New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-05
NEW RULES FOR THE HOUSE.

AN ANIMATED DISCUSSION EXPECTED-PRoPosED
AMENDMENTS BY Mr.. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TO PORTIONS OF THE REPORT.
IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUYE.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.--The discussion OF the re-
port of the Committee on Rules. which will begin in
the House next Tuesday, is likely to prove an ami
mated and protracted one. Mr.. Stephens said to-
day that he thinks 1t will continue at least a week.
Although the report was signed by all the members
of the committee, it is known that several of them
will offer amendments to it in the House. 1t appears
that after the committee began its work last
Summer it was agreed, upon the motion Of
Alexander II. Stephens, that wherever change of
the rules was proposed to which all the members of
the committee could not agree it should I've passed
by, in order that all the changes and notifications
which could be agreed upon should come before the
House. on the unanimous recommendation of the
committee. At the same time 1T was understood
that each member OF the committee would be per-
fectly free TO offer such amendments as he might
choose in the House In accordance with this agree
ment every question of a partisan character has
been held in allegiance thus far.
1t is understood that Representative Blackburn
will, when the time comes, offer amendment, un-
der the operation of which, if adopted. members may
be compelled to vote on every question when they
are present 1t is said Mr. Blackburn is "spoiling'
for speech on this question, and that he will make
q very strong effort to secure the adoption of his
amendment Another Democratic member of the
committee says that, while he would be glad to see
such a rule in force he has expectation that il
will ever be adopted. He thinks that neither party
will be willing TO abridge the rights of the minority,
which, although Republican now, is quite likely TO
bs Democratic in the next Congress.
If the rules are adopted in the form agreed upon
by the committee, the minority will have one
means which it does not possess of
postponng, and thus of defeating, meas
ureS. This is afforded by making priv
ileged motion for the House to take a recess,
which will be in order at any time except when
motion TO fix day 10 which the House will adj
journ, or motion to adjourn, is pending. The new
privileged motion rule is due TO Mr.. Stephens, and
is pretty sure to be adopted.
The Committee on Commerce will strenuously re-
sist the adoption Of the new rule, that the
River and Harbor bill shall be referred to
the Appropriations Committee for revision. Judge
Reagan, chairman Of the former commit
tee, says that in order to prepare this
bill integently the committee is Obliged
carefully. to study. several largo volumes of
engineers reports, and then to consider anal'cide
what work shall be prosecuted and the amount
which can be wisely expended on each. Now"
said Mr. Reagan, If after we have done all tbs
work il is to be revised and changed by commit
tee whose members have not studied the question
at all, our work might as well have been left un-
done" Mr.. Reagan declared that If the new rule
is adopted he will not care TO devote any special
study to the River and Harbor bill hereafter. The
members of the Committee on Rules however, be-
llevc that all the appropriation bills should be
passed upon by one committee. as al except the
River and Harbor bill now are. Mr.. Stephens holds
the opinion that the Appropriations Committee and
the Committee on Ways and Means should act con-
Jointly and In Joint session canvass all approprla-
tion bills; but this plan Is not among the
recommendations of the Committee OH Rules.