Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-10
HOUSE.

After the reading and approval of the jour.
nal, the Speaker asked and received permis-
sion of the House to appoint committees on
rules, account and enrolled bills.
Mr.. Morrison of Illinois, offered resolu-
ton for reference to the committee on rules.
when appointed, continuing in force the rules
of the 4Sth Congress with certain modifca-
ton. Among them being for the distribution
Of the work of the appropriation committee,
among other standing committees of the
House.
This committee is still left with jurisdic-
ton over the pensions. Notifications, District
of Columbia, legislative and sundry civil
bills.
The well known rule 81 is proposed to be
amended by striking out the clause which
provides that no such provision in any such
bill general appropriately or amendment
thereto, changing the existing law shall be in
order except as being germane to the sub
ject matter Of the bill, shall retrench the ex-
penditures by a reduction of the number and
salary of the offices of the United States, by a
reduction of the compensation of any person
paid out of the treasury of the United States,
or bv the reduction of the amounts of money
covered by the bill.
The reference of the resolution was Or
dered.
Mr.. Springer Of Illinois presented for i'm
mediate action a code of rules prepared by
him.
Mr.. Hiscock of New York made point of
order that until the code of rules were adopt
ed, the House was governed by the rules of
the preceding Congress, and that under those
rules the amendment proposed by Mr..
Springer must be referred to the committee
on rules.
Mr.. Reed of Maine protested against the
view that any dead hand could be laid on the
present House and direct the method of its
proceedings. But he did not think this con-
clusion would permit the House to choose be-
cause it would still be governed by parlia-
mentary law.
Mr.. Hiscock waived his point to enable
Mr.. Springer to take the floor for a brief ex-
PLANTATION sought to be obtained in his revis-
ion of the rules.
The first of these objects, according to Mr..
Springer, was a partial distribution of the
labors of the committee on appropriations,
and he argued in support of the view that
such a distribution would result in more
thorough consideration of and more speedy
action upon the great monied bills which
we're brought before Congress. He refuted
the assertion that this distribution would re-
suit in extravaganza in public expenditures,
and regarded as a reflection upon the repre-
sentatives of the people the idea that there wa:
favored few, an honored few in theil
midst who could alone be trusted
He also proposed the abolition of a number
useless committees and pointed out the ad
| vantage which would result from this con-
centration of the committee membership by
enabling the committees to secure quorum
| for the transaction of business, which had
heretofore been difficult, owing to the fact
that every representative was member OF
two or more committees. Another Object
sought to be obtained by his revised code
was to facilitate the transaction of business
BY permitting the passage of bills during the
morning hour. Another proposition was
that of prohibiting the Incorporation of gen.
eral legislation on appropriation bills. After
a detailed explanation of the rules formulated
BY him, Springer expressed the hope tina,
they would be adopted and the House allowed
to proceed as legislative body and perform
the high functions committed to it by the
people instead of committing them, As here
tofore, to the control of one of its commit
tees.
Then, on motion of Mr.. Springer, the pro.
posed rules were referred to the COMMITTEES
on rules, a. was also the amendment Of.
fered by Mr.. Reed regulating the method Of
calling up bills for action and facilitating
that action.
By Mr. Beach of New York-Providine
that all eulogies Of deceased members shall
be delivered Sunday and for the appointment
Of committee on constitutional amendment.