New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-16
WANTED FAITHFUL REPRESENTATIVES,

d
nominated in all parts of the country u
would be worth while for Republican conveh-
tons. before nominating a candidate. ana 1"r
Republican constituencies. before electng one,
TO call upon him for assurance that he can ana
will give up his private business s''fflcen''!
to devote his entire time during session 10
the business of the country; that he will go
70 Washington and remain there unless pre-
vented by sickness or domestic calamity. until
the session has ended. 4 Representative who
will not personally pledge himself to this course
NAV with great propricty be requested to re-
SIGN. 40 that some one else may be selected
who will.
For the greater part of the last week. not
withstanding the new and useful rules of the
House. all work in that body has been rem
dcred impossible by the absence OF Republican
members The filh,lStcring of Democrats.
however indecent or ingenious. would hav"
had no chance t, delay public business ma
tcrially if an unusually large number of Re-
publican members had not been absent After
a long and trying session some arc lncnpar'
tatcd Ly failure of health. Others have sick
ness in their families. But many others. TAR
more than have any reasonable excuse. nave
absentcd themselves to attend to private al
fairs Some are working for reelection. and
need not be reminded that tho shortest possible
road to defeat is TO prevent the completion of
the most important public business by their
absence. Others are attending to private at
fairs or are seeking pleasure. There Is only
one rule for these gentlemen if they are not
willing 70 hl their positions faithfully. ut
whatever COS, Of personal ambition, gain or
convenience. they ought 10 resign.
No change of rules can he devised which
will enable the House to discharge its duties
promptly and efficiently. unless a quorum of
the majority can at all times be assembled
The first requisite. obviously. is that members
should lrmnn at Washington. and th" second
that they should absolutely refuse to pair with
any Democrats hereafter. except upon express
condition that they shall be at liberty to vote
whenever a vot" is needed 10 make a quorum.
No member ought to feel that he has right
to pair with anybody. except on that condi-
ton His obligation to his constituents and
to his country forbid him to take any step
which NAV render The House unable to pro-
coed with its business. I'm rho present cmcr-
gcncy at Washington all pairs which have not
this express condition should he Immediately
revoked, and none should hereafter he made
at this or at any future session without it,
So long as Democrats attempt to stop the
public business by intentional absence no Re
publican can afford to place his reputation
and his fidelity to constituents at their mercy.
Constituencies and committees will serve
their party NOR" than they realize if they will
require candidates TO assume before the cleo
ton "a distinct obligation to set aside every
thing that NAV interfere with their duties IA
Representatives. Not in harShne>>. but in
usst sober carnestness il must be said that no
man has any right t. become or 10 remain Il
candidate Of the Republican party whose
health, or private business. personal habits
or pleasures are liable 10 deprive the country
Of hi, vote when il may he needed. The time
to take that matter into serious consideration
for every candidate is before the election. The
time for constituents and their committees To
take care about it is alsp before the election.