New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-09
REPORTS ON THE NEW CODE.
VIEWS OF THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY OF
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON RULES.
THE IMPORTANT CHANGES EXPLAINED AND
JUSTIFIED IN THE MAJORITY REPORT
POINTS OF THE MINORITY REPORT
,pr TELEGRAPH TO TIE TnIBUNE.i


uebirqton Feb. S.-The majority and minority
.ot on the new code OF rules. the rules themselves
Ia fhe code in in the last House published
,odav in pamphlet form for the use of members III
.he discussion of the proposed reforms in procedure
which discussion is likely 10 occupy great part oil
noxt week The changes themselves have been al
rc.dv fully indicated and the need of more rational
and busuesslike code, under which the flibuster ana
,h hushwhackcr will find their occupation gone hds
boon demonstrated to the satisfaction of everybody
e~cept the triple plated reactionary whose dream Is
a legislative body which never by any poSSlpih'9
.Iecslates. The position Of the body IS IN lact' ~
clearly understood, and has been 50 acceptabY sIad
IN recent debate and discussion that II has seeIc'
scarcely necessary TO go INTO any further aran"o"v
on the general ground of the reforms proposed anu
the committee has consequently cohlheu ",'"
chiefly 10 an extended explanation ana cIioi""'o"
of the rules. ~
- The extracts that are given below will show the
line OF argument taken when any spe'iai 'o'No''
on the reason for certain change s'e"S "''''''N'
rd no clearer and sounder justification OF the com
mittee's action could be asked than the statement,
for instance about the limitation OF tie quorum u
be Committee of the Whole TO 100 mat III defence
- bo Houses right 10 deal with motions undoubtedly
snatory or that empowering the speaker TO mote
t, Quorum The inevitable development OF parh@
ontarv law i'm the House. the natural leXibilu OF
al rules and the necessity for continual reforms 10
et unforeseen obstacles to orderly legislative progress
o all insisted upon in the majority report and
tbc whole case is made out with great skill ana
lpcditv so excellent printed exposition OF the
new code will tighten greatly the burden oil the ueoa'e
over the rules in the House.
This much cannot be said of the criticism OF tho
o,o.ed code offered by MeSsrs Carlisle and Randall
A. was pointed out in yesterdays dispatches the MI
nority report is brief and almost fragmentaTy WIN
tbc general tendency Of the code has apparently
little Quarrel: but when it comes 10 the provisions
which most of all, are needed TO make the new rules
effective as a system. the old cry OF
reaction is raised that the changes con
ten plated are dangerous and revolutionary
They open the door to unconstitutional legislation
which generally means legislation distaSeful 10 the
minority and will weaken the confidence OF tho
reople in the integrity of all measures passed by
congress Mr. Carlisle may have some views OF his
own of a practical sort, which he may offer on the
floor of the House when special sections of the rules
come I'D for consideration but he has given almost
no suggestions or recommendations TO details IN the
minority report. and has confined himself chiefly TO
repeang the mildly phrased rhetoric OF his Address
70 the Country in the paragraphs in which he Attacks
two or three of the leading features Of the new code
If the minority fight on the rules is to be made on
this line it will be a brief and halfhearted one.
The majority report in great detail explains the
difference between the proposed code and that pre-
viously force but IN most instances the explanation
rule authorizing the speaker 10 count quorum. The
reIOrt says: "ClauSe of Rule IA directs the method
of ascertainng a quorum when members present re
fuse 10 rollcall The process of ascertaninG
the presence of quorum to do business. under the
Constitution would ordinarily be under the control Of
the speaker who would derive his information from his
own senses or by the aid of clerk, or in any way
which would satisfy his mind Of the accuracy of the
count Under our system Of roll-callS il has been
deemed more convenient to ascertain and announce
the votes Of members and the presence Of those who
refuse TO vote. at the same time, and by the same
means"
Discussing the new clause to Rule 2s. that
datory motion shall be entertained by the speaker
The report saws This clause is merely declaratOry OF
parliamentary law. There are no words that can be
framed which will limit members 10 the proper use
Of proper motions. ANY motion, the most conducive
to progress in the public business, or the most sal
utary for the comfort and convenience Of members.
may be used for purposes Of unjust and oppressive
delay The majority may be kept in session for Ions
time against reason and good sense sometimes at the
whim of a single member; and sometimes for still
longer period at the viii Of oneffth, who are mis-
using the provision Of the Constitution for yeas and
nays. BY the aid Of simple motions proper in them
selves but which are improperly used.
In the early DAYS such prostitution OF le-
Ultimate motions, caused by wifulncss and party
zeal was not 50 much named among legislators.
Today the abuse has grown to such proportions tlat
the parliamentary law which governs American as
sembIes has found necessary 10 keep pace WIN te
evil and to enable the majority, by the Intervention oi
the presiding officer. TO meet, by extraordinary MEANS
the extraordinary abuse Of power on the part some
times Of a very few members. Why should an a.
sembly be kept from it, work by motions made only
10 delay and to weary, if the original design oil
the motion salutary and senslbleI why shou1u
one-h.th even, be entitled to waste haih oi
themselves and Of four other ffths by motion I"
aUf fQ
10 adjourn
~If the suggestion should be made that great power
is here conferred the answer that the approval OF
the House is the very breath IN the h0'ti7 ol Vne
Sneaker and As no body earth i 50 jealous % ITS
liberties and impatient OF CONTROL we may DE Pu'c
sure that no arbitrary interruption VIII taAe paos
and indeed no interruption at a-untl not only such
,piu.e Of prorer motions is made clearly evident 70
the world but also such action has taken place on
the part Of the House viii assure the Speaker OF the
support Of the body whose wishes are hi, law 80
that in the end it is power exercised by the House
through it, properly constituted officer.
Considering the question Of providing thdO Ioo
members shall constitute quorum IN CommilHo u Inc
Who'll the report says:
This proposition is not a new one. For many
wears past since The XXXth Congress a. the business
Of Congress has steadily increased numerous PROPOSE
lion, have been introduced in the House by members
OF long service looking to reduction Of the number
necessary for quorum an the Committee OF inc
Whole. but the issue Ia, never been presented 10 the
House. owing to the fact that until recently il has
ne,y been confronted with the question Of the want
OF constitutional quorum through the refusal Of the
members present in the House TO vote when their
names were called in the House, or by division in
the Committee Of the Whole. thus breaking quorum.
II has been made political question. and never
should be. It goes directly to the bottom Of the
question Of ransacing business in the Committee II
the Whole. The Committee Of the Whole, like a stand
ing select committee has merely advisory powers
and jurisdiction. lt> action concludes nothing and
must be reported 10 the House. which approves or
rejects, it peases The principle is true with
respect a quorum Of standing and select committees
The House has never adopted a rule on this subject
and it has been common practice for such commit
tee in arranging It's DAYS Of meeting order Of bust