The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-02-19
SPEECH OF HON. FRANK HURD.n

A warm discuseion has been going on in the
House al Washington over revision Of the rules.
Rule q has been the hone Of contention. As re-
ported from the committee 1t does not prohibit
legislation matters being tackled on 10 appropria.
tiOn bills as has ever been the practice. The Re-
publicans have been trying to amend the rule 30
as 10 deprive the majority in Congress from
changing legislation through appropriation bills,
The ringing telling speech thus lar on the ques
ton was made by Hon. Frank Hurd on Tuesday.
We give 1t as reported BY telegraph
HuRD ON APPROPRIATION LEeIsLAT1oN.
Mr.. Hurd made speech in opposition to tax
ing away from the House the power Of legislGt-
ing upon appropriation bills That power might
be taken away If both Houses could originate the
bills for revising the revenue. History incon-
testibly demonstrated that the provision Of the
Constitution, which lodged In the House of Rep
yesentatives the power to originate revenue bills,
had been inserted in order to give to the Repre-
sentstives Of the people control of the purse,
and thereby compel the redress Of grievances Of
which the House might complain, and secure the
adoption of bealthful measures Of legislation.
The House Of Representatives was authorized
to say to the President, III grievances are not re
dressed, there shall be no appropriation of money
made" That would be impossible If such prop.
osition as that contained in the am endment of.
cred by the gentleman from Georgia, (speer,)
were agreed TO. The result would be that the
President would approve the appropriation bills
and veto the bills changing the law.
The propositions from the gentlemen from Geor
gia and Ohio (Speer and Wsrren,) would be the
surrender Of the power Of the House to redress
grievances through appropriation bills. That
might be done but only by a constitutional
amendment, not by a mere change Of the rules of
the House. Even II II could be done In that way
1t would be unmanly at any time and under any
exlGenoy for the House 70 surrender that power.
Standing as 1t did, the House should retain chat
power 10 selfrespect. To surrender It would be
an admission Of OfirrespoDsibility confession that
II was fearful TO legiBlate. The Democratic party
had entered into the contest at the extra seBhOn.
The power which 1t had assalled had been en-.
trenched behind the executive authority. It
knew It could not win in one day, but 1t had
found this right TO refuEe appropriations OF use.
Through It the Democratic party had obtained
impartial jnries and an army shorn Of most Of ito
dangerous power, and now, right In the midst Of
the contest, II was proposed TO give up the power
which had obtained this partial victory An as
founding proposition. A surrender Of colOrs IN
the face Of the foe; an abandonment of vantage
gronud in the heat of the Aght were ofenses
scarcely e1Cusable in military warfare! They
were inezousable here in the midst OF the contest
for the liberties Of the people. Applause on the
Democratic Side,I
BE inslbted that the Democratic msjorltylof the
House should stand upon the Constitution, exer
else every right which the Constitution had given
it for the vipdication Of the peoples rights, and
abale not jot or title OF It's power until the
last .vesHEe Of the military power should have
disappeared from the peaceful States Of the Union
LOUD applause on the Democratic sldel