The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-09-27

From tho washington Sentinel

The Committee on Rules of the House
of Representatives recently met at Long
Branch, and announced that they had
greatly improved the parliamentary meth
DDS of transacting business; had reduced
the number of rules considerably, and
Ind provided for the control of the
majority moro efTectually than under the
existing system Undoubtedly the House
rules are complicated and require to
be condensed and simplifed, for the bene-
fit of the new legislator, and for many of
the old stock too, who give but little atten-
ton to the indispensable forms upon which
the success of Legislation materially de-
ponds.
So far as the majority are concerned, no
change was required for their protection.
Maiorities usually know how to take care
of themselves, and the rules of parliamen~
tary bodies in constitutional governments
are generally supposed to provide for the
minority, who are comparatively powerless
without that protection. We shall be curl
Gus to see, therefore, i'll what respect the
committee have strengthened the hands of
the majority.
The change most needed, and most diff
cult to effect, is that of the autocratic
authority of the Speaker, which, in
the last twenty years has come to be an
anomaly, if not an enormity, in legislation.
The Constitution never contemplated the
possibility of such a growth of power in
the hands of one man as now exists, and it
was never attempted to be used until the
civil war made men too familiar with every
form of abuse, and check was found to be
impracticable in the midst of bloody strife.
anVninfa oil apYopniftaaG
'unless otherwise specially ordered by the
House. This authority creates an inter-
ested party inside the House for the Speak
er from the very start, usually composed of
the leading men of both sides. Chairman
ships and places on the Ways and Means,
the Appropriations, the Judiciary, Com
meree, Claims, Foreign Affairs, Military
Affairs, Indian Affairs, Post Office and
tories, and the like are eagerly sought after
hands of advancing the importance of
whatever members his partially may select
for these commanding positions
1t is supposed by those not familiar with
the usages of legislation that the member
who rises first in his place to address the
Speaker is recognized and given the floor.
LIS DTdCulCo ID ulICCbly OPPOoAtCs AhO
order of debate is determined by private
list of the Speaker, or of the chairman for
the time being, and his discretion is abso>
ute. So that to exercise one of the origi-
nal rights of membership it is necessary to
appeal personally to the Speaker for per-
mission, and, III fact, to solicit favor at
lis hanps, which makes the applicant a
partial dependant,
&c hoo Ian fn | 4
buse of power, affecting the interests of
he people at large. A member cannot offer
n important resolution or measure of any i
ind, with the least expectation of hear .
ng without first consulting the Speaker and
blaming his consent and cooperation. An
mbitious, dangerous and venal speaker .
as, by these various resources, the reins ,,
f legislation in his grip and may pull them = =
lent to the Speaker, instead of the Speak
r being the servant of the House to ex- Z
cute its orders.
Colfax and Blaine, especially the latter
y his more affirmative character, shaped
gislation to suit themselves the party
it'll which they acted, or the special inter
its they represented. A
kept in the dispensation of patronage,
lie Speaker exercises more power than any A
ficer of the Government, and it reaches
lrther than that of the Executive. A O.
'eat principle is involved, and not the ~
of the Speaker, In CURLING this
constitutional prerogative.
1t is difficult to reform in this direction,
,cause the Speaker is er Cbicj0 Chairman
the Committee on Rules, and the MEM
,rs are mostly composed of men whom he :.
Is elevated to distinction in the House, n
me of whom, at least, expect to occupy
Q chair themselves in the course of politi-
! events. Therefore, while one class do
1t desire to offend the Speaker, another Sc
ass do not care to strike at his authority, =
the remote hope of being called to use it.