Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-02-06
THE CODE OF RULES
"Filibuster" Dropped from the
Legislative Vocabulary.
REEDS NEW DEPARTURE RATIFIED

Radical Changes I'm the Procedure of the
House = The Republicans in Caucus
Adopt Them All, and the Democrats
Ask for Further Time-Pension Bills
Made PriviIeged-wood's Patent Bal
Fawkes Sensation.
WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. 6-The Repub-
lican caucus in the house yesterday after
noon was called to order soon after the house
adjourned by Henderson of Illinois, the per-
manent chairman Mckinley, as the repre-
recognized and proceeded-while he read the
new code prepared by the Republican mem.
bers of the committee-to explain what
changes had been agreed to and their various
meanings Mckinley was assisted in ex-
planning by Cannon. AS each rule was read
It yas explained and afterward debated and
amended or adopted
Radical Changes Indo,ssd.
The first change OF importance that was
passed on was the new rule allowing the
speaker to determine what are dilatory mo-
tons, and giving him authority TO ingnore
them when made.
The new rules making 100 members a
quorum In committee of the whole and au-
thorizing the speaker to count members
present, but not voting, in order to make up
a quorum, were also adopted The last
mentioned rule provides that the clerk,
under the direction of the speaker, shall
note the names of members present and not
voting and hand the list TO the speaker to be
read. This is probably the most radical
change provided for in the new code By
adopting it the Republican members sustain
Speaker Reeds rulings during the recent
contest over the Smith-Jackson election
case
Other Important Notifications.
The other important changes in the new
rules adopted by the caucus were those pro-
viding for three calendars of business, to be
known as the "Union," the Private" and
the House" calendars; providing that the
house shall not make new legislation on ap-
preparation bills; closing debate In commit
tee of the whole; abolishing as privileged
motions to take recess or adjourn over 70
set date; allowing but one motion to ad-
journ to be entertained when any PROPOSE
ton is under consideration; the restoration
Of the morning hour, and the taking up of
house bills amended by the senate, immedi-
ately upon their return to the house
The Morning Hour.
Respecting the morning hour, il is pro-
vided that it shall last for sixty minutes,
and shall be devoted to the consideration of
bills reported by committees. II, at the
close Of the hour, the matter is still undis-
posed OF, a motion to go into committee OF
the whole on a certain measure may be
made. To this an amendment in the shape
Of a substitute of another bill may be made
and should this be lost, the morning hour
will continue until the subject Is concluded
Concerning the rule providing against
new legislation on appropriation bills, il
was explained 20 the caucus that the COM
mittee OF the house having charge of appro-
priation bills will be allowed, under the rules,
90 report legislation at sny time Co limited
extent
Bills for Reference.
Another section of the rules reported to
the caucus and agreed to, provides that bills
be laid ON the clerks desk for reference by
the speaker. This does away with bill day,
and If this section is adopted in the house,
the titles of bills introduced will not be read
to the house, but they will be sent to the
public printer after the speaker has written
tno haiue vi thc appropriate committee on
them.
Pension Bills Privileged.
There was considerable debate on a propo-
sition submitted by Atkinson of Pennsylva-
mia TO amend the proposed rules by making
pension bills matters of privilege The dis
cussion waxed hot on this, but Atkinson
finally carried his point
The various changes were not, however,
adopted without considerable discussion,
some of the subject matter being objected to
as entirely too radical.
While there was not that unanimity that
prevailed at the caucus which first consid-
cred the rules, the code, as whole was ac-
cepted without much dissent The caucus
met at p m. and remained in session until
few minutes after o'clock last evening.
Considered by the Democrats.
A Democratic caucus was held last night
In the house. The new code of rules was the
single topic of discussion. Carlisle read each
rule in turn and following the example Of
Mckinley at the Republican caucus, ex-
planned the new features There was little
discussion. II was agreed that Carlisle
should ask the Republicans for more time to
deliberate on the proposed changes. The
caucus then at $50 adjourned.