The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-02-26

Bill Rfders.-Frank
Hnrd Talks.
A warm discussion has been going
on in the House at Washington over
revision of the rules. Rule 81 has
been the bone of contention. AS re-
ported from the committee it does not
prohibit legislation matters being
tackled on to appropriation bills as has
ever been the practice. The Republi-
cans have been trying to amend the
rule so as TO deprive the majority in
Congress from changing legislation
through appropriation bills, The ring
ing, telling speech thus far on the
question was made by Hon: Frank
Hurd ON Tuesday, the 17th inst, of
which the following is q telagraphic
synopsis:
Mr.. Hurd made q speech in opposi-
ton to taking away from the House
the power to legislate upon appropri-
alton bills. That power might be taken
away if both houses could originate
the bills for revising the revenue. His
tory incontestibly demonstrated that
the provision of the Constitution,
which lodged in the House OF Repre-
sentatives the power TO originate rev.
enue bills, had been inserted in order
TO give the Representatives of the
people control of the purse, and there
by compel the redress OF grievances
OF which the House might complain,
and secure the adoption of healthiul
measures of legislation.
The House of Representatives was
authorized to say TO the President, Ii
grievances are not redrcssed, there
shall be no appropriation OF money
made That would be impossible il
such q proposition as that contained
in the amendment offered by the gen.
tleman from Georgia, (Speer) were
agreed to. The result would be tha
the President would approve the ap.
preparation bills and veto the bills
changing the law.
The propositions from the gentle
men from Georgia and Ohio (SpeeI
and Warren,) would be the surrende
of the power of the House to redress
grievances through appropriation bills
That might be done, but only by
Constitutional amendment, not by
mere change of the rules of the House
Even il it could be done in that wa
IL would be unmanly at any time an
under any exigency for the House t
surrender that power. Standing as
did, the House should retain that po "
or in self respect. To surrender
would be an admission of irresponsi
bility, q confession that il was fearfu
to legislate. The Democratic part
had entered into the contest at the ez
ira session. The power which it ha
asssiled had been entrenched benin
the executive authority. 1t knew
could not win In one day, but it ha
found this right to refuse appropris
tons of use. Through it the Demo
cratic party had obtained imparti,
juries, and an army shorn of most {
it's dangerous power, and now, rigi
in the midst of the contest, it was pro
posed to give up the power which hs
obtained this partial victory. An a
founding proposition, A surrendt
OF colors in the face of the foe; a
7 abandonment of vantage ground
the heat of the fight, were offens'
scarcely excusable in military warfar
, They were inexcusable here in tt
midst of the contest for the. liberties (
, the people. [Applause on the Demo
cratic side.J
He insisted that the Democratic m.
. jority of the House should stand upo
the Constitution, exercise every rigl
which the Constitution has given
for the vindication of the people
rights, and abate not q jot or title I
i, its power until the last vestige of Ii
military power should have dfsal
peared from the peaceful States of tt
Union. Loud applause on the Den
, ocratic side.