The state herald., 1890-02-07
REEDS S SrATEMENT,
He Explains to the Public the Reasons
For His Course.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., February a.
Speaker Reed TO day made to represent
ative OF the Associated Press the following
statement concerning the Republican posi-
tion in the present great controversy:
MIR. Carlisle was entirely right when he
said in substance that the decision of the
House that quorum was constituted to do
business when n majority OF the House was
present, would change from the founda-
ton the method OF doing business. II Ger
tainly will do so, for it will enable the ma
sority elected by the people to rule by their
own votes and not by the sutrerance Of the
minority.
The rule Of the majority Is at the very
base Of our Government. II II be not true
our faith is vain and we are yet in our
sins. Look AT the practical wording Of the
other doctrine. The Republicans have u
majority Of seven, but they have only three
over quorum-i6s is our humber, lbs is u
quorum. II we arc to furnish a quorum
and the Democratic party be silent when
business is to be transacted, but vocal
when II is TO be obstructed, then there can
be but four Republicans absent on penalty
Of a stoppagc OF public business.
Now, let us sec how that works. We are
allowed but three absentces. Mr. Rock,
well is sick; il would cndanger his life TO
come; Mr.. Wlbcr Is In the same case; I.
W. Brown is too sick to be able to be there
all the time; MIR. Caswcll's wife was dy.
ing; another member must be with his
wife for reasons somewhat similar. Just
about this number OF members will be at
may get well, but others fall sick In their
turn. There is then our quorum. accord.
ing to MIR. Carlislo's idea, gone entirely,
gone TO pieces, though, even after all fraud
shall be deducted, the people had found for
the Republicans by seven majority.
Mr.. Carlisle says there is no precedent
for the decision OF the House. have per.
sonally seen and heard him furnish hun
drcd. a hundred times have heard him
declare that the number for and against
such bill was, say. 20 for and 20 agains,
automatically less than quorum
and yet declare the bill passed and then
sign the bill, thereby certifying under the
most solemn sanction OF his oath OF oiiicc
thnt the bill had properly and constitu.
,ionally passed the House. How could he
have done this II his doctrine be true tha,
quorum must votci Understand me.
Day after day Mr., CARL sic, In my pres
cncc, has declared such bill had votes for
and against by his own count ns Speaker,
less than quorum, and yet Immediately
declared II passed, and has signed titus
furnishing tho only proof that the Presi-
dent could have that II had pissed. How
could this bc except on the plain ground
that II quorum did not vote, the presence
Of quorum was enough.
But this matter docs not need argument
In Mr.. Carllsle's own State, In Democratic
Tennessee, In Democratic New York, In
Democratic Ohio, In Massachusetts and In
the courts everywhere, as you may 500 by
Mr.. Butterworth's speech, the doctrine
Just upheld by the House Is the law Of the
land, and II ought TO bo II good government,
is not to perish from the face OF the earth.
Not ruling has bocn made In tho House
to suppress hlibu-,cring which has no, the
full sanction OF parliamentary law. Thu,
mon should resist only shows how Ingram,
cd u wrong course has become und how
necessary the remedy.
What IL the House trying 10 dot Why
TO perform its highest function that OF dc
Gliding tho righ, OF member 10 his seat
rntil issa no man ever dared TO illibus,cr
against such case. No man ough, 10 bc
allowed TO do II to-day. Yet every day
three hours are wasted In approving tho
Journal, when iivo minutes would bc ample
These three hours bolong 10 public bunl
ucss. The people do not understand that
VERY roll call consumes three quarters OF
an hour.
When we nrst came here tho obstruc
lionista declared that thoy would die In tho
ast ditch against any rules they did no
approve OF. nnd now they arc wanting 10
lie at Thcrmopylm In defense OF tho iIber
les Of their country because wc don't
Iorcc the rules on them. II there could bc
lever deaths NJ 1'hcrmopylm, and moru
business In tho House, the country would
30 bct,cr on. II Ia true that Democratic
eadcrs like Mr.. Carlisle have long since
'eaacd 70 participate IN u defiance of good
Government, but thcy should now mako
themselves heard M 9inatiycy on the side
" order