New-York tribune., 1879-04-10
RULES FOR TIE HOUSE.
REPORT ny THE SPECIAL CoMMITTEE-sUCCEssFCl
DEFENCE OF THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL

REPORT BY THE SPECIAL COMMIT lhh-sICOLNof "
Defence or THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEL
WASHINGTON April 9.-Thc House of Representa-
tves has been proceeding thus far during the extra
session without rules. Several important amend
ments 70 the rules of the last House have been re-
ferrcd 10 the committee which was appointed early
in the session. and a report from that committee
was; presented this morning upon which the en-
tire day was consumed. The leading features of
this report were recommendations raising again the
select Committees on the Census, Reform Of the
Civil. Service. State of the Law respect
ing ascertainmcnt of the vote for Presi-
dent and Vice-President, epidemic diseases
ventilation of the hall Of the House, and the causes
of depression of labor; increasing the me1berslip
Of several of the more important committees as
has heretofore been reported, and recommending
the adoption of new rule providing
that a motion to suspend the rules to
pass any general appropriation bill should have an
affirmative vote of three-fOurths Of the members
present.
This new rule gave rise TO debate which con-
tnued for about two hours and half Rep
resentatIves who have shown the greatest
interest in the passage Of the River and Iarbor
bills during the XLlVth and XLVth Congresses,
which have been rushed through the House with
out discussion under a suspension of the rules,
nj once came to the conclusion that tins
new regulation was intended TO throw OBJ
stacles in the way of that measure. By
loC-rolling and skilful construction of the
River and Harbor BILL il has been possible for the
last four wears TO obtain 2 two-thrds vote for its
passage but TO secure threefourths of the members
would probably be impossible. Several very strong
speeches were made in favor of this rule, which the
danger of passing such important legislation without
discussion was strlkingly shown. Mr.. Blackburn
and Mr. Cox were the leaders on this side of the
debate. Mr.. COnger opposed the new rule and Mr.
Reagan, of Texas. who was chairman of the Com
mittee on Commerce in the last Congress and eX-
poets to be in this, made a long speech, not
only oppos ng the new regulation, but defending
the general policy of making large appropriations
for rivers and harbors When the vote was taken,
an amendment TO the new rule offered by Mr.. Rca
gan striking it out altogether, was adopted.
very important amendment offered by General
Garfield. making 1t ont of order to permit general
legislation of any character to be attached to
appropriation bills, was defeated by vote of 11O
in the affirmative to 129 in the negative. The
division in this vote was almost strictly party
lines, although the Greenbackers with the excep-
tou of De La Matyr, voted with the kepuollcans.
new rule providing that private bills and JOINT
resolutions which have been printed by order OF
either house of the preceding Congress Snail not DO
again printed at the expense OF the Government
until after reference t. q committee and report
thereon. was adopted. This rnle will save the Gov
erument an immense expense III the way of printing.
and will probably prevent III. lntIoducti0A
OF many private bills. is long as the old practice
Of printing all private bills introduced continued,
members were in tho habit Of introducing these
measures and having them referred 70 committee
in order that they might send printed copies OF them
10 their constituents even though they knew euCh
bills were never to be aCted upon.
4 new rnie. providing that the Committees of
WAYS and Means, Banking and Currency, and Com
nge shall have leave to report at any time, ana mat
on motion OF any member, q majority of the House
will fix dav for the consideration oI any public
bill reported by either 0f these committees was
agreed To. This rule will give these three finance
committees facilities for getting their business
before the House which thev have never before
possessed. Another Amendment 10 the rules which
was adopted. and which will promote legislation
provide. mat the morning hour shall not bc dle-
pcnscd with on any day for any purpose except 10y
vote of two-thirds OF the members present