National Republican., 1885-12-10
Amending tho House Rnles.

In the lull preceding the commencement
Of active work in Congress the question OF
amending the House rules is occupying
large space In public thought and in news
paper discussion. But the Importance Of
the subject is not exaggerated, II indeed IL
has yet reached the point Of due appreca-
tion and fitting prominence; for the capacity
Of the House to perform the work awaiting
its action depends on whether II will make
sundry changes In it's rules or decides to 90
on in the old, bad way, like feitered horse
trying to make fast time on race course.
There are vast interests affecting every
part Of the country and intimately asso-
ciated with its Industrial and commercial
prosperity which require intelligent legisa-
tlon. There are measures of great impor-
tance that have been long deferred for lack
Of time to give them thoughtful considera-
tion. Work enough awaits the peoples
lawmakers to keep them steadily employed
for nine months without touching upon any
partisan question. Yet scarcely any of
these measures can be considered and most
Of this vast amount of urgent business
must go over to an indefinite future, and to
the great detriment of the general welfare,
n the House does not cut some off the
shackles which have, for number of sos
sohs, made it's labors seem like wretched
burlesque on legislation.
Congress is q costly necessity. Every
hour Of session costs what would be n
small fortune to the average workingman.
To have the House hampered so that weeks
he ha, iu
| just such economy as farmer would prac-
tice II he sent his field hands to their work
with their feet in irons and blocks of wood
tied TO their backs.
To simplify methods of procedure, to do
away with needless Interruptions. to bring
the business OF the House somewhere within
hailing distance of business principles, TO
mitigate evils that cannot be entirely eiadi-
cated-these are all not only possible but
practicable and necessary reforms.
AS rule, the proceedings Of every legis-
latlvc body should be under the control of q
majority Of the members whether the divl-
sion be upon partisan or other grounds.
| Due care should be taken to give the mi
nority reasonable protection, and to prevent
an accidental or temporary majority from
usurping the duties and responsibilities Of
the regular or normal majority. Beyond
these reservations there should be no limit
to the ascendency of the majority. To
have a deliberative body so tied up by It's
own hands that It spends half its time In
discussing and voting on questions Of pre-
cedence, and the other half in listening to
stump speeches smuggled in under false
pretenses, is a monstrous absurdity that
ought not to be tolerated under our govern
ment.
That the committee appointed yesterday
to revise the rules Of the House will recon.
mend numerous desirable and necessary
changes we have no doubt. That they will
meet the public demand by reporting in
favor Of distribution of tho appropriation
bills, Mr. Randall alone dissenting, is gen
orally expected. But the fight is to CONT
On when the committee makes it's report
Sir. Randall is strong man on the floor o.
Democratic House-as has often beer
dCmonstratcd-and he will not let himscl
be shorn Of power to control Legislation
without making " the greatest effort Of hi
life."