The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-29
spnAKER AND r1LInusrnR.
Their Respective Powers in the House
OF Representation.

"a esoPEOoouthtlV65s
Henry LOOMS Nelson In the July Atlantic
In this stage OF legislation, when the bill
has passed out Of the committee-room and
is on the calendar, the Speaker exercises
his power more freely than he does in APP
pointing the standing committees. He
very often gives member an opportunity
to get his measure before the House; and
he oftener absolutely kills bills by refusing
to permit their movers 10 catch his eye.
When the debate is on, he recognizes the
speakers agreed upon. This power. is
enormous, and because many Speakers
have endeavored to exercise it fairly and
for the advancement OF the public bust
ness, 1t is none the less dangerous. This
order Of business and the character OF the
legislation Of the House Of Representa-
tives rest largely in the discretion OF one
man, who is not held responsible because
he is not charged with the task which he
Performs. The first thoroughly bad
Speaker we have will show the
country what an evil thing this is.
The Speaker here, as in the compost
ton OF the committees, is limited in the
exercise Of his power by what may be
called the public opinion OF the House.
lie cannot safely go against that, but the
House, like each OF its individual men,
bers, is interested in comparatively few
subjects, and there is very large and inn
portant field in which the Speaker can d.
rect legislation. Here he is subject only
to the filibuster, who is now nearly omnip-
otent. The Speaker may determine the
character OF measure by his composition
| OF the committee which considers 1t. He
may see that the member in charge of ii
secures the floor and presents 1t to the
House, but here his functions cease. He
cannot force II to vote. From this time
on. the filibuster Is master OF the situation.
He is stronger than the Speaker. or the
committee, or the House. He can compel
the withdrawal OF the measure, or he can
force the Speaker TO trade with him I'm
der the most recent theory OF the rights OF
the minority, which may consist OF only
one member, all business Is subject 10 his
attack. and the man who can sway legisla-
ton and bend IL as he desires must sue
cumb at the last and most critical step II
the filibuster rises up against him, while,
opposed 10 this potentate, not even the
| Bubht OHthtCh VI tho AiShoO ,oh Hi'NoAhs
Here are the two mightiestpowers in the
House OF Representatives, the two which
control the law. making body. The Speaker
is under certain limitations, which oper-
ate the moro effectively the higher the
character and ambition OF the man who
occupies the chair. Tho flibuster need
not feel the force OF any restraining in
fluence. for II may well be that he has
neither reputation TO lose nor future 10 inn
peril. Until these two powers are bound,
the majority Of the American House OF
Representatives cannot control its bust,
ness. So far as the Speaker is concerned
II Is true that, until the present system is
changed, he must continue TO exercise the
right TO select bills for consideration.
There must be Some one to perform this
task, and II would be the hight OF I'M
wisdom II the House should undertake 10
90 on without q regular and we.l-detined
order Of business but that order should be
directed by itself, anil the legislation Of
Congress should not be rli TO tho discre-
ton Of any man who may easily become
an irresponsible auiccrai.