The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-11
THE OPENING DAY.
How the Debate on the New Rules
Began in the House.

WASHINGTON, February 10.-In the House
today the journal of Thursdays proceeding;
was read, and the Democrats insisted upon
detailed reading. 1t was approved-yeas
l49, nays 1, Speaker Reed counting the
quorum as has been his custom
The journal of Friday containing nc
ruling by the Speaker on the point Of
counting quorum, it was approved without
demur.
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois, from the com.
mittee on rules, reported back the new code
of rules, and the House proceeded to con-
slider it.
In explaining the provisions of the code
Mr.. Cannon stated that of the AZ rules which
governed the last House, 30 were reported
without any material change. The changes
were such as would enable the will of the
majority to be ascertainedsand expressed
with accuracy and with utmost expediency.
consistent with fair and due debate and con-
sideration. He criticised the rules that had
previously governed the House in the last
Congress. He said the business of the peo-
pie had been piled up on the calendars, and
not five per cent of that business had been
considered by the House. Almost as much
time had been given to the obstruction of the
minority as had been given to consideration
OF the business of 60,000,C00 people. The peo-
pie demand that the engine should be re-
verSed, and that code of rules should be
constructed so as to enable a majority of the
time with due t
register the will of the people in the shape
of law. He defended the proposed change
prohibiting the Speaker from entertaining
diatory motions.
Discussing the rule permitting the Speaker
to count quorum, he said that If the DEM
ocrats wanted to go to the country as against
the principle contained in the rule, the Re-
publicanS were ready to meet them and let
the people choose. But as sure as the Re-
publicans remained in majority they would
perform tho functions of the Constitution
which the people made 1t their duty to per-
form.
Mr.. Mills of Texas said the proposed code
would reverse legislative action and run
back upon the track upon which the govern
ment had been running forward for centu-
ry. 1t was founded upon proposition that
the minority had no rights, and that the ma
j0rity were all powerful; that il spoke by
inspiration that its action was impregnable.
1t was founded on the principle that king
was divinely appointed and could do no
wrong, 1t was not the theory upon which
any government on this continent was
founded. The great object of the govern
ment, as proclaimed by the Declaration of
Independence, was to secure the inalienable
rights of the citizen. The government was
government Of checks and balances. Rules
were intended not only to facilitate business,
but to protect the minority, and had always
done so since the foundation of the govern
ment Rules were intended to make this
body halt, pause and deliberate, and in some
instances, 60 back and touch the sober sec
end thought of the people. 1t was on the So
Der second thought of the people that the
government rested. The people might be-
come mad but that madness would disappear
in their sober second thought. They would
do what they ought to do. The Republicans
said they desired to consider an election case.
The majority had asked for rules but for
rules which, while providing for the pro-
cedure of business, preserve aud protect the
rights of the minority.
Mr.. Bayne of Pennsylvania, justified the
committee on rules in bringing in the pro-
posed code, arguing that it would facilitate
the transaction of business and would pre-
vent small minority from multiplying the will
of the majority of the representatives of the
people.
Mr.. Blount of Georgia argued in opposi-
tion to the proposed rules, dwelling in
special antag0nism upon the clause making
100 members quorum in committee of the
whole.
Pending further discussion the House al
5.35 adjourned.