New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-04
MR.. CARLISLE ON TIE QUORUM QUESTION

MR.. CARLISLE ON TIE QUORUM QUESTION:
HE PREPARES A STATEMENT INSISTING THAT
THE DEMOCRATIC POSITION is THE
ONLY CONSTITUTIONAL ONE.
Washington, Feb 3.-Mr. Carlisle has prepared for
publication statement Of the present position Of the
Democratic members OF the House, which Is TO be
signed by eleven of them. The statement declares
that the present situation in the House Is anomalous
and the Speakers decisions are full of danger to
the integrity Of future legislation From the begin
ming Of the session, the statement says the House
has been and still is, far rules for its govern
mont are concerned in precisely the same condition
IS a popular meeting or a political convention, IN
which the chairman and his partisans absolutely con-
troll all the proceedings. No measure can get Deiore
the House for consideration unless the Speaker chooses
to allow it to be presented and members have no
means of knowing In advance what they are to be
called upon TO discuss decide" The statement
continues follows
This the first time in our history that legislative
assembly public meeting has attempted to trans
business for considerable period without regular
code rules prescribing order OF Its proceedings. and
the Inconvenience and injustice resulting from such an
attempt have been forciby illustrated in the present In
The Speaker has repeatedly during these eXtsor
binary proceedings, refused TO entertain parliamentary
motions that have been recognized legitimate ever since
the Government established, and when attempts have
submit the question the House. BY his arbitrary
rulings, sustained in instances by less than quorum
he has subverted nearly principle OF CONSTITUTIONS
parliamentary heretofore recognized IN he HOUSE,
This personal and partisan domination OF the House was
submitted to-though without repeated protests-unt
became convinced that It the deliberate purpose Oh
Speaker and his supporters to proceed without rue
Democratic members whose seats arc contested
and admit their Republican opponents whether elected or
not.
On Wednesday January 90 the Committee on Elections
called up a contested election case and the Democratic
members determined that in the absence OF rules u Hhouo
considered II they could prevent 1t by any proper
parliamentary proceedings Accordingly they raised the
question consideration demanded the yeas ana nays anu
the call Of the roll RETAINED from voting Inc result
that less than constitutional quorum Noted Dut inc
Speaker OF uniform practice OF the House
for century, proceeded to count members VINO
present but voting and declared mat the House
had decided take the case up. From THIS
decision an appeal taken, and motion TO lay THIS
appeal on table the yeas and nays were TAKEN and
less than quorum voted but the Speaker again counted
members not voting decided that the motion was
agreed to, and his ruling thereby sustained
Every presiding officer in the Senate and every speaker
OF the House. except present has held that whe
less than quorum voted a call OF the yeas and nays
no how many might be actually present 1t was
duty take notice OF the fact and declare tha1 he
pending bill or motion had not passed When the vote
by yeas and 1t Is not entered upon th
journal, but If any member makes the point that no
quorum has voted the proceeding is nulity' ana the
vote must then be taken over.
Many bills have been passed when there no quorum
voting and It equally that have passed when
there was no quorum actually present. but this does not
prove that the proceeding would have been valid In either
case II tho official record has shown the fact
Speaker Reed himself when in the minority on the floor
Of the House. stated the true meaning and the true
philosophy Of the Constitution when he said The Con-
sutlona idea Of quorum is not the presence Oh ma
jorty Of all the members OF the House, but majority
Of the members present and participating in the business
xHEfIla IL
Judgment and votes the Constitution calls for
General Garfield, Mr. Blaine, Mr.. Hawley, Mr. Conger
Mr. Robson and eminent Republicans have taken
the position and their arguments have never been
answered.
II any legal or political question settled in this
country BY the long acquescence Of urists and states
men Of all parties certainly this question has passed
beyond the domain Of discussion When, therefore, the
nr.sent Speaker repudatcd this settled construction OF
the Constitution and decided that when the official
record which the Constitution requires the House u
keep shows call Of the yeas and nays that quorum
has not voted he can members present and not
voting and his act outside OF the recorded
vote determine that measI re has passed, we con
sdered duty part OF the Representatives oil
the people protests in every form available
70 us under the circumstances. We conteIdInc
for the right OF minority TO govern the supporters
Of the Speaker have endeayoed to make the country be
ileve on contrary, are denying the right OF
minority to eject members from their seats or to pas
laws for the government Of the people Under the Con-
tute quorum do business and we simply insisting
that less majority shall not do business We are
conending that majority shall take the responsibility
which properly belongs to them, and shall come to tho
House of Representatives and vote they desire TO con-
troll its proceedings and protesting against their
right carry their by counting US when we DO
not vote.
The claim OF the majority that they have right 10
without attending its sessions and taking
part I'm the conduct OF It's business is prcposterou to
require refutaton IT, must be evident TO any ore who
understands the position taken by the Democratic minority
the House that 1t cannot possibly result In any injury
to the country any injustice TO the majority Its only
effect compel the Republican majority, elected
by the people, the responsibility imposed upon
them On the other hand, one foresee the evils
that may result the Inauguration OF the practice Of
counting votes not cast in order 10 make quorum Under
II minority nemberseect u the House and Senate
may pass the tyrannlcal laws for the oppression Of
the people, corrupt laws for the spoiaton OF the
public treasury.