New-York tribune., 1880-02-20
FREE SPEECH IN THE HOUSE.
MR BLACKBURN DEFEATED IN HIS ATTEMPT TIC
PREVENT MIR. STEPHENS FROM SPEAKING on
TIE NEW rifles

MR BLACKBURN DEFEATED IN HIS ATTEMPT TO
PREVENT MIR. STEPHENS FROM SPEAKING ON
THE NEW RULES.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Fc6 19.-rhe House of Represent
atives was to-day, while in Committee of the
Whole the report Of the Committee on Rules. the
scene of n noteworthy parliamentary struggle.
Mr.. 4. II. Stephens is a member of the Committee
on Rules, bat during the last six weeks he has
taken no part in the debates on the report. This
morning he asked unanimous consent to speak for
ten minutes in opposition to the rule which, as re-
ported by the committee, permits political riders
upon appropriation bills. This consent Mr.. Black
burn. who is the Democratic leader In the House
nowadays, very ungraciously refused and in
sisted on the regular order.
The unfairness of Mr. Blackburn aroused the Re-
pubcans, and Mr.. Conger, of Michigan, immcd-
atcy moved that tho committee RISE The motion
was carried by the votes of the Republicans aided
by the Greenback and a few Independent
Democrats Mr.. C0nger then moved that the House
resolve itself into Committee of the Whole on the
State of the Union. This motion also prevailed by
q majority of three votes.
Mr. Blackburn, who was In a towering passion
over his defeat moved TO reconsider this vote, al
though he had voted in the negative. Nobody
knows better than Mr.. Blackburn that he had no
right TO make such motion, but he insisted upon
it, The Speaker ruled him cat OF order Then, as
soon as the House had resolved itself into Commit
tee Of the Whole, Mr. Blackburn demanded that
the Char should recognize him, although both
courtesy and usage entitled Mr.. Conger to the floor.
That gcntlema insisted upon his rights, and OBJ
tanned them
Nir Coneer made neat speech declaring that on
this occasion the Republicans had succeeded in win
ming victory for free speech and fair play. He
hoped that it would do the Democrats good to hear
some sound Democratic doctrine from an eminent
statesman. who embodied in himself the principles
Of the earlier and better Democracy-the Democracy
OF Jefferson Monroe and Jackson.
Mr.. Stephens then took the floor and made short
and very forcbe speech, full of warnings against
the revolutionary designs of the caucus Democracy.
Mr. Stephens denounced the doctrine ayowed by
Mr. Hurd of Ohio. the other day. that the
House has constitutional right to "rcdress
grievances by Withholding appropriations.
As undcmocratc and untenable. He explained
the provisions of the Confederate Constitution
which were discussed by Mr.. Conger and
Mr. Randall few days ago, and SAID
that he would like 70 see similar provisions
cmbolicd in the Constitution of the United states.
MIR Strphcus declared his unaltcrablc host Int 20
the folsfing of political legislation upon apprnpria-
ton bills and exposed the shabbrness ot the Demo
cratic prconce that that IL the only way 10 secure
economy m the administration of the Government.
The speech was received with marked attention by
members of both parties. and was frequently APP
plquded by the Republicans.
In the struggle which followed MIR. Stephens
spccch tre Republicans had the advantage until
near the hour OF Adjournment Aided by the Gtern-
hatk men aud the little knot Ol independents lcd
by Mr. Spcrr. of Georgia they succeeded IN beating
the caucus Democrats onseycIa test votes. Finally
however, the latter rallied, aud succeeded IN carry
ing a prupusition which leaves the Objectionable
rnlc where il was before Thus ended three days
fight over single clause OF one rne of the liousc
The result leaves the Democrats iully committed
to the revolutionary schemes they brought forward
at the extra session.