Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-02
Rules Of the House Of Representatives.

years the pubHc business OF the House has
been constantly blocked by a set Of rule,
which can be welded by two or three men.
This obstructive policy has come to such a
pass that it is q constant source of wonder
and surprise how three hundred and twenty
FIVE men, each the flower Of flock" repre-
sentfng thirty thousand voters, could make
rules to deprive themselves of their own
power, and could, year after year, submit to
this deprivation without attempting to remedy
1t.
Mr.. Reed says that from the time when the
of the country, the rules of the House have
been framed with view to rendering legisla-
ton difficult. Mr.. s. J. Randall was the
strong figure of the Forty-sixth Congress-
When the rules of that Congress were revised
Mr.. Randall, who had passed his life in the
minority, and in trying to prevent things
from being done, was more anxious that the
new machine should have perfect back ac-
ton" than forward movement. In those day.
there used to be what was called "morning
hour, in which committees reported bills
and put them on their passage. Each COM
mittee had this hour for two days, and could
continue until finished, any measure pending
when the second hour closed. This hour
was fexible-not a mere literal hour of sixty
minutes, but one which might continue the
whole day if the House so desired. Under
this ruling there was no possibility Of any
clog to business, for whatever business was
entered upon must be finished and there
were always eager committees waiting for
their turn to be heard.
This was all changed when Mr.. Randall
came to be Speaker. He ruled that the
"morning hour" was sixty minutes, and sixty
minutes only. This" says Mr.. Reed
"changed a flexible conduit for business
which could not be crowded, to a cast iron
tube which could be packed to stoppage by
sixty minutes work day" Under the re-
vision of the House rules in 1873, even this
cast iron tube was plugged up and no bills
could be passed during the morning hour.
They might be reported, but to get
action upon them was impossible. For
the dispatch of business the new
rules provided three calendars-one for pub
lie bills sppropriating money, one for public
bills not appropristing money, and the third
for private bills. Theoretically this was a
beautiful scheme. 1t was based on the idea
that the House did all its work, which is a
f,llacy. The House, only disposes of one
bill in sixteen. The only method of reaching
any important public measure was by a sus-
pension of the rules, and that required a two
thirds vote, or by unanimous consent. As
this last could he refused by any individual
member it conferred the veto power" on
each member of the House. By the revision
of 1855 an attempt was made to establish a
secoud morning hour" but as half an hour
was consumed in one roll call. it is not hard
to see that a bill has but slight chance of be-
ing considered in the second hour, even with
four to one in its favor. As instances show
ing the practical working of these rules Mr..
Reed saws that Mr.. Weaver, solitary and
alone, stopped the House in the midst of its
constitute al duty of determining its own
membership; and under Rule d. motion to
adjourn. to fix day when the
House shall adjourn, or motion for re-
cess shall always be in order and when
before the House no other business whatever
can be doue. The House therefore knows
how mot To do it, as well as the circumolu-
ton offices ,aad this system of avoiding action
on important measures has, in the words of
MIR. Reed. dome much to demoralize" that
body To add to this confusion there have
been for years no joint rules governing the
mutual action of House and Senate. The
unprecedented growth of the country and
consequent increase of legislation, and the
increase of members of the House by the
coming new superintendent, still further in
crease the difficulty of her present rules, the
extent of which is not half appreciated by
the people of the nation.
The remedy is to return to the first
principles of democracy and republicanism
slike-the old doctrine that the majority
must govern. If the majority do not govern
the minority will; and if the tyranny of the
majority is bad, that of the minority Is
simply uncomfortable The rules ought to be
50 arranged as to facilitate the action OF the
majority. This change ought not to be
radical but prudent and well considered
To this end Mr.. Reed makes the following
sugge stions for changes
|. The length of the morning hour to
be controlled entirely by the House. This
would afford means for the transaction of all
business of a simple nature which required
little discussion.
2. The adoption of a provision enabling
the majority of the House to select from the
public calendars such measures as it prefers
mon which to act, with due precedence for
revenue and appropriations. Such rule
would insure freedom of action, would de-
.troy the illegitimate power of the few and
exsl, the just power of the people acting
through their own representatives.
8. Providing an amendment which Will as
.ert that motions to adjourn, to NJ day for
adjournment, and for recess, "shsii never
be rsed as dilatory motions for simple delay
This amepdme mt has already been proposed
in the House by Mr.. Cannon of Illinois lts
adoption would confine the use Of those mo-
tons to their legitimate and honest purpose
and nrevent their usurpation as eaten oy
which to clog the important action OF the
| House.
lust as the N. G. of Asylum Lodge OF ODD
Fellows was striking the gayel to close Tue
,,sve last evening there was an alarm at the
| ia- ard ahnut serenity i've LADIES' nieu IN