The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-01
Anla-Bodied Legislation.

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The precedent set by the Republicans Of
the House Of Representatives on Tuesday
will not lack "subsequents." There need
never hereafter be any bill left unpassed
which the majority may desire to convert
into law.
Docs the reader comprehend the full I'M
port Of the revolutionary movement oil
Tuesday? We explained the matter par
TALLY yesterday. We will now add few
words OF further explanation. At the last
session Of Congress, Speaker kEIrER ruled
that a motion to. change the rules coming
from the Committee on Rules was priv
legged question Of such nature that he
would not entertain dilatory motions at all
whilst Il was pending. The Democrats
loudly. vigorously, and excitedly protested
against the ruling; but to no effect. The
Repnblican reyolutionists were. then, a
now. and as ever, ready to do any sort Of
act as a means Of perpetuating their power.
II was evident that il this ruling was
correct, the majority in the House OF Rep
resen.atiycs could at any time make any
rule which II might please them to make
And so the Republican majority in the
present House agreed in caucus the Other
day TO avail themselves OF Speaker KEEPERS
> ruling az a means of getting through both
houses OF Congress a tariff bill which could
not otherwise be passed. The reader knows
how IL was done. The proper committee
rule nj all. but merely an order TO proceed
10 pass bin in certain way-a rule
which can operate upon but one bill, and
which will then expire by the limitations
OF It's own terms. In a word, the Repub-
lcans determined to call that "rule y
which is no rule, in order that they might
accomplish certain party purposes. IL
would be lust as correct to call an order
for an order for ten thousand copies OF the
Confessional Record rule as thus TO term
an order for passing tariff bill.
But the mischief Is done, and cannot be
undonc. Future legislators will of course
avail themselves Of similar "rule" when
ever such one shall become necessary to
the accomplishment OF their purposes.
Filibustering will hereafter be ayaila-
bic only so long as the majority
of The House of Representatives may
choose to tolerate it. Legislation by force
has become reality. The rules OF the
House viii hereafter be rules only so long
as any majority may choose to recognize
them as such. For example, LET us suppose
that the majority shall desire to pass to-
morrow any one OF the bills on the Speak
er's table which have already been passed
by the Senate, however Objectionable that
bill may be TO the minority or in itself. Let
it be a bill to spend fifty millions of dollars.
All that the House need do is TO follow the
precedent OF Tuesday. There will be no.
thing but plain sailing. The result will be
reached in Just as short time as on that
day.
Looking at the difficulty experienced by
Mr.. GLADSTONE in getting through the
House OF Commons rule to provide for
ordering the previous question in its mild.
est form, we might safely say that il his
supporters in that House were to resort to
BIZ the Republican caucus and committee,
endorsed by the Republican Speaker, and
passed by the Republican House of Repre-
sentatlves, there would be such a tumuIt in
Old England as hasn't been witnessed there
since the days OF WILKES.