New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-30
THE DEBATE on THE POINT OF ORDER.
THE LEADERS on BOTH siDEs SPEAKING WITH GREAT
WARMTH-THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION
FULLY REALIZED.

| THE DEBATE On IttE POINT OF ORDER
| THE LEADERS on BOTH SIDES SPEAKING WITH GREAT
WARMTH-THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION
FULLY REALIZED
WASHINGTON, May 29.-After the defeat of
several datory motions in the IIo,sc this morning, Mr.
Randall moved that when the House adjourn it De to
meet on Thursday Sir. Reed Of Maine. at once made
point Of order that the proposition 10 change the
rules Of the House. diatory motions cannot be enter
taincd by the Chair
Mr.. Randall-In answer to that, deny that the gen
tleman or the Chair has right TO put cOnstrc-
tion my motion.
Mr.. Reed am prepared 20 state the grounds OF my
point Of order THIS matter OF Importance and per
haps is desirable that the CHAIR tx limit 10 tie dis
cussUn on the point Of order.
Mr. Randall stated mat there disposition 10 pro
long the debate but declined to make any arrange
nen to its limitation, pTecTng TO leave the matter
in the discretion ot the speaker.
The Speaker stated that the Caair would be in
cincd limit debate to less than hour each side
NJ Reed then proceeded with his argument The Con
stituton conferred upon the Houfe Of Representatives.
hc said, certain pOwers-pOwcrs which it could exercise
without the let hndrance of any other body powers
which could not surrender if II would powers which
it was obliged to retain powers which il could
trade away. Those powers were ever present with IT,
and it bOund to aco in obedience to and III further
ance of those powers The first Of those powers
found ia section Of the Constitution, which
gave TO cJch House the fght 10 Ju1ge OF tnc
election returns and qualifications OF its members
Under that provision the House had been endeavOring
for period Of eight ten days to Judge Of the right of
one its members to his seat Under the forms of tho
rules OF the that endeavOr had been opposed and
and the duty of the House had not been performed
While he personally entertained the idea that under That
provision the Constitution such motions had been
made during the past week might have been oveFIucd
nv the Sneaker nevertheless lie had believed the wiser
vav 10 reach and remove the distractions
the rules and amend tie rules under cover Of which these
transactions the last ten days had taken place II the
rules were not suitable in character and
condition to enable the House to dis
charge it's constitutional duty it the first
duty TO change the rules That the matter
bcfore the Housea proposition change certain
under which the minority had acted and under which
they had claimed right to obsruct the proceedings Of
the House. The majority met in the execution of
that duty by the same of the same rules which il
was endeavOrng TO amend In other words, the very
rules which, under the Constitution the House had the
riVht TO change men were using to perpetuatc That
position could possibly be maintained He did not
wish 10 spend time the discussion Of whether the
tions submitted this morning were dilatOry motions
Every man with brains knew that their purpose de-
lay. lie maintained the proposition that wherever
there was duty imposed upon Congress to accomplish
certain work il the duty Of the speaker TO carry
out the law OF the Constitution, and he fortified in
that position in regard TO the law by very distin
ouisbed authority. acting distinguished scene and
occupying position in which, If he were wise, he would
he willing and glad 10 pass into history.
In the year 1871 Congress- being unable to determine
certain questions with regard to the election OF Pres-
dent PASSED law creating the Electoral Commission.
Time was essential in the transaction OF that great bust
ness. The attempt that was made to fillbustcr lad
been met by Speaker Randall with promptness which
had for him of the country In the first
place, the gentleman from Illinois (sprnger) with that
combination Of physical activity and intellectual
acuteness fer which he 80 distinguished, had
discovered that that the journal had not been
read, and had raised the POINT of order that the House
could not proceed to business until the journal had been
rea9r The journal lad not been made out, and the
Speaker had oyerrucd the point Of order, and had
declined TO entertain an appeal from his decision. BY
that law two hours debate had allowed, and the
gentleman from Illinois had again made the suggestion
that tho debate could not be continued without the pa
Continued on Second paxe,