The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-01
THE STRUGGLE ON CIVIL
RIGHTS.

scribers FREE OF POSTAGE.
THE STRUGGLE ON CIVIL
RIGHTS.
The struggle Oh the civil rights bill was
temporarily suspended, Friday, only to be
renewed again to-day, unless, in the mean
while, way is found out of the difficulty.
This can be accomplished, as it seems to
us, only in one of two or three ways.
Either the majority of the house must
make square back down and allow fac
tious minority to dictate the course OF leg
isation, the democrats must submit to the
rule that majorties govern, or the rules of
the house must be so amended as TO allow
the republican majority to act as they
deem the public good requires. Unless the
latter takes place, we presume that the re-
pubicans will still insist upon definite ac-
ton on the civil rights bill, ard refuse to
shape their course by the wishes of their
opponents. In this, we believe, they wonld
be sustained by the country. If the demo-
Gratis wish to make distinct issue on this
question ana 80 before the country on it,
we take 1t that there will be no objection
to such course on the republican side.
If they take the responsibility of defeating
all legislation by captious opposition, lc'
them do it, and The country will pronounce
verdict between the two-and il does moi
require much knowledge of the popular
mind to predict what that verdict will be.
1t is impr' bable to suppose that the demo-
Gratis will consent to tlD passage of the
bill AMI simply content themselves with re-
corhiug their votes against it. They have
got their fn t in, am it would be difficult
To- set il GU. even il they were so disposed,
and we apprel,end that their disposition is
otherwise. They have altogether too much
of the bourbon element about them 10 al
low of this, and, moreover, they have
showed that lack Of braius-that Waierson
of the Courier J0NyAdl predicted would
cause their downfall-in getting into the
scrape at all. If we are right in predicting
that there will he no backing down on
either sidc-one ON account of right and
the other through obstinacy-then the
question remains whether the majority
ought to maintain the struggle at the ex-
pepse of all other legislation and of an
extra session, or whether there is not rea-
sonabe and proper way in which the diff
flculty may be obviated and other necessa
ry business transacted.
BY the rules of the house. as they now
stand, nearly every measure is at the mer-
cy Of an united minority of one-fiflh of the
house, as they can alternate motions to ad-
Journ and motions to adjourn to day ce.-
tain forever and compel the calling
of the yeas and nays upon each of said
mo.,ons. Thus, it will he seen, that
without a change of the rules, this iiibus-
terng can and will continue until physical
endurance ceases. BY majority vote,
however, these rules may be changed at
any time on one days notice, while a two
thirds vote is required for their suspension
The republicans have majority of two
thirds, and it is, therefore, within their
power to settle this matter, to-day, If they
act untedly An attempt was so made a
week ago, but it failed, and justly so,
through the votes of republicans. That
measure, however, was not so mnch o
change as a suspension of the rules for the
present session only. The objection on the
part of the republicans being that it would
open the door to frauds and jobs, in that a
bare majority could, at any time, spring a
measure on the house and force it through
without any time being afforded for exam
nation. Another objection was that it
would be unfair for the present majority to
were unwilling to accord to their opponent:
in the next house. For these reasons and
others, enough republicans united with the
democrats to defeat the. proposed suspen.
sion of the rules Now, it seems proper
that the republicans should take the neccs
sary steps to protect themselves, and, al
the same time, secure all reasonable right.
to the minority, but not to the extent of al
lowing them, at their own sweet wills, t.
block the wheels of legislation unless they
are permitted to dictate its course and or
der. We believe that, after the disgracefu
scenes OF last week, the majority ought tC
take such steps, and we believe: moreover
that the country would sustain them in 81
doing This seems simple enough Of &C
complshment by making a permanent, in
stead of temporary, change Of the rules
and further providing that no measure shall
be finally acted upon until the expiration o
n certain number of days after its intro
duction. 1t may be proper, too, to allow
reasonable time for, and reasonable mum
Der of amendments, to be offered and act
ed upon. This would prevent the hast,
rushing through of jobs and other doubtful
legislation, would protect the reasonabl
rights OF the minority, prevent factou
opposition and shameful waste of time
and would be AS fair for one party as TO
the other. We have reason to believe tina
such course will be taken. If proposed
it ought to pass We should much prefe
to take the verdict of the country on sue
a course, than to take the responsibility O
allowing the democrats to obstruct all leg
islation by continuance of filibusterine
although, in either event, we believe tina
the country would sustain the republlca
party.
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T1LTON-BEECHEH