New-York tribune., 1875-01-25
PUTTING THE SOUTH AT THE MERCY OF
CONGRESS.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUs-LEADING REPUB-
LICANs TAKING NO PART-OBJECT OF THE PRO
POSED SUSPENSION OF TIE Two-THIRDs RULE
AN ENDFAVOR TO PLACE THE SOUTH UNDER
IMMEDIATE CONTROL OF THE PRESENT CONGRESS-.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsEl
WASHINGTON, Jan. "A The caucus OF Republi-
can members Of the House last evening was
attended by about two-thirds OF those who had
n right to participate, and managed by
the carpet-bagRers assisted by such men rs
Cessna Ward of IlDois Gen. Butler, and
Others of like calibor The leading men OF the
House. including Blaine, Dawes, Foster and others,
who have heretofore shaped the policy OF the party
and directed legislation, took part in the delibera
tiOns. although some of them were present lhe
only definite result Of the meeting was an agreement
10 move tomorrow to suspend the rules, in order TO
amend the rules in such o manner as To
prevent the defeat of measures by dilatory
motions or by what is known as fbustering.
Under the present rules, when motion to suspend
the rules is made on Monday or on one OF
the last ten days of the session, and the previous
question is ordered, only two or three da-
tory motions are III order before direct vote
must be taken on the question itself This
puts it into the power of two-thirds of the men,
bers of the House TO carry any measure III spite
Of all the opposition that the remaining one
third may make. On other days than those named
dilatory motions are always in Order and mi
nority large enough to call the Yeas and
Nays has it in its power TO block legislation or to
force the majority to modify its measures. The
proposed new rule ia to prevent this, and to give
bare majority Of the House the power TO force
through measure at any time it sees fit, jnst as
two-thirds can now Oh Mondays and the last ten
days Of the session.
The direct object of this new rule ia to give the
ID. tIo RinItS hill
further legislation f,r the reconstruction of the
South the power to pass those at anv time,
which they fear they ca3not now do for want OF q
two-thirds vote This must be done this session il
at all since the next House will pat its foot down
on all repressive legislation affecting the South. In
other words, the country having, through the Fall
elections set its seal of Gsapproval upon the Repub
iii1an party and its r2!cy. especially toward the
South the carpet -baSgeis and ther supporters pro-
pose to force upon the country during the few weeks
they remain in power, the very measures thar the
people have decided they do not want, and
to do tLis they pTOrOSe 70 curtall still
further the powers Of the minority in the House.
The Democrats are very indignant at this proposed
action, which they consider an attack upon their
rights although. in fact, the Republicans. who are
to be in tae minority in the ncXt House, are likely
to suffer most and longest, should such a rule be
adopted The carpet-baggers who managed the
caucus are by no means of getting two-tnrds
vote for their new rule tomorrow, sOme OF the
best and most influential Republicans i'll the House
will vote in the negative. A proposition TO make
appropriations for the army for two years was dis
cussed but not agreed upon.