The Evening critic., 1882-04-18
SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
why Congress Doesn't Transact
business More Rapidly - An Alb.


surdisy.
Tho Republican caucus on last Friday night,
30 far as can be ascertalned by applying THE
critic pump now and then 10 leaky MEM
Der OF that conclave Of wiseacres, docs not
seem TO have accomplished much. Recogniz-
ing their responsibility rs a majority, they evi
IDENTIFY felt the necessity OF doing something, as
they caucused themselves into two resolves
one to meet ut IL O'Clock, instead of 10, and hold
night sessions arhen Mey can, the other, that
the present rules OF the House arc adequate
for present emergencies. The trouble with
our Republican friends Is
An Utter Lack of Leadership.
There isn't one among them who possesses
the ability and magnetism to essay that role.
Even little nerve, backed by good sense,
would answer very we'll, In the absence OF tho
other essential elements SO far as meeting
sugar-coating OF their failure to get on with
the public business. What Is needed Is not so
much more hours OF sitting as n sot OF rules
that Will enable them to do something when
they are In session. The present rules are
A Relic OF samrandaIlism
and fully embody the specific sel1shness OF
his nature. There isn't an unreasonable or alb
surd proposition In the entire code OF rules
that Isn't traceable TO Sam Randall. THE
CRITIC did not Intend In remarktng upon the
Republican caucus, TO adimndvert particu-
larry upon the absurdlty Of rules of the House,
but while on the subject might rs we'll men
tion one or two. rule that permits any one
member, of any deliberative body, by inter
posing his single objection, to bafiic tho Will
of the majority, is an absurd one. II ma
1ority of any deliberative body, whether It
be Congress or any other circus, cannot con-
troll tho matter and form OF Its business on
all occasions and at all times, then the
Insignificant minority rules the overwhelming
majority, which seems to be
Supremely Ridiculous.
Another silly rule Is that one which OK
cludes committee clerks from the floor of the
House. 1t appears to THE CRITIC that the
committee clerks are an important adjunct to
legislation. 1t also seems that IL the gentle-
men who occupy those important positions
are worthy OF being intrusted with the valu-
able papers, etc, that appertain TO their
the floor of the House. AS the rule now is,
Members Are Servants of the Conn
mittee Clerks,
instead Of the clerks being their servants. II
committeeman wants anything Of the clerk
of his committee he has now to look him up.
If he wants to compare bill, resolution, re.
port or any other document that tho clerk has
prepared from his rough draft, or IL he wishes
to give any intruction with reference
to 1t, he must go to his commit
tee-room, as the clerk cannot be
hand, II the clerk is not quite clear about his
instructions to do a certain thing, as is often
the case, he must either wait the accidental
coming OF the Member or else go and stand
around the doors for q chance to send in his
card. like a country Hoosier. Member cant
| well leave the floor at all times, or by doing
| so he
Loses the Chance Of Being Recog'
nized
| by the Speaker for some motive or other i'm
portant 10 the interests of his constituents, ol
| he loses the run OF business generally. 1
| seems to THE CRITIC strange that such q rule
| should be permitted to stand much longer
| of promoting and facilitating the public bust
ness.