The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-24
RULES OF THE H0USE-DELAY OF BUSINESS
THE CAUSE

Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, men,
bers of the House employed themselves in a
general discussion Of the causes of the delay
"a transacting the business of legislation. 1t
was admitted on all hands, that there was in
excusable delay but opinions differed respect
ing the true cause of it, Some denounced the
rules az Icing complicated and contradictory
some implicated the Speaker some arraigned
the Chairmen of the Committees of the House
some denounced the body itself
Ii seems to us that the rules are neediessly
complicated In the desire TO guard the rights
of the minority, the majority has been 80 ham
pered, thai it is in the power of a mere faction
il the Speaker be 10 It's interest, to obstruct all
legislation 1t will be observed in reading
che proceedings of the HOUSE from day to day,
that the common motion lT, to suspend me
rules, for the purpose Of proceeding TO some
special business Ia fact little business il
done, except under n suspension of the rules
How can code OF regulations he servlceable,
when conformity Ia them is the exception, and
6ellulB tHtm hclOt IN tue fuf
But the rules cannot be suspended unless
by twO-thirds vote; ~ that, although a large
majority may bc in favor of some important
measure it may ind itself unable TO reach it.
IN conSeq uence ot the will Of factious minor
lty
AS H. the imputatioa Of inethcency against
the Speakers Of the House they are not emit
tied TO much weight. They are efficient enough
but something more than efficiency in requires
IN the presiding officer of such II body ~ tn,
United States House OF Representatives. H'
must be independent of faction, Independent
of local interests and courageous enough
while protecting the rights of a minority to Ne
cure to the maturity it, legitm weight W.
do not say that the present Speaker il def
eient on these points but we do say that Tia
Speaker of the last House Mr.. Cobb, was de
ON the Slavery Question, he WAS the orgaa Of I
faction. He gave such construction to Tia
rules, as put it in the power OF forty men
TOR any length Of time, wickedly to thwart th'
country forgotten how the measure of the nd
mission of California IA n State was Tough
from day to day, and week to week by thi
small faction with Mr. Cobb ~ its exponen
expressed will OF sD immense majority of tn
House, representing an immense majority G
the American People, By motions made sin
ply to arrest all business by asking to Le eS
cused from voting ior no reason, and then DE-
mandng the yeas and nays ON the questio
whether the member should be excused b
alternating tho same motions with eternal coll
for the yeas and nays, all Legislation was mad
impossible, and the morale OF the House wa
debauched.
BAD precedents are dangerous. Faction ha
been learning ts strength ever since the agits
ton OF the Slavery Question in Congress, i
1893 1t wa organized under the auspices ,
che Slave Power 1t has been tostered by tn
Slave Power for the purpose of putting dow
the right Of petition and the freedom of debat
IL has been tolerated by sober minded raprl
sentatives opposed tn Anti-Slayery movement
because it directed it, efforts specially for the
suppression II developed itself in its ill
strength during the last Congress, when
invilen the House and Obstructed all legi
lation by expedicnts which oould be justite
by no cause which would not justify revolt
zion.
Was il 10 be expected that with such an 81
ampAc of what might he accomplished by il
power, its action would be confined to que
tons of Slavery! The proceedings of I'll
House during the present Congress show clea
iy enough that it has extended its range, 20 |
u comprehend other subjects rspuynsDt 10 Il
views of minority II, for example, bj
which it dsllkes, lies upon the'Speaker's tabl
having precedence Of many other importal
measures it will sacrifice them ALL ratb
than allow that to be fairly considered aI
It uDscrupulously resorts 10 oil sorts OF m
lions TO prevent the consideration of
measure On which il knows the majority h.
made up its mind The object is, not to sav
time for eOnsideraiion--na ~ prevent haste
not n secure D full attendance VI the men
bers-n0t 10 prevent snap Judgment from b
ing taken-but 1t IS simpiy 70 defeat fair e
preston Of the viii Of majority, acting ait
due dsliberation, and uader the rules Of q