The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-03
THE MAJORITY POWER.
Change Of the Rules in the House Of
Representatives.
Speaker Blaine Champions the Rights
Of the Opposition.
PROLONGED DEBATE.
Exciting Speeches and Scenes
In the Chamber.
Struggle Of the Minority to Retain Their
Ancient Privileges.
FREE SPEECH TRIUMPHANT.
The Famous "18" Break the Radi-
cal Combination.
A PARTY DIVISION.
Butler and His Followers Igno-
nainiously Defeated.
Struggle Of the Minority to Retain Their
Ancient Privileges
FREE SPEECH TRIUMPHANT.
The Famous "18" Break the Radi-
cal Combination.
A PARTY DIVISION.
Butler and His Followers Igno-
rniniously Defeated.

WASHINGTON, Feb. q 1876.
The battle In the House over the new rule came
on to-day and with the singular result OF placing
General Butler, Mr.. Cessna. Mr. Tremain, and
ten or twelve administration republicans outside
the party lines The struggle lasted nearly all
day and victory rested eventually and clearly
with the famous eighteen. who eight days ago had
the courage to refuse to gag the House OF Repre-.
enta,tves. After some preliminary skirmisning,
which lasted two hours. two-thirds OF the House
agreed to q motion OF Mr.. Kasson to suspend the
rules so as to allow the Committee ON Rules TO
report. This resolution was nrst offered by Gen.
eral Butler. and was then voted down, 1t being
believed that It would enable General Butler to
get In the new rule, hitherto onered by him,
which was substan TALLY voted down last week by
help Of the eighteen Independent republicans, and
which is known as the gag rule. % the adoption
u Nj. KassonY motion Mr.. Garfield rose TO report
The new rule from the committee, and
Ihereupon ensued o remarkable scene,
kessrs. Randall, Holman. Cox and others
protesting that the committee had not met since
che motion referring the matter to them was
adopted. They had some sharp words with the
Speaker, but presently amid laughter ct some 70.
mark from Mr.. Cox. the turmoil ceased.
Alter Mr.. Garfield had explained the new rule
various amendments were offered. Of which only
two were In order under the rules. These were
By Mr.. Hale. OF Maine. and Mr.. Kasson, and were
unimportant notifications. General Butler valnly
tried to get in his new rule a. q substitute,
and when he saw that he was defeated,
ho turned about and endeavored to de-
ieat his own party; he rallied his fol.
lowers and determined to resist the seconding
Df the previous question: which was really the do.
Dtstve VOTE as the failure Of this would have Do.
Ieated the resolution.
By this time the House was fully awake and ex-
cited. and Buffers sudden jump outside Of the
party lines was vigorously met 1.-THE eighteen"
- the Independent republicans are called in the
House since the MONDAY on which they defeated
the gag" rule, were determined not to be beaten
by General Butler. Phelps, Roberts and others
hurried over to the democrats. and as these saw
that defeat here meant now efforts TO pass
the gag rule, all but seven democrats sec.
Onded the previous question, General Butler
and fourteen other republicans voting 'No"
After some speaking In which the Speaker took
part, the new RUE was then passed.
Alter the struggle was over there was
general rejoicing among the eighteen"
over their victory, and 1t was noticed
that the Speaker descended from his chair and
Joined IN their congratulations. The new rule IL
IN Improvement over the old one. 1t secures ar
EAST days discussion on all bills which have not
the favor OF two.thirds OF the House. and allo W.
aibusrering all bills which contain jobs or sub
ndies. II satisfies the reasonable men on both
ndes but it raises complaints from the admins.
ration men, who want 10 pass rapidly and with
out consideration or debate certain strong meas.
nrss against tine south. The rule 10 thus guar.
antee OF moderate counsels ana viii help toward
moderate measures.
TUT nrpArr rNr rrr1r r1Nrrcr