The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-18
WASHINGTON.
AMENDMENT TO THE RULES

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-The discussion
in the House to- day over Robesons amend |
ment to the rules to increase a number OF
most of the important committees, has had
the effect to considerably increasing the
feeling that has existed regarding the COM
position of the committees. The question
involves several matters of interest. Sever |
al elements are endeavoring to attain their
respective objects through this proposition
one element is bent upon rebuking and
embarrassing the Speaker; the other faVors
the adoption of the amendment with the
idea that it will strengthen the Speaker by
enabling him to provide for members who
regard themselves slighted. Some
Democrats are willing to use the question
| to divide and distract the Republicans,
and some members are seeking to tack on
an amendment to this amendment to au-
thorize the Mississippi Improvement Com
mlttee to frame and report appropriation
bills for this purpose. Fifty-nIne new
| committee places contemplated IN Robe
sons amendment have already been prom
| ised. The Democrats as body oppose
| the amendment, but they voted against
| laying it on the table to-day because
| they want to get a vote on Orths substI-
tute to have it tabled. The amendment
would have killed the whole subject, and
this the Democrats do not
want An effort is being
made among the Republicans to dispose OF
| the question by laying Robeson's amend
ment on the table, and this will be tried
again. Some of the wisest among them
see that the Democrats intend to use the
que stion to political advantage, and they
are anxious to get ii out OF the way
/ ATTORNEY GENERAL BREWSTER.
/ Attorney General Brewster has decided
to revive the former custom whereby the
Attorney General appeared in all cases OF
any consequences in the United States Su-
perior Court, thus giving the Justices an
opportunity to consult with the first law
officer of the Government Brewster will
continue his private law practice.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Armfield offered resolution in the
nature of declaration against the state
, ment Of frauds in the Sixth district ol
, North Carolina, that made collection OF
revenues expensive.
Mr.. Bedford moved to amend the rule tt
r prevent a member who has the floor from
allowing others to occupy his time. Re
] ferred.
: Mr.. DINGHY offered a resolution instruct
7 ing the Committee on Commerce to enquire
what change of law can be made to affor(
foreign carrying trade, and what measure
can be adopted to promote ship buildin:
n and other commercial interests. Referred
T Mr.. Belmont offered a resolution re
n ouesting the President to send to tn
y House the correspondence between tn
n United States and it's diplomatists sine
n April, 1879 relating to the efforts of thi
n government to effect peace between Chill
Y Peru and Bolivia. Referred.
" IL nffa rncalYIfIOn
r. Indian agents remain in full force an
p effect until their successors are appoinIeO
N Referred.
The call of committees was continued.
,+l Mr. Robinson called up the report c
the Committee on Rules, increasing th
membership of the various committees {
E the House. He stated the thirteen commit
tees whose membership it was proposed
increase, had before them now nearly nlnet
DER cent of all the business OF the Hous'
y Nv. Robesen, at the conclusion, demande
= the previous question. a storm OF vi
nopI followed. Mr. Robson declared h
y intention was to have the previous questio
g. ordered. ard then give the fullest posslb
le dabata and re further stated he wishe
1t thereby TO cut off amendments Mr.. Ro
'h eson, amid opposition, insisted on his d
+ mand for the previous question, but Nj
O. Rohinson of New York, before the que
tion could be submitted, moved to lay Il
III subject ON the table. Lost-yeas q
nays, II.
Mr.. Robinson then stated that he Woui
he ON behalf of the Committee on Rules, rece'
% y from his position and withdrew the demal
~ " for the previous question
= Mr.. Page offered an amedment that q
h- COMMITTEES on the Improvement OF u
:, mississippi River shall not have authorl
~ ~ to report appropriations on that subject
i he Mr.. Robinson said the1e was no 1nte
.e .t tion to give the committee that power
Mr.. Kelley offered an amendment
strike out the clause increasing the mel
ID bership of the Ways and Means Comm
90 tee.
zee Mr.. Hutchins opposed the report OF
Committee on Rules. He spoke IN ve
en- of sarcasm, and pointed out what he call
me incengruities existing in the formation
the committees.
Ter Mr. Kasson also opposed the report
OF the Committee ON Rules. SO far as
zen Inew this motion did not come from
ION Gentlemen who felt-themselves mlsplae
or not placed properly. That there
me dissatisfaction was undoubtedly true
thonoh he had heard but little compial
are The house had Speaker who had p
to formed his duties as he thought WI
The House proposed to stand Dy
.o5 ~ Speaker and do its duty, but ne was