Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-24
FRIDAY. JANUARY "a. 1890.
Aosenteeism-Tho minonty's Rights.

AbsenteeIsm-Tho Minorltys Rights.
The curse OF Ireland is absenteesm.
The Democrats in the House of Represen-
tatives at Washington are suffering from
the same disease On Wednesday last
when every Democratic vote was needed.
and a ruling of the Speaker was either 70
be sustained or overruled by the House,
there were but 122 Democrats present out
of total of 1873 absentees! 1t
s. thus" SAYS the Washington Post,
"that great parliamentary principles are
determined Thus was Mr.. HoLMAN's
appeal from decision of Speaker REED
voted down. To borrow an illustration
from the same paper, Mr.. HOLMAN at
tempted TO stick crowbar into the re-
volving wheels of legislation" but his
Democratic associates failed TO come to his
assistance, and allowed the Republicans to
break his crowbar into smithereens, there
being only 26 absentees out Of the Repub-
aican majority as against SO out OF the
Democratic minority.
It may be inferred from the action of the
Elections Committee in the FIRST West Viz
ginia contested-election case which has
been acted upon by that committee, that
The Republicans of the House of Repre-
pentatives intend to seat the contesting
Republicans before they adopt any rules
for the government of the House. Having
unseated Democrats enough, and seated
Republicans enough 10 enable them TO
have a working majority ready at all times
to do the dirty work of Quay and CHAND-
s4ER, and the rest of the sectionalists, they
will next proceed to adopt code of rules
under the operation of which they will
enact national election-law and thus pro-
vide. so they hope, for electing n Republi
can Congress next fall. and also for per-
petuating indefinitely Republican control
Of the House of Representatives.
Under these circumstances every Demo
cratic member ought to consider it much
more important 10 serve all his cOnstitu-
ents by doing his duty in the House than
TO serve one or dozen of them by work
ing for them in the departments or else
where. We say this without intending to
reflect upon any absentee; because we
Know of course that it is often impossible
for a member to attend the House.
MIR. McMuLIS, of Tennessee, proved by
che Congressional Record that at least twice
during the present sesson-yes, the ses-
sion which began last month-Mr. REED
had upon demand appointed tellers! And,
as Mr.. BREcKrSsIDGE. of Kentucky, con-
clusively argued, if it be decided that the
members have no right to demand count
by tellers the constitutional provision that
one fifth Of the members present may de
mand the yeas and nays will be rendered
of no avail. 1t might as well be stricken
from the Constitution. Let US illustrate:
A member demands the yeas and nays.
The Speaker calls upon the members to
rise TO enable him to decide whether one
fifth concur in the call. Thus far he does
alright. But no corruptly decides that not
one fifth of the members present joined in
the call. The constitutional provision is
gone; for even if he allows an appeal his
ignorant, prejudiced Republican hackers
will vote down the appeal, taking 1t for
granted and as q matter not to be disputed
that the Speaker counted Alright and an
nounced the true result of the count.
Surely absenteeism il to be deplored if it
results in sustaining such Speaker in such
decisions.