REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr. KERCHEVAL moved to take up the majority and minority reports from the Committee on elections, returning the bill [H. R. 263] to repeal the act of March 11, 1867, amending the Evansville charter--the minority recommending the indefinite postponement of the bill.
Mr. WELBORN moved, ineffectually, to lay the motion on the table--yeas 26, nays 43--and then the said reports were taken up the question being concurrence in the majority report.
Mr. KERCHEVAL took the floor, but--
Mr. WELBORN insisted that the question was still under stress of the previous question.
The SPEAKER entertained the point of order as well taken.
Mr. KERCHEVAL acquiesed.
Mr. DITTEMORE moved, ineffectually, for a call of the House.
The SPEAKER then directed the vote to be called.
Mr. CALVERT asked to be excused from voting.
The SPEAKER said the question of excuse could not be entertained at this stage under the previous question.
Mr. WELBORN said the demand for the previous question had not yet been seconded by the House.
Mr. JOHNSON of Marshall's, recollection was that it had been seconded.
The journal showed nothing that, could decide between them.
After further examination--
The SPEAKER said that it appears from the journal, that the demand was not seconded, and therefore the House is not acting under the previous question.
Mr. KERCHEVAL desired only a fair discussion of the bill on its merits.
Mr. RATLIFF demanded the previous question.
The SPEAKER now decided that the question properly before the House is the appeal of Mr. Coffroth.
Mr. OSBORN contended that these collatteral questions fell by the adjournment.
The SPEAKER held accordingly. The House has only taken up the majority and minority reports.
Mr. WELBORN warmly resisted the decision, and he asked to be excused from voting on the main question, and demanded the yeas and nays.
Mr. RATLIFF contended that there would be no end to delays if members were allowed page: 544[View Page 544] the yeas and nays on a motion to be excused from voting.
The SPEAKER. There would be an end when all the members might be excused. The Chair holds that the demand for the yeas and nays must be entertained.
Mr. RATLIFF appealed from the decision, but subsequently withdrew it.
Mr. WILDMAN moved that when the House shall adjourn to-day, it shall be till Monday ten o'clock, a. m.
The motion was adopted.
The vote was then taken, and Mr. Welborn was not excused from voting--yeas 35, nays 43.
Mr. GORDON, when his name was called, asked to be excused from voting.
The SPEAKER refused to entertain the application.
Mr. WELBORN moved to reconsider the vote just taken.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM moved to lay Mr. Welborn's motion on the table.
Mr. WELBORN demanded the yeas and nays.
Mr. RATLIFF asked to be excused from voting, and thereupon demanded the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER could not entertain the application.
The vote was reported--yeas 31, nays 44, so the vote against excusing Mr. Welborn was not reconsidered.
The motion was passed over at this stage for the consideration of the special order.
