The Portland daily press., 1890-02-03
ENDORSED IN MAINE.
A Quartette of Leading Men on the
Speakers Position,

An Augusta despatch, on the present con-
troversy In 1.-THE House of Representatives,
says:
Hon. j. Manchester Haynes, who has
been presiding officer of both branches of
1ne legislature and who has made parla
the general subject Is this: That any delib-
eratiye body is absolutely without, and
pound by no rules whatever, nor by any
precedents, nor even by any supposed gem
eral parliamentary law. until such body has
adopted, by vote, some plan of procedure;
that while in the chair the duty Of its pre-.
siding officer is to announce from time to
time what he believes to be the will of that
body. He may determine what that will is
In any manner ne pleases. 1t is enough if
body is and faithfully declares it. II he errs
In Judgment as to what that may be, the as
sembly may Immediately take notice of that
error and correct it. If l understand Mr..
Reeds position. 1t is very much as / have
stated, and 1t seems to me that his oppo-
nents are endeav0ring to hold him to some
specific method or parliamentary procedure,
citing sometime rules which have governed
1ormer Congresses, sometimes the
method OF procedure in state
legislatures. sometimes -precedents
from the course of the English Parliament,
and sometimes what they call general par
llamentary laws. In my vieysuM - ease,
While such methods of pr0ceSkf<ehay be
properly suggested as convenient way out
OF a difficulty, do not understand that any
OF them have the force of law, binding upon
either the Speaker or the House, until the
House has decided that it Will govern its
conduct by some such rules and precedents.
Il it is said that this position leaves the
its duties. it is situation which it is in the
power of the House to correct at any mo-
ment by the adoption of some definite plan."
Senator Herbert M. Heath, who is an able
lawyer, and who has seen good deal of leg
islative service, and is familiar with parlia-
mentary procedure, said "Speaker Reeds
position is indorsed by conservative Repub-
licans, lawyers and laymen alike, upon the
broad ground that the majority should rule.
the House today Is without rules, ,and bound
only y by the limitations of the constitution.
We believe it to be the duty of every member
to vote, and that no member bas the right in
the absence of rules, to obstruct legislation
by refusal to vote. l find general approval
OF Mr. Reeds courage, and especially among
men men IN no sense politicians The remedy is
Judge W. P. Whitehouse, who, although
Republican, has never been an active parti-
san, and who disclaims any special familiar
ity with parliamentary laws, said ST am
mucn grained to lind that we have in the
chair OF the national House man with the
courage of his convictions, who does not
hesitate TO declare what every member of
the House knows to be the fact, and thus at
least overrule the absurd practice which has
too long prevailed, of tolerating what prac-
tlcally amounts to minority rule"
Mr.. Clarence Hale of Portland. who hap
pened to be in Augusta, and who has seen leg
islative. service, said: 81 think the position Of
Speaker Reed and the Republicans Of the
House is sound and correct one, whatever
may have been the precedent of parlia-
mentary bodies. l have no doubt it will
settle the question, as the constitution indi-
Gates, for all future time. 4"