Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-29
The Rules of the House.


be necessary for them 10 secure In the
House OF Representatives OF the Fifty~nrst
CopCress-the House already elected-a ma
Iority large enough 70 enable them to pass,
notwithstanding the negative votes OF the
democratic members, law placing oil con-
eresSional elections under the control OF
Federal officials, or, which Il the same
thing. under the control OF Republican par
tjssns. But as It will not be possible Tor
the Republicans in tbs House OF Representa-
tives TO carry out this programme 90 long
aS the rules OF the House continue 10 be
the sane rs those which have for many
years suficed for the government o. that
body, they have dete, mined so TO change
the rules as T. make their majority OF three
snswer their purposes as well as majority
OF twenty or even OF fifty.
That they may have time 20 organize the
House OF Representatives ana adopt new
set OF rules without wasting The time that
may be needed for legislation, the Repubh-
cans have determined that an extra session
ofConrPess shall be called to meet say in Octo'
Der next nesrly two mouths before the time
fixed BY law for the assembling Of that body.
We are about 20 quote some OF the OUT
civlngs Of Republican organs on this in
teresting subject; but before we do 60, we
viii again remind our readers that the right
20 iHbustor is a right guaranteed TO the
minority IN the House Oi Representatives
bv the Constitution Of the United states, and
which right cannot iusittiabIy be taken away
from the minority. That Instrument pro-
yIdes that the yeas aud nays Of the members
Of either House Of Congress on any question
shall at the desire OF one fifth Of those pres
ent be entered On the Journal. As long,
therefore, as one fifth Of the members OF the
House Of Representatives are Democrats and
are recognized by the Speaker to make
motions, no bin 10 plsce congressional cleo
tions under Republican control can be forced
through that body.
The Washington correspondent OF the
New York Tribune writes under date OF the
18th:
"The belief that Congress will be called
together before Decembsr Is expressed by
almost every prominent politician OF either
PARTY who Il or mas been IN washington
within the last six weeks"
at IS the general belief also that the spe-
eial session which ia 10 follow will be marked
Nv some II the letccSt political struggles
which have taken place In Congress IN a
dozen years or more. In the House the ke'
publican majority, according 10 the certih-
Gates on file IN the Office Of the Clerk, Is oniy
three, and indications are not wanting that
uuestion a The organization OF that body.
In a conversation several DAYS ago Mr.. Ran
dali remarked that 'the Republicans Will
have sll they can DO 20 organize the House
1.-THE lrst great struggle, and it may be
decisive one. between the parties, Will be
over the adoption OF rules OF procedure.
The Democrats will demand the re-enacts
mcnt Of the rules of the last House. inns
struggle is likely TO be memorable one, aud
Il NAV last for months"
That would be a struggle indeed. But 1t Is
coming. The Republicans consider it the
only way in which they can secure the con-
troll OF the next Congress and elect the next
President Of the United States. Mr.. RAN
DALI IL reported by the Tribune's CORE
spondent as follows. lie said:
ali these Republicans think that thev will
be allowed TO change the rnes OF the House
So that they can sti0e the minority, they Will
fluid themselves mistaken. We will dead
lock the House for q year before we will
allow il. The Democrats are solid against
any change Of the rules that will infringe
upon the rights OF the minority, aud, with q
solid. strong minority nearly equal 10 the
majority, II Will be impossible 10 change The
rules"
The correspondent comments:
"Mr. Randall Is by odds the ablest parlla-
uentarian In TIE House on the Democratic
side. Hell firm beiiever 10 what might be
called the negative virtue OF that bedy-that
is to say, the virtue OF doing nothing. Even
when his own party Is in control he wants
IL bound band and foot by a code OF rules
which will proven, 1t from dong anything,
lest Il do only mischief lie is TO be the
leader oi the minority, and. be Will Oe ably
aud warmly seconded by every member OF
bis party m the effort 10 prevent the adoption
OF rules designed to make possible, instead
Of 10 prevent. the doing OF business"
"The struggle over the rules Is Inevitable,
and II IL should not begin until December
The first regular session Of the Ffty-frst
Congress probably would be pTOtracted un-
I'll close up0n the eve OF the congressional
election Of 1880. ltaspectal session should
be held matters probably would be so shaped
that legislative business could be begun
curly in December and prosecuted with a
fair prospect Of practical results. Repub-
llcsns wnO have msde efforts TO ascertain
the views OF tue President and his c0nhden-
ttal advisers exOress strong belief That a
special session will be beld."
The Philadelphia Inquirer, another lead
ing Republican paper, says:
"Thatthcre must be y change in the rules,
however, II there Is IN be any legislation OF
importance 70 the country st the coming
tessioo, is apparent 1t must be such a
change IS will ensble the msiority 10 enjoy
the rights which belong 10 Ill majOrities and
which We believe Ar. Randall is fair enough
10 c0ncede. The Republicans outnumber the
Democrats IN both Houses, aud aS the ma.
iority Will he held responsible for whatever
1. done or left undOne Il Is not only proper,
but 1t Is It's right TO shape and direct ieglsla'
ton"
This Is FIRE talk coming from an organ ol
the party that hhbustered whenever they
CHOSE 10 do 50 10 the last Democratic House
o. Representatives. Far better no legislation
than such legislation az the FoRASERs, the
CBASDLERs, aud the rest OF the malignant.
ere seeking 10 secure. The Democrats ere
not NilaiA W A@hS AhtANel'obhiOiitlF VI AtlSot'
ine II.
The Chicago Tribune, another prominent
Republican journal, says:
"It is settled that the Republicans Will de-
mand q change IN the House rules which y III
free the majority from the tyranny Of ob-
structlonisis."
"The Democrats are determined 10 resist
the proposed change ~ the rules In tue hope
that by obstructive tactics they may hsndi-
cap the Republican majority aud defeat Re-
publican legislation"
"When the House Is called 30 order by
the Clerk the lrtquestion will be as " rules
OF procedure, and some Republican should
move 70 adopt the old rules with certain
smendpenls 10 suppress flibusterlng. II Is
suggested that the Democratic Clerk will de-
clare such motion out OF order and refuse
20 consider any proposition except for the
adoption OF the old rules entire. II 50 nj APP
peal should DO taken OF once 10 the House
snd the Clerks decision oyerruied. Fhe