New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-11
TILE UNUSE AT WORH.

r. is announced in dispatches from Washng-
ton that the Democrats will resist to the utmost
Of their power either of the contemplated
changes of the rules for the purpose OF enabling
the House to do business. In that case there
will Immediately begin struggle OF great I'M
portance and Of uncertain duration Inc ne
publican members if they attend strictly TO
their duty. and hold steadily in the House the
majority which the people have given them can
terminate it soon. If individual members fail
TO do their duty, and care more for prlVate
business,n rest recreation and the like, IMAM
for the good of the country and their party theS
will indefinitely proong the contest and render
its issue doubtful. The whole history OF TWO
sessions of Congress, the complete success or
failure of this Congress as lawmaking body,
and incaculable results to the Industries ana
business of the country and to the Republican
party, hang upon the decision as to the rules
Speaker Reed has surprised and gratifed the
House by his prompt announcement OF some
most important committees, so that the work
can be begun without waiting for the adoption
of the rules 1t is recognized by friends and
foes that his course " means business" lie IN
tends that Congress shall not fail, through any
neglect or lack of promptness on his part to
meet the needs of the country and the Repub-
lican party His selections for the important
committees are judicous, both as to personal
qualifications and as to geographical distlibu-
ton, and he was doubtless helped by the grace
full decision of Judge Kelley that his physical
strength was no longer equal to the arduous
duties of leadership. With Mr.. Mckinley in
charge on the floor and in the Committee Of
WAYS and Means, Mr. Cannon in the Committee
on Appropriations, and Mr.. Rowell in the Com
mittee on Elections, strong and rapid work
may be expected 1t is suggestive Of the grow
ing power of the West by the way, that an
Eastern Speaker has selected for two of the
most important chai,manships members from
two adjoining districts in Illinois, and for the
third a member from Ohio.
To make business possible it is necessary that
the majority should in some way be set free
from the power of small minority to block
action indefinitely by succession Of motions
made only to cause delay 1t may be said that
the method adopted in the British House of
Commons or the French Chamber Of Deputies
has worked so well as to encourage imitation
decide what are diatory motions, and to refuse
to put them. No individual, no minority is
there permitted to insult the legislative body OF
the people by motions designed only to deprive
that body Of its nghtful power. No person Of
self-respect or dignity of character, no person
who is likely to be elected Speaker by either
party, will condescend to abuse such an au-
thority, and if Republicans vote to intrust it &c
MIR. Reed, they do SO with full understanding
that the same authority will be claimed anC
exercised by an opponent if the Democrats re-
gain majority in the House. The other mode
of curbing factious minority by provision thai
a dilatory motion can be repeated only after The
lapse of certain time, may nevertheless be
Judged the wisest by the committee, in view Of
other rules in which the House differs from
legislative bodies abroad. The Republicans
will stand ready to sustain their committee il
either plan, since the Democratic members have
kindly announced that they intend to resis
either to the end.