Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-01
A Quorum.

II Is clBinsd by the Democrats In Wash.
in2ton city that the Republicans have so far
as IS officially known elected only 1863 out OF
the 325 members OF tho next House OF Re-
nresent9tives. The Democrats have elected
1850. Two members from West Virginia and
one from Tennessee remain 10 be heard from.
So that the Republicans cannot secure more
than 166 members il they get all three o. the
non-certifed claimants, and may possibly
have only one majority. We think 1t is
probable that the Republicans will have 1866
members and the Democrats 1G0. The Re-
publicans will thus have only five majority.
we do not know bow the fact was ascor-
tanned, but anyhow II is reported by the
Washington correspondent OF the Alexan-
dris Gazette to be fact that although the
Democrats have a majority Of fourteen In the
existing House OF Representatives, they have
never had present at any time members
enough TO constitute quorum without
counting any of the Republicans. Whether
the statement IN question be true or not, II is
certain that with majority OF only five in
the House the Republicans will almost GER
tainly find it impossible 70 get quorum OF
their own party TO answer at roll-call.
We draw encouraging differences from the
certainty that the Republicans IN the next
House Of Representatives will seldom II ever
be able to get together quorum consisting
OF members OF their own party. The impO-
teuce OF the Republican majority will be the
salvation OF the South. We cannot believe
that Mr. HARRISON will under such circum-
stances convene Congress In extra session.
Although 10 legislative body quorum,
once reported. is presumed to continue until
aQueston is n lsed on the subject, yet II is
in the power o QUO fifth Of the members
present In the House OF Representatives at
any time to demSQd a call Of the roll, and,
having demonstrated that no quorum voted,
10 make that point, aud thus put stop to
legislation until quorum appears.
The Republicans In the next House would
no doubt like TO get rid Of any rules Of that
body which might curtail their power; but
n the Democrats are wise they will never
allow the rules TO be changed I'm this respect,
nor any Objectionable measure TO be passed,
by less than quorum.
In the British House OF Commons three
constitute quorum but in this county, so
far rs We know, there is no legislative body
IN when fewer than q majority constitute q
quorum. Whenever bill is passed a maio'
Eity is presumed to DO present
We trust that the Democrats in the national
House OF Representatives will never be
guilty OF so objectionable blunder IS was
made few years ago by the Democrats Of
Che Ohio Senate. On certain day they all
Hbsenttd themselves In order 10 "break
quorum" but, unfortunately, forgot thst
they had left nobody present TO make the
point that there was noquorum voting. The
result was q complete victory for the Repub-
cans and an ignomlnious defeat Tor the
Democrats.
II appears that on Monday last there was
no quorum IN the Legislature Of South Caro-
lima though there was important legislation
conc on that day. The News and Courier
received telegram from New York. in
quiFing as 10 the constitutionsllty OF the
bills passed Monday, and OF course replied
that there was 40 doubt a. 20 their csnstt.
tutionsIity. The iGel 10 that every year many
Of the most importsns bills passed by Con-
gress, or BY any State Legislature, are passed
In che absence Of quorum. Hundreds Of
thousands Of dollars are sometimes sppro-
pris,ed by less than quorum Of either
house OF Congress. 10 fact, s our Charles.
ton contemporary well says, Il 1t wereprae-
tieable TO iuyalldase legislative action by /
the allegation that no quorum was present, /
IN the absence Of any record % the fact, the !
whole OF the legislation OF Congress and OF /
every legislative body would be 81 danger
OF inyalidation.
SO though there Is much virtue In quo
rum, there may also BE- much virtue 10 the
wsnl 81 aquopm. II the Democrats In the
ucuse OF Representative. shall prove faiths
fu 10 their duty. they will be able 10 protect
not only tho southern STATES, bal abe whole
country from Objectionable Ieglalasioc. We
need not fear that any bilI can get through
The Honse u Representatives hssiag for Its
ebieci tie p.sciBg Of congressional elections
IN The sootaefp states under The control OF
xsAmsl .nsrlsssss. Ssas VI the Republicans