New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-11
DEBATING THE NEW CODE.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE.
MR. CANNoN'S ADMIRABLE ARGUMENT IN fNI'
sENTING THE REPORT-MR. MILLS oF'
POSES THE PROPOSED CODE
rur DEMOCRATS DOCILE.
THE DEMOCRATS DOCILE.
rpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l


THE DEMOCRATS DoCILE
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
urosbirgton Feb 1O-The Democrats in the House,
,bo were o begerent and abusive ten days ago. were
docile and submissive enough to-day-ln appearance
nj least although it may well be doubted IL lheS Iel'
as meek and humble at heart as thelr appearance
seemed 10 denote Some of their leaders painfully
reaze that the antics Of the minority in regard to the
consideration of the West Virginia contested election
case thoroughly disgusted the conservative people OF
fhe country and opened their eyes TO the necessity
of the reform in methods OF parliamentary procedure
for which the Republicans have been and are sun con-
tending The revolutionary tactics which were used
by the Democratic minority in the last House with
such success and which caused general and profound
feeling of disgust at the time had been measureaby
forgotten as had been also the arbitrary and revou-
tonary conduct Of Speaker Reeds professionalism
after ALL was the chief Obstruconist OF the LIN con
gress-unt recalled by the Of the Democratic
minority in the present House.
II the Republicans had desired or attempted to en-
trap the minority they could not have hoped to be
so successful the minority had been in entrappng
itself. The fierce threats and pussant declarations
Of Randall, Mills. and other Democratic leaders before
Congress assembled, that they would compel the re-
enactment Of the old rules. with all their imperec
tons and thereby prevent the doing of anything to
which the minority might object were not generally
considered important until they were approved by
a Democratic caucus. and efforts TO make them good
had been supported by the full Democratic strength In
The House
The minority did not discover until too late that
it had not only furnished the Republicans with
weapons and ammunition. but had aroused public
sentiment against the rule or RUM programme laid
down by the Democratic leaders. The Democrats
now seem to realize in degree the faulty OF the
policy which they ushered in with such flourish OF
jrumpets; and they would like to have the country
forget it. They nterposed objection TO day 10 the
r1o~ ~ fhp rnr1tff
tee on Rules and it seemed probable that they would
content themselves with legitimate efforts TO obtain
such notifications Of the report might be practjca-
be- In the debate which followed. and which was
opened by Mr. Cannon. the Republicans had much the
better Of their opponents. who stand committed 70
code of procedure which the experience of the last
years has proved to be not only inrinsicaly vicious
and defective, but destructive of the purposes which
such cOdeJs designed to
The journal of Thursdays proceedings read
Ind. although the Democrats did not demand de-
tailed reading of that document, they insisted upon
q yea and nay vote upon It's approval. II ap-
proyed-yeas. 149, nays. Cfr. Buckalew) the
Speaker counting a quorum. The Journal Of Frday's
proceedings. containing ruling by the Speaker
On the point of counting quorum. was approved
without demur
In explaining the provisions Of the code Mr.. Can
non stated that Of the fortyseven rules which gov
erned the last House, twentyn nine were reported
without any material change. Tie changes were
such would enable the win Of the majority 20 be
ascerained and expressed with accuracy. and with
the utmost eXpedency consistent with fair and due
debate and consideration. lie criticised the rules that
have previously governed the House. In the Ia;
Congress- he said the business Of the people had been
piled up the calendar and not per cent Of that
business had been considered By the House. Almost
much time had been given 70 the distraction o.
the minority had been given 70 the consideration
of the business of 100000 people Tie people lie
manded that the engine should be reversed. and that
such code Of rules should be constructed as would
enable majority Of the representatives Of the people
in the shortest time consistent with due considerations
10 register the VIII Of the people IN the shape 20: law
Mr. Cannon defended the proposed change pro
hibitng the Speaker from entertaining dIhtoy mo-
tons. No Speaker, he said would dare refuse % en-
terrain motion until II was patent TO AL TINT
was dilatory ard then the speaker should refuse 70
entertain it, lie denied that the proposed rule ga,
tyranncal; but if it then 1t was tyranny sus-
tanned by a majority Of the House. II he had 10
choose between the tyranny Of a Constitutional ma
j0ity responsible to the people and the tyranny u
an irresponsible minority he would stand by the
Constitution and so act as TO let The majority rule
Discussing the rule permitting the speaker to count
quorum Mr.. Cannon said that If the Democrats
wanted to 60 to the country against the principle
contained in the rule the Republicans were ready 10
meet them, and 1T the people choose hut a. surely
as the Republicans remained in the majority. they
the people made it their duty to perform Mr. Cannon
then proceeded review the other changes Ia the cOdc
maintaining their CORRECTNESS, and arguing that theF
effect would be to facilitate the transaction Of the
business Of the people.
Mr. Mill, said that the proposed code would reverse
legislative action. and back upon the track upon
which the Government lad been running forward for
a century. 1t was founded upon the proposition that
the minority had no rights that the majority was all
powerful: that the latter spoke by inspiration ana
that its action was mpregnable The code wa
founded Oh the principle that the king wss dlvlheB
appointed and tnat he could do no wrong, lnat wa;
not the theory upon which the iatIcrs iad Du.4.Va
this great temple OF liberty Inc seat ODIcUt VI TID
Government. a. proclaimed BY the DcclaFau0n o ~
dependence, 10 secure the lnaIelaDe rights Oh ui'
citizen. ,
eminent of clecks and balances. Rules were INTENDED
NOr only TO facilitate business but To- protect the
minority and they had always done 50 since the Iou
datiOn OF tho Government. Rules were Htehdeu 10
make this body halt pause deliberate and. In some
instances, 10 20 back and tOuch the sober heoouu
thought Of the people. II "@I upon ,6 S,g
tho Government rested. The minority had askol
for rules. but for rules which, VINE provSung lot
the procedure OF business, would preserve anu poct
Mr. Baync. OF Pennsylvania, justified the Committee
on Rules, in BRINGING in the proposed code arguing
that il would faclNlat, the udi-icuoh Oh Di7Hc9A,
and wOud prevent a SMALL minority from nulhlylng
The will Of the majority Of the representative Z" the
people. III, argument wa IaiEeN deHov 5 70 d
uniting fbe counting of members present anu not
voting to make quorum, and he clt'n tle pidcuCe
OF many state Legislatures and legal DECISIONS III
Mr. Biount Of Georgia made an argument i1
opposition % the proposed rules dwelling III e'ptcI
antagOnism upon tie clause making 100 mchDei7
a quorum in The Committee Of the Whole.
ppoCrrnTNCs ~ TIE SENATE.