The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-04

"A partial one mduc on Ht''hl.'' -
ing tfir Speaker 10 appoint House cosn~'r
tees and consequently the livSsc has been
tohfpaled 10 conduct ~ bn~iness without
any rule or system. except The general par
lianeh.a,y law rs construed ly the speaNer'
REGUitp CukOs.
There have been no caleliaars| } is
stated. no order Of business. no nNeu 1"'e
10 receive reports from committees, or for
tire consideration Of bills or resolutions, ana
IN fsef no regular methods whatever IN the
proeeeiie3. ~ the H0ttsr: no measure can
get before the Bouse for eOesidt fatson nm
less the Speaker cbodscs to allow 1t 10 he pre-
-ented and members have nouieans OF Know
ing m advance what they are 10 be ealird
tt,.hi to discuss or decide. This H. The
first dime m Obr h story that Legislative
Assembly. or etci public meeting has
attempted 10 transact business for any con-
siderable period without a regular code ot
rules, prescribing the order Of itS proceed"
ings. and she Inconvenience and injustice r'-
sulting from such nm attempt. have been
f,rcibly illustrated in the present instance.
1he f,fiiups OF the Speaker are referred to
in vigorous iesr~s, snd she address charges
that "he has subyeried rear.f every prinei-
pie OF constitutional and parliamentary law
heretofore recognized In the House.
The calling up Of the cmith-Jackson CON
tested election case on January nth. ana
the unpfccedcnted rulings Of the Speaker m
the battle that followed are referred 10 ana
discussed,
EEETs owN WORDS.
Speaker Reed himself" the report goes
on 10 state. .when i'm. liio minority on tie
door Of the House. stated the true n'eaning
and the true philosophy Of the constitution.
when he said. The constitutional idea OF
a quorum il not the presence oi a MAJORITY
Of AN the members OF the House. but q ma
iOrity oi the members present ANA paftici-
mating i'm the business Of the House. II b.
NOT the visible presence. hut their judgment
and votes which the constitution calls Tor.
General GARFIELD, Mr.. Blaine, Nr. l'aNley'
Mr. Conger. Nr. l,ObosOn and other emit
nent Republicans have taken the same posi-
tion. and their arguments have never been
answered"
FIGHTING MINORITY.
We are not cOntcnding for the right ot
the minority 10 govern, as.ihe supporters oi
the Speaker have endeayorcd ~ make the
country believe. on the contrary, "e are
denving the right OF a minority 20 eltct
members from their seats or 20 pass laws
for the government of the people.
CONSTITUTIONAL QUORUM.
Trder the Constitution majority Of the
members OF the House constitute quorum
10 do business. and we are simply insisting
that less than majority shall not do bus.-
ness. and are cOnteudinu that Tire majority
shall take the responsibility which pr'lerl
belongs ~ them. and shall come ~ we
House OF Representatives ana vote, II thel
desire. 20 control its proceedings ana
we are protesting against their rght
10 carry their measures by counting us
when we do not vote.
A PREPOsTEROUs CLAIM.
The claim Of the majority that they have
a riyht tn govern the House without attend
ING ils sessions and taking part in the con-
duct Of it, business is too preposterous To
require refuiai0n. IL must be evident To
,ny one who understands the position taken
by the Democratic minority In The House
fhat it cannot possibly result in any iniur!
90 the country or IN any injustice 10 the ma
iority. It's only effect Will be 10 compel
the Republican majority elected by the
peOple iO assume the responsibility imposed
npon them. On the other hand. no one can
gness the evils that MAY result irOm the IN
augurafiOn OF the practice Oh Counting fo,eN
not cast in order To make a-quoruhi, n
dor il "A minority Of the members elect 10 the
House and senate may pass the most yfan-
nicai laws for the oppression OF the people,
and the mort corrupt laws for The
.poilati0n of the public treasury.
Whether ~ INTENDED or not It's direct
tendency is to break down the barriers
heretofore existing for The protection OF the
citizen against the encroachucnt ~ power
and the spOiiatiOn Of the Treasury 10y de-
strovng the limitations which the C0nsti-
tuition has wisely imposed upon the legis-
latiye department.
Constitutions are made TO restrain ma
iOrites and protect minOrltles. \ majority
ruling without limitations or restraints
upon its power, IS q pure despousm' ana u
Inconsistent with our system II govern
ment.
RUssELL's CONTIRMArlOS.
The friends Of Postmaster Russell assert
that the charge against him has been
cleared and that be Will speedily he con-
duned. lie has obtained a state'ent from
The Treasury which il is asserted clears him
of the charge Of bein. a. deiaut,r' or OF
being in debt 10 the government, ana when
shows that The apparent Indebtedness was
purely technical The indications are that
Russell will be- confirmed IN "a few days.
COLONEL MOsBY iN LUCK.
The supreme Count today render d de-
cision allowing Colonci John =. Mof Dy' tne
well-knOwn Confederate cavalry leader
I.IH
urv Department fees as Consul al Hong
Kong. which be had learned were due him.
The Court OF Claims allowed Colonel Mosby
,3. $50 and De appealed from the decision 10
the supreme Court.
TIE IDAHO TESr OATH CASE.
The supreme Court oi the United states
to-day n, ndered AN Ol in.on through Justice
| Field. affirming the Judgment Of the third
| judicial District Count 10 The ianou, ldan'
| test oath case, regarding the constitution
ality Of the iest oath section oi the tu
munds-Tucker polygamy case. The conr
1,cide. that p0l, 1.liny and bigamy are oiicn
.es against mankind, arr not properly
oart of any religious belief. and that mem
| her of the Norman Church. on that encOur
aging polygamy, cannot take oath apply in'
for registration 10 vote without a violation
Of law.
ComptroIler OF Currency Lacy this morn
ing teiegraphed 10 Bank Examiner Hep
burn 10 permit the sixth National Bank %
| New York TO resume business on Tuesday
February fth. provided all legal require
ment. had been complied with, ana the cor
dtiOn OF affairs was satisfactory To vi
Hepburn. These instructions 20 Bank ~
aminer Hepburn were in answer 10 teit
grSm from that officer informing ComptlO.
] - lAtf lilAL MI iIttllNi lit'A ltiAN ~ F-''f'
this morning. and that the bank was nos
solvent, and would during the day elect
new board Of directors and new oihcers.
THE SUPREME COURT CENTENARY.
4 yestibule train Of palace ears over IN
Pennsylvania Railroad left here for Ne
York at 3 o'clock this afternoon with a di
tinglished party Of jurists % attend n
judiciary centenary celebration IN that cii
tomorrow. The following named men
bers Of the supreme Court Of the Unite
states accompanied by tile ladies Of the
families were on the train.
Chief Justice Fuller. Associate justice
Miller. Field. Bradley. Harlan, Blatcht0rI
and Lamar: Judges Richardson and We
don. Of the Court Of Cis inns, and Marsh
Wright, of the supreme Court, accompani,
the party. The train was IN charge Of VI
George ". Boyd, assistant general passe
agent Of the Pennsylvania system, and NJ
Vim. W. Lord. tourist agent OF the Penns,
vanie road. The train Is due al Jersey ci
at ats:30P. NJ.
The WESTMlNST TER CONFESSlO
: Considered Yesterday i- the New hoi
Presbytery-
\ Ngw YORK. February J.-At today
, so.aion of the New York Presbytery the Il