The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-09

vote in detail-
Charles o. NeIii, John NJ BToomall
VIM. Kelley AdanS j. Gtoss6renner.
fhSddsSs stevens Sgs' 2i'Ss' Storgs T. goo%sard.
Ulysses Msrcur, DgnieI M: Pdn Auken
Stephen F. F. WiSon and tos" democrats. ats psno
John Covode, Gratis in italics.
S James X; uS6,o MS1orhead'
Total, ls-i2 Republicans
and Democrat.
Henry L, Cake GIenni W. ScoHeld,
Daniel ]. Morren, Darwin \. Finney.
This latest proof of the spirit of the House,
given by such decided majority, may be con-
sidered as settling, for some time to come, the
policy of the Government.
Whether or not it can be con-
strued into a declaration in favor of
farther Expansion, we cannot tell. The
unjust and injurious policy of moving the
previous question on such an important topic,
and thus cutting off debate, prevents all
opportunity of an explanation of their votes
by any of the members, and leaves us without
any guide as to the feeling of the House save
on the direct question at issue. We cannot
depreoate in too strong language this rule.
1t has been years since we had what may be
called debate ia the House. Whenever an
important question comes up, instead of hav-
ing that free and able interchange of opinions
for which Congress is compelled to
assemble together, the previous question
is moved, and the only persons who
have any voice in the framing Of our laws
are the members of the committee who had
the matter in hand. 1t has been frequently
remarked, and, in fact, openly acknowledged
by members, that by this means all chance for
a compromise is cut off, and the friends of the
movement who are in favor of its modifca-
tion, have no alternative but to vote with its
enemies or accept it as it comes from the COM
mittee We send representatives there to
counsel together and to harmonize views, not
to leave everything to the discretion of COM
mittee. If the ''previous question" had been
in use in the days of our forefathers, we would
never have had Unien or Constitution. 1t
was only by mutual compromise and concilia-
tion that they were effected; but now bare
majority seems disposed to tyrannize over
those who differ from them in opinion. We
refer to no political party, for it frequently
happens that the same result is achieved by
the votes of the Democracy, as was shown on
Saturday by the impeachment vote. We think
that the rule allowing the "previOus ques-
tom should be repealed. A wearisOme de-
bate is better than systematic gag law.
We have Been led to this depression by the
uncertainty resulting from the forced vote on
the contraction question, and the doubt as to
whether it can be so construed as to favor inha-
tion. While we are glad to see the action
taken, yet we do not believe that further infa-
tion at present is sound policy. What the
exigencies of the future may require that
future only can reveal, but it is well to re-
member that while we may ride clear of the
present storm by means of further issue of
''greenbacks, - yet we are in the condition of
ship running before the wind-it is all safe
and pleasant sailing so long as We continue in
that direction, but the longer we continue the
harder and the more dangerous will be the
final return to the destination from which we
have been drifting. AS the tendency now
to be rather in favor Of yielding to the
wind, If we can describe imitation by that
simile, we would impress on our Legislators
the difficulty of ultimately reaching the
Wished-tor harbor Of specie payment.
in connection with this subject we can but
Impress upon Congress the sentiments o