New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-06
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.
THE MACHINERY OF CONGRESS.

legislative bodies there few who not often
puzzled TO understand the methods by which bills are
passed, and business transacted They find one occa
sion that the objection OF single member prevents a
bill from passing while perhaps the next day 20 men are
powerless to hinder passage OF the came measure
and they ready 10 excam in the language OF Arte
mus Ward, "why this thusi" They do not know the
meaning OF many terms used in legislative proceedings
The morning hour" which sometimes late IN the
afternoon Is mystery to them. The regular order"
appears TO be anything but regular They do not know
how business gets upon the Speakers table, or how
gets off, and they ignorant Of the workings Of that
mighty engine, the previous question" They would
like 10 know how and why the rules suspended what
becomes Of bills that laid upon the table, something
OF the workings Of Committees, and their powers and u
ties and many other things that would give them fuller
understanding OF the talking and voting In Congress.
At the suggestion Of a reader Of THE TRIBUNE, will
give brief this letter OF how bills originate
referred, reported, considered and passed In the
House OF Representatives explaining the usual cour" Of
proceeding 1t would not De possible IN newspaper let
ter to describe the method Of legislative proceeding
under all circumstance for the rules OF the House alone
make a volume OF respectable size, and the precedents
and decisions, which have the force Of rules even
voluminous. These rules have been the powh Of
centuries OF parliamentary experience. They might IN
the words which Judge Bingham il so fond Of applying
TO the common law, be styled "the gathered wisdom Of
thousand years." and probably little, II any, improve
ment could be made upon them.
Let us suppose o member, whom Will call Mr. Smith,
is DESTROYS OF securing the passage OF bill lie must
first introduce it, and this he do in two ways ON
every alternate Monday, in the morning hour" the
States called in order for the introduction Of bib
for reference, and member can when MS State IL
called present his bill, and have it sent TO the appro
pirate Committee, he can offer IT, by unanimous con
sent, before the regular order has beeh demanded
in the morning, or Just before the adjOuru-
ment, and have 1t referred II he can get the hoor
for the purpose but the objection OF single memberwi
prevent reception. In either the bill sconsdercd
to have been read first and second time" but In fact
nothing but the title will have been read Any member
can demand the reading OF the bill in full but this Is
seldom done that the first and second readings may BE-
considered as legislative ctions. After the bin leaves
the members hands ii taken possession OF first by the
Journal Clerk, who makes note OF IT, and next by the
Printing Clerk II it is ordered 10 be printed who sends
to the Congressional Printing Office. IL comes back In
day or two and is then taken by another clerk the
room OF the Committee whom it is referred aud H.
entered by it's title upon their docket. The member who
introduced has further control IT, and II.
fate depends upon the Committee A committee h
legislative body in miniature with chairman aud clerk,
and from five TO fifteen members the usual number
being nine. Committees OF two kinds standing and
select the former being regularly appointed at the he
ginning Of each Congress under standing rule Of the
House. while the latter created for special purposes
by resolution, and expire with the Congress in which
they raised. Some committees meet every day
others once, twice, three times week. while Others Of
little Importance meet only when called together by their
charmen
Mr. Smiths bill, the course OF which tracing,
will in due time be considered by the Committee TO which
it has been referred The chances thai will be speed
lily "pigeOnhoed" and forgotten for not oneenth Of all
the bills introduced merit any serious attention, even
the light after they first referred Most Of them
introduced solely for buncOmbe by members who
want TO make their constituents think they taking
prominent part I'm the work of legislation. Sometimes
half dozen will introduce bills the same sub
ject great many bills, and perhaps majority, are
not drawn by members at ALL but gotten up By out
siders, who have scheme claim job, land grant or
some species of grind and who look about until
they find member willing to father their bills and send
them TO a Committee. Let us suppose, however, that
Mr. Smiths bill is OF some importance IL viii, IN that
case, be first referred by the Chairman Of the Committee
to some member for examination and will usually IN
week be reported back for action when Mr. smith
will be given opportunity to explain and advocate Il
before the Committee. and attorneys, populations, or
other persons interested will perhaps have the
privilege. The Committee may amend the bill, sub
stitutc new bill their for H. may agree 10 rpoft
it favOrably to the House adversely or not to report
il all and have in short full control it, unless,
happens in instances, the House nstructs them TO
report il back. They may may not submit written
report upon IT, The Committees the real pow that
control the action Of the House and shape legislation
II would De impossible for any member to find time 10
investigate and understand tenth part Of the great
number Of subjects embraced in the Of Congres
sonal action, that without Committees To digest and
prepare business and select the important from the I'M
important intelligent legislation would be out ofthe
question.
We next come to the in which a committee
brings its business before the House and secures action
upon It, -Four ont of the 50 committees can, under the
rules report any time. These are Elections, Appro
priatons Ways and Means, and the Select Commtte" on
Resonsruction-the it important 10 de-
eide questions affecting the rights OF members 10 their
seats as speedily possible and the second and third
on account OF the necessity Of prompt action measures
to raise revenue and appropriate money 10 carry on the
Government This privilege accorded To the Recon
reasons and ought not 10 De longer continued. Ihis
power Of reporting at any time does not enable theSe
committees the House TO consider their business
when reported The question Of consideration can ho
raised and majority refuse to take up the business
IL is customary for these privileged committees, when
reporting BILL o. get day fixed for IT, cohsideiatloh'
when will run from day 10 day until disposed OF
All other Committees report In turn when called IN me
"morning hour" The mOrning-h0u except on mon
DAYS rs set apart for reports Of Committees, and com
mespces imnedately after the House meets and the
journal has been read unless delayed by some pVegea
or by unfinished business the day before Each Com
mtee is entitled when 10 two successive
morning hours but AT the end OF the second II nhsa
bill pending it goes over aud holds the hour rom day To
day until disposed Of Two different calls OF Committees
are constantly progressing for private business %"
davis Wednesdays, aud Thursdays-priYale business
meaning affecting individuals sich a. eLal1s
pensions &c. During long session IKE ths present
CommHtee will usually be called about four tllD's.
Let us suppose Mr. Smiths bill TO have bcth agreed 10
by the committee having IL in charge and that the char
man Of the committee has presented II 20 te ouss IN
one OF the morning hours 10 which ms committee Is en-
titled The member reporting Dill Is entitled 70 me
floor for one hour before and one hour amer the previous
question ia ordered aud may yield to others giving
few minutes 10 man or allowing ahother 70 Onsr sh
onn a. M the end OF an hour he loses the hoor when
no demands the preyous question: debate ceases AMI the
soesteT says Is there second" and proceeds 10 count
tie House II majority vote by rising or by ellers 10
econd the demand the speaker says There Is second
mai the main question he putf This second vote
NAV i've taken BY yeas aud nays but the first cannot
N a majority vote Ia the ainIlhjiNc thc man