Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-27
The Morgan Joint Rule end Ah-
sAntAAism.

The Morgan joint Rule end Ah-
senteeism.
BIr. Bicknell, of Indiana, mas an
nouuced that he will call up the joint
rule for counting the electoral vote for
President and Vice President of the
United States this week. Debate on the
measure IS, il is understood, concluded.
The demand for the previous question is
now pending, and all that is needed Is
enough votes to second the demand and
pass the resolution. This can be done if
Democratic absentees are in their seats
in sufficient numbers to secure
a quorum. Mr. Bickncll thinks
that this will be the case this week if at
all this sessions, and, if so, the rule will
be adopted without much difficulty,
although the Republicans have already
announced their intention to use every
means Of fllibustering which they can
command to prevent such consumma
ton. II the Democrats fail in accomplish
ing their purposes. the Republicans will
probably bring forward simple resolu-
ton of procedure based on the theory
that the Vice President alone has the
power to count the vote.
1t IS to be hoped that the Democratic
majority will be present in their seals to
act upon this matter for various reasons.
1t is, in the first place, their duty to be
so present. They were elected to repre-
sent their constituents in the National
Legislature, and they draw very coed
salaries for that purpose. Yet, to the
discredit of the offenders be it said, alb
senteeism has been so common during
the present session, that though the
House is nOminallY a Democratic body,
it is virtually Republican, and the latter
party, il seems, while they may not be
able to pass any bills, can defeat any
measures they desire. Neither because
Democratic members of the present Con
gress have not been reelected, nor be-
cause the Lower House of the next Con-
gress is Republican. is there any iustif-
cation in the wholesale absences from
their seats, which have characterized the
majority ever since Congress met in De
cember. We are glad to record the fact,
however, that the member from Geor-
gia have been conspicuouslY free from
the charge OF absenteeism, but have al
ways been prompt to appear in their
seatS to guard the interests of their con-
stituent5.
In the next place, it is desirable that
this measure shall be passed-especially
il il can be done without interfering
with more important business-because
Of the precedent which its failure would
establish. If, through negligence of the
Democratic majority, the Republicans
should be able virtually to maintain
their position that the Vice President
alone has the power under the Constitu-
ton to count and declare the electoral
vote, the result would be fraught with
great danger to the republic in the future.
1t would not only be really establishing,
with the tacit acquiescenceo of the DemOc-
rscy, principle Of Capitalization which
is most Objectionable, but it would place
a power in the hands Of one man greater
than was ever contemplated by the fran.
ers Of the Constitution, anda power, too,
which would open wide the door to
fraud, and, in the hands Of bitter, reck.
less partisan. might seriously erdanger
the rights of the people. and make repe
ttions OF the Hayes fraud possible if not
probable.
tits greatly to be hoped, therefore. that
the Democratic majority in the House
will be present to vindicate the principles
Of their party and do their duty to their
constituents. The passage Of the Nor.
gan joint rule will have no practical ef
feet, it is true, since Garfield will be ouI
next President whether it be adopted OF
not. If adopted, however, it will be
another Democratic protest aginst cen
tralization, and another Democratic stand
in support of the Constitution and the
rights Of the people, which must enure
to the credit of the party in future as
decidedly as the failure at least to make
q strenuous effort to pass it will work tc
its discredit.
Since writing the above We learn from
our dispatches that this measure was
called up in the House yesterday, and
the Republicans were enabled, through
Democratic absenteeism, to defeat vote
by fllibustering. 1t seems that all that was
necessary for the Republicans to do was
to abstain from voting, and so leave the
House without quorum. After fritter
ing away three or four hours in this way,
the House, evidently in despair of accom-
plishing anything, adjourned.