Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1890-03-06

legislation to go on, enough of its members
would vote on roll-call to make up an audi
Bile quorum; but if the proposed legislation
was offensive to them they have been i'll the
habit of defeating quorum by the simple
device of abstaining from voting. Almost
all the Speakers of the century have held
that if members refrained from voting they
were constructively absent and could not be
counted to make up quorum. Mr.. Ram
dali and Mr.. Blaine have both reiterated
this.
When Mr.. Reed came to the chair and was
menaced with defeat of legislation by the
usual tactics, he said:
"See here! am Speaker. There are no
rules. will make quorum. Ifa majority
of members stay in the House they shall be
counted as here whether they vote or not
If | can see them they are here; if they are
here they are present"
1t was a bold act, but he did not hesitate
The roll call showed only 80 Republicans
present; he counted enough silent Demo-
Gratis lounging in their seats to make up a
quorum of 1856 and the bill was declared
passed.
Then arose Pendemonium. A babel of re-
monsirance marked the revolt. The Speaker
was denounced as q tyrant, car a usurper.
a grand mogul, a revolutionis;; fists were
shaken at him, and epithets were howled at
him; but, undismayed and more or less calm,
he held the gIvel and waited for the storm
to abate.
The yeas and nays were ordered oftener
than was absolutely necessary. Condemna-
ton Of the strange ruling famed up occasion
ally, Mr.. Springer, of Illinois, distinguishing
himself by holding the floor and calling the
Speaker to order with clear information and
al impressive vehemence which compelled
recognition and kept business at a standstill.
Atlast, after weary days of battle, in which,
white there was much vociferation there
seemed to be little real acrimony, quiet came,
and, during a lull in the storm, the Smith
Jackson election case, of West Virginia, was
brought to vote and the Republicans seated
their man Smith. In this fierce struggle
they did creditable thing which astonished
themselves scarcely less than their oppon-
ents-they got quorum of their own men,
bers present-166, clear majority of the
whole House. The only Republican abb
sentees were Messrs. Caswell and WILDER,
both sick. 1t is not likely they that they
will repeat the feat during the session.
The Democrats have adopted and signed an
appeal to the Country" prepared by ex-
Speaker SdTllSlc, ds,,tlliSt the TuiiIlSS Ot MI.
Reed, and the Republicans have responded
by reporting definite code of rules for the
government of the House. including for the
first time in history u rule "to prevent fill
clustering and facilitate legislation" provid-
ing that majority of mem bers pre>ent shall
constitute quorum, and that al! members
who are visible in the House shall b. counted
as present whether they answer to their
names or not. If the minority shall peace
fully accept this new rule and quietly go to
work underIt, a good deal of business will be
transacted this session. but if they shall still
resolve to exhaust dilatory motions and con-
tinue the conflict, the result can scarcely ba
forecast.
II the new rules as adopted the Republic
ans have provided that the minority shall
not prevent business from being done; that
certain well-known and time-honored dila-
tory motions shall not be made that fill
clustering beyond narrow limit shall not
be permitted, and. in short, that the majority
in Congress shall have the power to take up,
lay aside refer, pass. or defeat all measures
offered for consideration.
And the more conservative of the Demo-
Gratis say, "Vcry well; go ahead What is
sauce for the Democratic goose will be sauce
for the Republican gander. Have your way
this year, but remember that We will have
majority next year!" W. A. CRoFFUr