New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-09
DEMOCRATS OBSTRUCTING BUSINESS.
INV rprpcpIpu To THE TRIBuNHI

WASHINGTON March s.-Mr. Reed. from the
Uouse Committee ON Rules to-day submitted some
notifications of the amendments TO the rules pro-
posed by the committee last week. The committee
proposes that motions to designate bill to be con-
sdered by the Committee of the Whole shall be re-
ouired TO have the sanction of the committee when
reported the bill to the Housethe design being to
avoid the clamOring by individual members were
The matter of designation left to them. An addi-
tional recommendation is that two days OF each
month shall be devoted to the consideration of
District of Columbia business. Doubtless the mod
iication recommended is wise, and it will remove
what some Republican members have thought
grave objection to the proposed change
There is still no reason to believe, however, that
Il will weaken the Democratic opposition, which
appears to be as strong and determined as ever
Messrs Randall and Blackburn. the Democratic
members of the Committee OH Rules, oppose every
change of the rules designed to facilitate the pubc
bnsiness and by caucus resolution their course has
been indorsed by their party followers. This oppo-
stion is only part of the Democratic policy TO OD-
struct the public business and deprive the Republi-
can majority, which is responsible for the conduct
of legislation, of the opportunity TO do anything.
In pursuance of this policy the Democratic leaders
have set up the cry that the proposed
changes Of the rules are designed to de-
priye the minority of It's rights and to
promote the schemes Of obbers. The first accusa-
ton is absurdy false and the latter is ridiculous in
view of the fact that neither party In the House can
pass any measure to which the other offers sturdy
opposition Experience has not shown the Demo
cratic party to be more free than the Republican
party from the faint of jobbery.
The proposed changes go thus far and no further.
They enable majority Of tho House to say what
particular business 1t will consider from day to
Z than
now possesses to say what the action any partic-
ular bill shall be.
Retter reasons why the rules should be so amended
ms 70 give majority of the House the power to say
what business il will consider cannot be gwen than
are found in the proceedings OF the House the Iat
two days There is no doubt that majority OF that
body earnestly desires that the Tariff Commission
bill shall be considered and disposedof In some way
1t was Yesterday decided that the bill does not be-
long to the category of measures which are entitled
to be considered at any time by a ma
jority vote. Under the present rules, there
fore. the only way to reach 1t will be for
the House to 60 into Committee of the Whole and
then Law aside or otherwise dispose OF, by one,
all the fifty-two bills which precede it on the cal
endar This may take one whole day, or it may oc-
cupv week or a month If the proposed amend
nents should be adopted. however it would be III
the power of a majority of the House to reach this
bill In half an hour Many friends of the bill begin
seriously to doubt whetherit will receive consid-
Grafton at all, unless the rules shall be changed
The proceedings of the House to-day af-
forded another Illustration of the bad
ness of the present rules Mr., Haskell moved
to proceed 10 the business on the Speakers table,
and explained that his object to reach the SEN
ate bill to provide for the efficient execution
of the laws against polygamy. Under the lead of
MIR Springer who never lacks courage, the Demo-
Gratis resisted Mr. HaskelPs motion, and on yea
and nay vote nearly all Of them recorded themselves
In the negative. The only Democrats who voted
with the Republicans were BeltzhOOyer, Cas-
sidy Colerick, Deuster Morse Stockslager
and Vance. When the order of business was decided
II was found that thirty other bills preceded
the ono which the House by vote OF III TO SO had
expressed desire to consider. The consequence
was that the whole day spent by the time the
i-Polygamy bill had been reached. The Demo-
Gratis without appearing TO oppose the Anti-Polyg-
amy bill directly, able TO postpone action
upon it.
A point OF order made by Mr.. Converse, a Demo-
crat that the bill must receive its first cOnsidera
ton in Committee of the Whole Indicates that
further parliamentary obstacles to be thrown in
its way ty the Democrats. If Mr. COAverse's point
OF order shall be sustained, the effect will be TO
throw the bill to the foot of the calendar in Com
mittee of the Whole, where more than 100 other
bills will precede It. Once there 1t will not
probably be reached again at this session. unless
fbe rules shall be changed. Mr. Reed will endeavOr
TO secure consideration of the proposed amendments
tomorrow or Friday.