The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-03-08

gradually acquired, composed the
committee on ways and means of such
members as would bring in as soon as
possible a bill which went as far in
the direction of free trade as the rev.
enues OF the country would allow and
he constituted the committee on edu-
cation and labor in such way that the
Blair educational bill, which appro-
PIRATES S76,000OOO for the advancing
of common school learning in the
country, when it came from the senate
was never heard of again.
| What striking contrast to this ex-
traordinary power was the meager in
fuence which vice president Hen
bricks exerted when he became the
presiding officer of the senate. He
did not name single member of any
committee in the senate. He could
not render the least aid to any meas
ure before the senate. He was con-
| fronted with hostile majority. The
committees to which were referred the
bills which were introduced in the
senate over which he presided were
unfriendly to every policy which he
favored. He could neither help free
trade nor repress education. His en-
tire official duty consisted in main
tanning order and dispatching bust
ness according to the rules adopted
by the senators. He was impotent to
express his opinions or those of his
party upon any measure which came
before the senate.
The speaker of the house has as
sumed another power which gives him
influence among the members, and
adds much dignity to the Office. He
has betaken to himself the right to
recognize one member rather than an
other as he chooses, without regard to
the time when they address him. 1t
is a common rule of parliamentary
practice that the person whom the
chairman first hears addressing him
shall be recognized. This simple and
just law does not obtain in the house
Of representatives. One member may
rise in his place and clamor vigor-
ously for recognition, and may be ut
terly ignored, while another who has
addressed the speaker after the first,
may be recognized. There was a very
striking instance of this at the last
session of congress. Carlisle had
agreed to recognize Mr.. Cox, of New
York, for a certain purpose. When
the time came, however, for Mr.. Cox
to address the chair and call up his
measure, he was occupied with an
other matter. He was sitting at his
desk engaged in writing, and half a
dozen members we're on their feet
clamoring to be recognized by the
speaker, bawling out in vigorous
voice to attract the speakers atten-
ton. Mr.. Carlisle. however, quietly
ignored those who were on their feet
claiming recognition, and said: ''The
gentleman from New York, Mr.. Cox,
has the floor" Mr.. Cox's attention
was called to the fact and he there
upon got up and presented his meas
ure. The explanation of this singular
proceeding is simple. The speaker
desired to recognize Mr. Cox SO that
the bill which he brought up might
be considered at that time, and he
would not recognize anyone else, al
though Mr. Cox had not addressed
the chair, while half a dozen others
had. Such a proceeding would not
be permitted in the senate at all.
The presiding officer of that body is
held strictly to the simple parlia-
mentary rule that the first senator
whom the presiding officer hears ad-
dressing him shall be recognized.
Mr.. Carlisle, however, in exercising
this authority, did nothing more than
has been the custom of preceding
speakers. The Office which he held
has gradually acquired this authority
which he exercises. There are a few
questions, however, to which a men,
Der may rise at any time, and the
speaker must recognize him. A
member may make a point of order
at any time. He may rise to a ques-
ton of personal privilege at any time,
but he usually announces before he
succeeds in getting recognition what
his purpose is in each case.
There are other ways in which the
speaker can exercise power which
the presiding officer of the senate does
not possess. The speaker is some
times relied upon to give shade to
his decision which is friendly or IN
friendly. as he desires. it to be, to a
measure which is being considered.
This, perhaps, is transgression and
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