The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-18

The reference to the proceedings Of the
United States House Of Representatives is
not pertinent at all, that body not having
our House Rule 90. Moreover. the Virginia
Constitution provides that each House OF
tie General Assembly shall "settle its own
rules Of proceeding" and may punish menu
beTs "for diS0rderiy 5eh0rior, and, with
the concurrence Of two thirds, eXpel.'
surely here is constitutional authority
enough for Rule 90 and it, construction and
enforcement by Speaker Fowler according
n It's only possible intent and purpose. SO
far from defeating the presence Of a quorum
being a constitutional or other right, the
Constitution and the rules Of the House ut
terly deny this right; and the Constitution
and rules empower even tef, members to en-
force the presence OF a gUOTum-w which, Of
course, includes the power to ascertain and
record that presence. Wig.
Rule 60 gives to the Speaker no power to
compel member to vote for candidates.
II does not purport TO do more than en-
power the House to count the votes OF
members upon bills, resolutions, and other
questions, which have distinctly negative
and affirmative sides. Such a rule must,
like criminal laws, be strictly construed.
The Federal Constitution gives to each
house of Congress the very powers cata-
togued by the Wig We have known
these houses to cXpel members, to fine
shem, and TO reprimand them. Each house
''may compel the attendance OF absent
members in such manner and under such
penalties as each house may provide"
"may punish its members for dis0rderiy
hehdvior," and expel them. So that 1t Is
= in vain that the Wing claims for the yir-
ginia House Of Delegates any power not
possessed by the Federal House OF Repre-
sentatiyes. The latter has the power to
compel the attendance Of = quorum. but
not to compel a member TO vote, as we
showed yesterday; and yet we re-
peat, II has every power possessed by
the Virginia House OF Delegates. The
power spoken OF by the Wig "to ascer-
tain and record" the presence Of quorum
Is always exercised when necessary by the
Federal House OF Representatives, but that
body never exercises, nor attempts 10 ex-
srcise. nor claims the right TO exercise, tho
power to compel member TO vote. See
how Speaker KEEPER had TO apologize on
Thursday and explain away his remark Of
fhc day before. What would that body do
with Speaker KEIPER il he should attempt
10 compel it, members to votcs
The Wig italicizes the words "diSor-
dtriy bekarior" as Ii these words gave to
the Virginia House OF Delegates some power
not possessed by the Federal House Of Re-
representatives.. But these words were CO.
pied from the Federal Constitution by the
trainers OF our State Constitution; and as
they have never been held to cover the
conduct Of members Of Congress in refus-
Ing to vote, they cannot be held TO cover
the conduct OF members OF the Virginia
Legislature who refuse 10 vote.
No. There Is no defence TO be made Of
Mr.. Speaker FowLEB's ruling. No precc-
dent can be found for II In either house Of
Congress, and no justification in the facts
of the ease. We trust that the House OF
Delegates will teach bin such lesson as
The House Of Representatives taught It's
Speaker last Tbursdry.