New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-06
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TILE PROPOSED RELEN.

The House rules upon which the committee
has at last decided, embody notifications
which have been found necessary in order to
enable the majority to discharge ITS duties.
II is expected that the Democrats Will make
all the opposition in their power to these rules,
because they desire TO retain the power OF a
minority to dictate to the majority, and to stop
the transaction of all business for an indefinite
time if the majority attempts to do anything
which the minority opposes, prolonged
struggle may follow, which it is desirable that
the country should understand from the outset.
1t will be found that the only changes which
Democrats resist are those which prevent the
making of motions for the sole purpose OF de-
lay This is in itself betrayal of an improper
intention 10y the minority. If it does not IN
tend to ruin unless it can rule and to dictate
arbitrarily to the majority elected by the pco-
ule it can have no conceivable reason for OBJ
icctins to changes designed only to prevent
wantOn waste OF time. As matters have
stood when the majority has decided to act
upon any measure, it has been in the power oil
members TO move to adjourn, and on that mo-
ton to demand the yeas and nays; then to move
TO adjourn to a fixed day or hour and on that
since i'm purely technical sense other buSl-
ness has interviewed since the last motion 10
adiourn simply, the rules formerly permitted
that motion to be made again. and thus IN
various forms the purely dilatory motions could
be kept up indefinitely. The proposed rules
permit one motion to adjourn, after the House
has decided 70 take up a measure for action
II the House then decides that it will not adj
iourn. no other dilatoN motion Is to be IN
order until action has been co'hcd on the
matter in hand. The purpose here is 50 OBJ
,iou>ly reasonable thar a minority IN opposing
this change blun;ly declares lis intention 10
make purely dilatory motions for the sole pur-
pose OF stopping business which the maJoutY
wishes 10 transact. II Will be the verdict of
common sense people that this avowcd purpose
Is wrongful. contrary 10 the sworn duty OF Il
Representative, and in lis spirit di>loyal to the
fundamental idea Of government by the people.
Other changes contemplated are OF precisely
similar nature and calculated to prevent
waaton waste of time at different stages OF
procedure. In all this discussion one fact ought
to be remembered, that the power to delay
until full vote on either side can he sum
moned or until the country can be fully in
formed Of the matter pending, Is not taken
away ANY measure must come before the
House in due form, bc considered and reported
upon hy the proper committee. and bc con>id-
cred IN accordance with the rules, and thus
there is ample time To summon absent mem
bers or to appeal 10 public opinion But when
the House has reached the stage of final action
and has deliberately decided that it j., ready
to act, motions purely for delay have no other
motive than 70 transfer 10 "A minority the power
which the people have intru>tcd to a majority.
In old times delay had this excuse, that news
could not be sent to distant parts of the country
except by mail, and for Transmission weeks
were necessary. Now press kilograms convey
10 every considerable town every morning
news of dongS at Washington the night be-
fore. Readers Of all daily papers can be- in
formed about any matter pending in single
day. The only reasonable excuse for dilatory
motions in former times has beer taken away
by the extension of the telegraph to all parts
Of the country.
The proposed rules mean that the majority
whom the people have elected shall have the
power TO DO the business iutruSted 70 them.
Democratic opposition means to take from the
majority that power and to rcyOutiouiZc the
Government unless the minority is permitted
IN IIln