The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1890-02-22
WASHINGTON LETTER
From cur regular correspondent.l
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. 1890.

minority report on the code of Rules,
which Mr.. Carlisle by his p%arliame,,-
tary adroitness compelled the reptlh-
lican majority of tile House committee
on Rules to report much Sooner than
they had intended. 1t says of the
clause in the proposed Rules autl0riz-
ing the Speaker to count members not
voting to make II quorum ''This is
the most radical, and in our opinion,
the most dangerous innovation pro-
posed by the majority, if agreed to.
the personal and property rights of
the citizens, protected heretofore by
laws enacted By the votes of Il major
ity, may be impaired or destroyed by
the votes of mere fraction Of the
members of Congress. Ii the same
way enormous sums of money may te
appropriated from the public treasury
for the NEST unconstitutional ard i'm
proper purposes. Amy rule Of prac-
tiee which enables the Speaker or the
clerk to pass bills BY counting mem
bers present and net voting will in
evitahly result iii destroying the con-
tidence of the people in the integrity
of legislation.
The Rules were called MP in the
House to-day and nothing else isto he
done until they are disposed of. Just
when that will be cannot b. stated yet.
The Republicans seem inclined to try
to rush them through and IT, have =
final vote taken no later than We'd
nesday, but this programme will he
vigorously resisted by the democrats,
who insist upon ample time bGiiis
given for a full free discussion They
have taken this stand, not because
they expect to defeat the adoption of
the Rules, but that thcy may have an
opportunity, through the medium OF
speeches, to show up every flaw in
them, SO that the country may place
the responsibility where it belongs.
The imperative need Of more psb-
lie buildings in Washington has
been much talked Of in both ends
Of the Capitol. since Senator Nor
rill brought ont the fact that Sl2I.-
700 a year was being paid out by the
Government for rents in this city, and
that owing t. the uvercrowded con
dition of the Government buildings
the amount raj continuously increas-
ing. The sentiment in Congress
seems to be in favor of erecting the
buildings necessary to carry on the
business of the government. and it is
probable that early action will be
taken III the matter. This is particu-
larly necessary in the case of the
Government printing Office. q ram
shacklety. unhealthy. old rat-trap
which will some day fall down and
kill several hundred of its sardine-
packed occupants if it is not replaced
by a e building.
The Republicans in Congress are IA
long ways from being q happy family
just now. Senator Edmnnds threat
ems to resign from the Senate Com
mittee ON foreign affairs because q
resolution of his was voted down in
the executive session, while Senator
Sherman chairman of the committee
chuckles and says "let him 60" On
the House side there are oceans of
trouble. Speaker Reed is hopping
mad because the republican caucus
amended his code Of Rules by adj
ding a clause making pension legis-
lation privileged at all times. and he
has Unlimited to Mr.. Carlisle through
a third party, that if democrat will
move to strike out this clause enough
republicans would vote with hm to
do so.
The hearings in the Ohio ballot
box forgeries still go merrily on, but
it is expected that this week will end
them. Whatever the committee may
do, the impartial public has convicted
Foraker and Halstead of trying to
destroy a mans good name with il
paper which they knew to be for
ged.
Belief that the new Rules are 10 be
adopted by the House has brought \
swarm of lobbyists Of all descriptions
to Washington in the hope of getting
u part of the spoiIs. This is the way
the matter strikes representative
Crisp, of Georgia, one of the most clear
headed men in the House "When
you consider the propositions for i'm
mense expenditures of public money
that are being urged upon this Con-
gress. and that these rules make the
way clear for them, you do not have
to be q pronhet to see that the money
asked for by Congress is apt to over
balance that held at the treasury"
The democrats are taking the pre-
liminary steps towards a winnin.
congressional campaign this year
Representative Flower, Of New York,
has 9 e elected temporary chairman,
and representative McRea. Of Arkan-
sas, temporary secretary of the con,
gressional campaign committee
GrAat nressnre IL heinr hronnht ~