The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-17
THE HOUSE.
Remarks of Messrs Hiscock and Holman on
the Proposed Changes of Rules.

Remarks of Messrs HiscOck and Holman on
the Proposed Changes of Rules.
WASHINGTON Dec. 16.-Mr Browne, of In
diana, offered a resolution changing the rules so
as to provide that leave to print in the Record
shall be allowed only when question is under
consideration Referred.
On motion of Mr. Norwood, of Georgia, Sen
ate bill was passed removing the political disa.
bilities of Alexander R. Lawton, of Georgia.
The discussion of the proposed revision of the
rules was then resumed, and Mr.. Herbert, of
Alabama, took the floor with an argument in
favor of the general feature of the revision, but
in opposition to the plan Of distributing the
work of the appropriations committee. That
committee should remain in charge of the money
bills, Sut all power should be taken away from
it to incorporate the matters in their general
legislation. He cited instances to show the evils
which had resulted from this method of legisla-
tor, declaring it had prevented the enactment of
benefcent laws, and had created enemies to the
committee on appropriations If this attack on
the committee should prove successful, the COM
mittee would have to blame the Holman amend
ment for it,
Mr.. Hiscock, member Of the committee on
rules, presented the reasons which had impelled
him to agree to the report of the majority The
gentlemen who opposed the distribution feature
did so on the theory that the majority of the
House could not be trusted with chance to get
at the public Treasury. He maintained that it
was not possible f. the Speaker-honest as all
know him to be-to select from the gentlemen
who had elevated him to the high position he
now occupied. committees which could keep
within the limits of proper appropria lions for
the carrying on of the government The, sought
to disguise this argument by declaring that the
committees when organized would attempt to
aggrandize their power, and in illustration of
this the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Randall had prepared a table showing the large
increase of appropriations carried by the river
and harbor bill since that measure had been
taken away from the appropriations committee.
This was hardly ingenious, for the bill had
practically never been under the jurisdiction of
the appropriations committee as it was always
prepared by the commerce committee. But the
true reason why the river and harbor bill had
swollen in amount was that the committee on
rivers and harbors had been given jurisdiction
over the subject of Mississippi river improve
ment He (Mr. Hiscock was in favor of as
many members of the House as possible sharing
in its responsibilities, sharing in its abors, shar
ing in its honors, and sharing in its leadership.
He was opposed to building up a system or rules
that would crown any man or set of men as
argue that if the appropriation bills were dis
tributed they could all be reported within thirty
days of the organization of the committees.
Mr.. Randall inquired whether the experience
oL tne gentleman from new L rR as chairman
of the committee of appropriations in the Forty
seventh Congress, had not taught him that it
was impossible to report the appropriation bills
within thirty days from the time the committee
was formed. Frequently the estimates were not
in before the expiration of thirty days.
Mr. Hiscock admitted that this was true but
asserted that any of the bills could be reported
within one week from receipt of the estimates.
Mr. Randall put against your remark your
record as chairman of that committee.
Mr.. Hiscock-I am entirely willing that my
record as chairman of that committee shall be
paraded before the House. Certainly, so far as
the presentment of bills is concerned, the record
of that committee will compare favorably with
that of any other committee before or since.
Mr. Randall think not
Mr.. Hiscock-The gentleman had better con-
tent himself with remaining in the fields Of
speculation and thought upon that subject.
Mr.. Randall go to the Record
MIR. Hiscock-I grant did not bring in bills