Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-10
BUSINESS N TEE ASSEMBLY.

The action OF the Republican caucus on
Friday night. in determining to put stop
to the fragrant waste of time which has
impeded business in the Assembly hitherto,
was wise and necessary. Without some
such organized action it has been demon
strated that the work of the session could
not be accomplished within one hundred
days, and it is very doubtful whether any
proceeding short of the adoption Of the
five. minute rule would have answered the
purpose. The Democratic members have
done well in expressing their determination
to cooperate with the Republicans in Sc
curing the prompt transaction OF vital
business. The Workingmen and New
Constitution members held meeting on
Saturday, at which they expressed indig-
nation at the imputation OF obstructionist
purpose to them by some members Of the
Republican caucus; but notwithstanding
this indignation they appear to have re-
solved on the continuance of course
which is certainly calculated to obstruct
business, and to effect nothing else 1t is
possible that these members have been
E;erongly accused in this connection, and
that in fact they have not been acting
upon settled policy Of any kind. But it
is none the less obvious that they have
contributed largely to the delay and loss of
time which have occurred in the Assem-
bly,, and that nearly all the unconstitu-
tional and impract;cable bills have pro-
ceeded from them, while they have been
the most addicted to frivolous Interrupt
tions and supplementary behavior. In
regard to the violation of parliamentary
deeorum, however, it is necessary to say a
word specially. N9flegislative body that
has ever sat in California has been so
marked by contempt for and defiance of
parliamentary usages as the present As
sembly There have been times when
the language and behavior of many mem
bers has been far more consonant with the
habits and surroundings of a pothouse
than with those which should govern the
proceedings of deiberative body Lam
guage has been used which can only be
characterized as blackguardly Parlia-
mentary rules have been ignored with as
founding etfrontery. The Speaker has
- L.
entirely, and the debates have degenerated
into indecent and most discreditable alter
cations. Now, whoever is guilty of these
fragrant breaches of decorum, it is clear
that the majority are responsible for the
abuse. They possess the power to enforce
order, and to employ the most severe
measures to that end They must here
after protect the dignity of the Assembly,
and if they are unable by ordinary
methods to secure the necessary order and
good behavior, they ought not to hesitate
at using extraordinary methods. This is
question of public Government 1t is not
one of personal iealousies or of rivalries
between members or factions, but it is one
of the general welfare. Members of the
Legislature are not their own masters
they are the servants OF the people; and
they must be made to understand that
they cannot be allowed to squander the
peoples money, and waste time, instead of
attending to the business they were sent
here to transact. The people, moreover,
will not make any mistakes as to account
ability. The Workingmen will be held
responsible for what they do, and they will
not be able to shoulder their acts On to
ever thin disguise must cease, and the work
Of the session must be done henceforward
with singleness of purpose.