New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-07
TIE NER CONGRESS.

The election of Republican Congressman In
Montana appears to be assured and there has
been no doubt as to the election of four Repub-
Gcan members from The other new States. A
reinforcement was really needed far more IN
the House. because of its rules, than IN the
Senate, where The Republican majority Will
doubtless be sufficient for all emergencies, even
if the reported frauds in one Montana county
sbould rrove 70 have given to the Democrats
the Legislature on joint ballot, and therefore
two out OF the eight new Senators from the new
States. I'm the House, with the five new mem
bers. the Republicans will have fair working
majority, and the resignation OF Representative
Knitting. who was incapacitated by Sickness
will doubtless be followed by the election oil a
Republican who can attend at the opening OF
the session.
These prelimnaries being satisfactorily set
tied. the Republicans ought to realize that the
county has entrusted to them full responsibility
for the conduct Of the Government in all Its
branches. They cannot shrink from the per-
Torrance of any difficult duty on the plea that
their strength is inadequate. If there are any
members Of the majority who are not willing
to attend at the very opening of the session, ana
without intermiSsion for any private business
whatever until they are no longer needed, con-
stituentS ought Immediately to notice their
absence, and make them understand that they
must attend or resign The entire success OF
the Administration and Of the Republican
party, in diScha ging satisfactorily the trust
each has received from the people, may de-
pend upon the constant and faithful attendance
Of oN-ar, n1anbpr of tho majority.
The first necessity is to adopt rules for the
government of the House, and it should be
understood that the rules Of previous Con-
crosses have no binding force whatever, unless
they should be adopted anew. 1t is thus not
only practicable but the most obvious duty OF
the majority to frame and adopt rules which
shall not deprive it of reasonable power to
CARY out the wishes Of the people as expressed
in their election. If that is made the occasion
for partisan struggle by Democrats, who de-
ene to re.ain for an insignificant minority Of
twenty or thirty men power to block the wheels
of Government at their pleasure, the sooner
the issue is met the better
After that the next duty which cannot with
any propriety he deferred day longer than is
absolutely necessary, is to pass upon contests
LOT seats. oOHlc Vi lHcSc are ScIlOuS anu uiiii
cult cases, which may require delay. The ma
jorty will not be disposed to use their power
unfairly or with unseemly haste in any such
instance But others, and not a few, are cases
50 fragrant and 50 notorious that committee
composed of cIearheaded and firm men will
probably be able to reach conclusion
speedily 1t is matter of record fact which
appears on the very face of proceedings in
some of these cases, that Republican members
were duly elected, but were robbed Of their
seats by Democratic State officers, in pursuance
Of the plot to seize a majority in the House.
It would be a great wrong to the members, to
their constituents and TO all good citizens of
the country. to allow Suth cases to remain I'M
decided. and such districts to remain fraudu-
lently represented one hour longer than it is
absolutely necessary.