National Republican., 1883-04-20
Concerning Legislative Dcadloois,

Concerning Legislative Dcadlocls.
Occasionally, within the past twenty-five
years, feeble, furtive, and sncaSing kind of
revolution has developed itself in state legis-
latures. Sometimes Il has taken the form Of
the refusal Of members to attend in numbers
sufficient to form quorum, and at Others IL
has impelled one of the houses to refuse to
meetthe other in joint convention for some
necessary purpose, such as the election
of United States senator. In Oregon,
in 1860, state senators ran away and
hid to prevent the election Of sens.
tor. In Indiana majority of the
senators once refused to attend tho joint con-
vention which had been ordered, and sat
transacting business in their own chamber
while United States senators were being
chosen In California the state was in
ferment for three years over tho election
of successor to Gwin. whose term expired
in 1855. The statute provided for the cleo
tion at the session Of 1856, but a strong at
tempt was made to forestall this and elect in
1854. This failed, and the beaten men in
1855 controlled twelve of the senators of the
majority party, and by voting them with the
majority during the entire session against a
joint convention defeated an election. So the
state had but one senator in Dec 1855. The
Americans had the next legislature and
tnI g.
But three senators of the majority voted all
winter with the democrats against going into
joint convention, and again defeated an
election. And so In 1856 California again had
but ono senator. In 1857 the other senator's
term expired, and, there being two seats to
tll, each faction took one as a compro-
mise. In view. Of these performances,
revolutionary in their character because
tending if extending far enough to abolish
the senate, congress passed law prescrib'
ing the manner of choosing senator's and pro-
vided for a joint convention of tho state
legislature on certain day for that purpose.
Even this would fail, perhaps, if in fact a
for senators must be chosen by the legisla-
ture," which would seem to include quorum
of each house.
But while the obstruction Of the election Of
United States senators is partially provided
against, there has not yet been remedy pro-
vided for the revolutionary proceeding Of tho
breaking of quorum by the absence of a
majority. Experience has shown that the
power Of the minority to "compel the at
tendance of absent members" is no power at
all They may summon them as Glendower
could summonl spirits from the Vastly deep,
but, like those dsobedients Subjects, they will
not come when so called unless they please.
Here is case in point. The house of repre-
sentatives of the state of Illinois is sitting
without quorum because the democrats and
one republican member, who appears to have
been captured" by them, will not attend.
A dispatch from the capital of the state,
dated yesterday, makes the following, dis
graceful statement:
The deadlock In the Illinois house Of repre-
sentatives over the Bradwell- McNally contest Is
developing a peculiar condition of affairs. The
republicans can only muster a quorum by the
vote OF every party man. Rook, the recalcltrsnt
| member. who was present In the lobby yesterday
but declined 10 enter the house, and VINO len the
| state building in company with a familiar figure
in Chicago democratic politics, is still an uncer-
tain quantity. The republicans are powerless
without Rook, whose course Is ascribed TO various
motives. 1t is currently known this morning that
an attempt was apparently made last night by
certain democratic members and leaders to In
duce Rook to leave the city, and he was taken to
the Wabash depot, some distance from the busi-
ness portion Of the city. Two republican mem
bers of the house followed in n hack, and afteI
| some words prevented Rocks leaving. The lat
ter is stated TO have been in such mental condi-
ton as not to be free agent. Rook was taker
back to the city and followed about all night by
watchers from both political parties through va
rious disreputable places. and early this morning
both contestants were claiming Rocks vote.
A contested election case is pending, and
the result is to determine the complexion o.
the house. So these queer men, who have
not majority, are playing at hide and seek
and preventing decision by the means they
use to control single vote,
There ought to be remedy for this, Mem
bers of legislature should not be allowed t.
break it up or to prevent quOrums or join
conWcntions. These small revolutionistl
could best be made to retire from business
by provisions in the state constitutions fol
the forfeiture of the seats of those who by
absence or non.voting prevent action for
certain length of time. In no other way car
the members chosen to represent the people
be compelled to represent them than by 9
constitutional provision which would reduce
them to private life after, say, three days alb
sence from roll call or a refusal to vote
Then special elections could be held and re.
peated until representation should represent
The subject seems worthy of discussion.
The Mexican Border.