"I don't know, sir; but I can't put my hand on it."
"Well," said Carlton, addressing the Chairman, "I have a typewritten copy of the measure in my pocket, and if the Chairman is agreeable, I will have that read in place of the original bill."
Jesse Hudson was on his feet in an instant.
"I object," he shouted. "I object to this method of doing business. We have very important matters to consider before this Committee and we cannot afford to transact them in an irregular and possibly an illegal manner. The only bills that this Committee has a right to consider are the bills that are in its custody. If you permit the members to substitute other bills at their pleasure, no one can tell where it will lead nor what the consequence may be."
"But," persisted Carlton, "the bill that I am going to hand you is identical with the one that was in the possession of the Committee."
"That may be," was Hudson's smooth retort, "but it is not the identical bill that was before the Committee. I object to its consideration."
His remarks appeared to have made some impression upon the members of the Committee. Indeed, one of the Congressmen, who was known to be friendly to Carlton, arose in his place and said:
"I think there is some merit in what Mr. Hudson says. At any rate it will do no harm to postpone this matter until the public printer can supply the Committee with another copy of the bill."
"Am I to regard that as a motion?" queried the Chairman.
"Yes, sir," was the response.