, who refused to vote, on the floor of the House, Thursday, led to some sensational scenes. Representative Cummings, of New York, cam* down the middle aisle of the Boasfe just as the session was about to open. Depots Hill stepped op to him and notified him by virtue of the warrant be held Mr. Cummings would be placed under arrest and his parole taken. The Congressman flushed and took the matter seriously. He stepped back and In bitter langnag* denounced the effort to arrest him. H* refused to recognize the validity Of the warrant. “I’il give yon fair warning," said Mr. Cummings, “that if you touch me you act at your peril.” After ordei had been restored Mr. Cammings addressed the House and denounced tb« proceedings as a farce and desecration of Washington’s birthday. Aftei some parliamentary motions t* adjourn had been disposed of the chali stated the question to be upon Mr. Bland’* demand for the previous question upon hi! motion to discharge Mr. Hnilck from custody. As the House was dividing, Mr. Sickles, of New York, standing on hit crutches in the center aisle, was loudly calling for recognition, stating that h* had a question of the highest personal privilege to present. “I am informed,” said he, “that I am under arrest. I de* mand to know by what authority.” Mr Dockery, who was in the chair, declared that Mr. Sickles could not interrupt th« proceedings while the House was dividing. Mr. Sickles, however, insisted o» being heard, and Mr. Terry, of Arkansas, called him to order. The Speaker pra tern, ordered Mr. Sickles to take his seat Mr. Sickles declined to sit down. He said: “If I am under arrest I cannot be any worso off If lam in contempt. I am nnder arrest now, sir, and in custody of th* Sergeant-at-Arms.” All this time Mr. Sickles had been standing, demandint that he should be heard, and he was finally recognized. Mr. Sickles then said: “I an informed by the Sergcant-at-arms that 1 am under arrest, 1 demand to know it this is true.” The official report of arrests made by the Sergeant-at-Arms wai then read. “I demand a separate trial," said Mr. Sickles, after the reading of th» report was concluded. “This is the Hons* of Representatives,” finally shouted Mr Dockery, “not a beer garden. [Laughtei and applause.] The gentleman will bav* a separate trial if he desires it, bat th« rules must be obeyed. The gentlemaa will take his seat.” “I always obey orders,” said Mr. Sickles, as he sat down. After other members who had been arrested had been heard in their own behalf, Mr. Sickles again became excited and hot ly interrupted the proceedings, declaring that the warrant for the airest of absentees was void. The excitement grew to riotous proportions. Mr. Cummings came to the support of Sickles and wlti uplifted arm and ringing voice called out*. “You did not eail him to order at Gettysburg.” [Applause.] During all this tlm* Mr. Dockery had been counting the Hous* and at this point be announced that th« demand for the previous qnestios bad been carried 97 to 0. **Art you going to adjourn and leave m« in chains?" asked Mr. Sickles. In a mock piteously-appealing fashion. The motios to adjonrn was then put. As Mr. Bland, the recognized leader of the fight, had made it his supporters voted with him. one of them, Mr, Pendleton, of Texas, standing on top of his desk in the rear ol the hail. It was carried, 132 to 101, and at 3:05 the House closed one of the most exciting and disorderly sessions of this. Congress. s

MARTIN VAN B. SPENCER, Indiana’s New Pension Agent.