The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-04-26
fFrom the Cincinnati Enquircr.1
The Previous Question In Con-
Creses.l lis History.

kEe8HseAtS AAhosOsJs
Nothing marks the political degenera-
CIV of the times more than the frequercy
With which the previous question is call,
ed for in the Congress OF the United
States, aiid the one.hour rule enforced,
to shut of debate. This is invariably
done on the most important subjects
Seven amendments to the Constitution
of the United StatesAalbendneiits chan
cling lis nature and character, and yirtu'
ally subverting the Government--liave
been carried by the operation of the
previ5as Question. A gig has been put
into the. meuths of members. In the
earlier and better days Of the Republic
tliis was not so.. There was no restrie.
ton as to the length Of speeches until
the reckless Wing Congress assetiibled
in extra session tfiider tile call Of Cen
eral Harrison, in 1S41 1t was theh piss
ed in order to thrust upoti the people
ali the old Federal and semi nionarthi
cal measures, such as the National bank,
hiqh tariff, distribution of the proceeds
of the public lands among the states,
and the assumption of the debt OF the
States by the General Government. Un,
ablo.to endure the effects of discussion,
the only thing was to shut it OF and
prevent its recurrence. But it was only
introduced into the House. The Senate
did not, and to this day has never adopt.
ell it. As to the previous question, u
was not made rule of the House until
1911, more than twenty years after the
formation of tue Government. 1t was
then adopted in order to check the long
and interminable speeches of one Car
diner, of New York. But so sparlngly
was it used that there are only four IN
stances of its being called between ISL
and 1928, period of seventeen years
From that time it became more frequent
but the abuses of it we're not prominen
until the installation of the Republican
regime, who call for it upon all occa
sions. In the British House OF Com
mons the rule exists, but there has beer
mo instance of its enforcement for hun
dred years. In the House Of Peers it i
unknowu.
In 1871. when the House rule to limi
debate was first passed, Mr.. Clay threat
ened to bring it into the Senate. Ill
was told by the Democratic minority
by John C. Calhoun, Colonel Benton
Colonel King of Alaoama, DR.. Linn o
Missouri, and others, that both that ant
the nreyious question would be resisted
not only in the introduction, but in tn
enforcement. In other words. that the,
would physically resist and frequen
scenes of violence upon the floor OF tn
Senate would occur. Before this intre
nd determination even the imperiou
temper and IRON will Of Mr. Clay gay
way, and, despite his declaration, ne nev
er took any steps to enforce it. 1t wa
at this time Mr.. Calhoun made use Q
. the celebrated expression that those VIII
were crying "action! action" mean
"plunder. plumber"
The session of 1871 to which we hav
alluded shows what can be done in th
influence of legislation by an able an
fearless minority. Its proceedings Of
worthy of being studied and initiated b
the Democratic minority in the preser
: Congress. In 1s4l no long and elabol
ate speeches were made against the sys
TEN of Federal measures then bein
pressed. But caucus Of the Demo
cratic minority was held nightly, an
amendments agreed upon thst went t
!. the gist and substance of the question
!. involved. Upon these amendments sho
and practical speeches were delivered
, When they were disposed of, Other
were offered, and the majority was kel
constantly upon the defensive. Undt
this process the hold of the majorit
5 upon public sentiment gradually gay
5 way, so that it only required a veto {
two of the Acting President, Mr.. lyle
to produce an explosion and destroy ii
adhesiyencss OF the ruling party.