The Presiding Officer. Certainly it is in order.[134]
Mr. Weller (of California). I desire to make one remark in regard to the rule.
The Presiding Officer. It is not in order now. The question must be taken without debate.
Mr. Sumner. Allow me to state the case as it seems to me. I was on the floor, and yielded it to the Senator from Wisconsin strictly for the purpose of an explanation. When he finished, I was in possession of the floor; and then it was that the Senator from Louisiana, on my right——
The Presiding Officer. Will the Senator from Massachusetts give leave to the Chair to explain?
Mr. Sumner. Certainly.
The Presiding Officer. A point of order was made by the Senator from California [Mr. Gwin], that debate was not in order upon the question of granting leave; and the Chair so decided. The Senator from Massachusetts then lost the floor, as I apprehend, and he certainly did by following it up by an appeal. After that he could go no further. He lost the floor then again for a second time, and then it was that the Senator from Louisiana intervened with another motion, which is certainly in order, to lay the appeal on the table. That is not debatable. This, it seems to me, is the state of the case.
Mr. Chase (of Ohio). Will the Chair allow me to make a single statement?
The Presiding Officer. Certainly.