Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-02-11
DISCUSSING THE RULES.
The Members Of the House Talk over the
Proposed Code.

WASHINGTON, February 10.-The Jour.
nal Of Thursdsy's proceedings was read
and although the Democrats did Eot de-
maEd detailed reading Of that account,
they Insist upon yea and nay vote upon
its approval. 1t was approved, yeas 149,
nays (Air. BuckaleW) the Speaker count
ing quorum.
Mr. Cannon, of Illinois, from the Com
mit,ee on Rales, reported back the new
code OF rules, and the House proceeded to
consider it, II was understood that for to-
day the debate should be carried on with
cut limitation, and no arrangement was
arrived at as 10 when the discussion would
terminate. 10 explaining the provisions
Of the code Mr.. Cannon stated that OF the
AZ rules which governed the last House, 20
were reported without any material
change
Mr.. Canon explained the provisions Of
the Code. He criticised the rules that
have previously governed the HOUSE. 10
the last Congress, he said, the business of
the people had been piled up on the cal
en6ars, ard not five per cent of that bus
iuess had been considered by the House.
He defended the proposed change prohib-
itipg the Speaker from entertaining dila-
tory motions. No Speaker could dare TO
refuse 10 entertain motion until It was
patent TO all that it was dilatory, and then
the Speaker should refuss 10 enterihiu it.
He denied that the proposed rule was
tyrannical, bat if it were, then 1t was d
tyranny sustained by the mejority Of the
House. II he had TO choose between the
| tyranny of constitutional majority re-
sp1ns be to the people and the tyranny of
40 irresponsible minority, he would etaud
by the constitution and 50 &c. as TO let
the majority rule.
Discussing the rule permitting the
Speaker 10 count O quorum, he said that
il the Democrats wanted to 90 to the coun
try az against the principle contained in
the rule, the Republicans were ready to
meet them and let the people choose. But
as sure as the Rsp1blicans remained In the
msjority they would perform the function
that the Constitution and the people made
it their duty to perform.
Al. Cannon then proceeded to review
the other changes in the Code, maiulaioipg
their correctness and arguing that the
effect would be 30 facilitate the transaction
Of the business of the people.
Mr.. Mile, of Texas, said the proposed
code would reverse legislative action, and
run back upon the track upon which the
Government had bean running forward
for century. 1t was founded upon the
proposition that the minority had no
fighte; that the rjoIity vas all powerful;
that il spoke by inspiration, and that its
action was impTeguable. I. was founded
on the principle tina. the king was divinely
appointed, and that he could do o wrong.
Tia. was not the theory upon which the
fathers had builded this great temple Of
liberty. I. Was not the theory upon
which any Government on this continent
mad been founded. The great object Of
the Government, as proclaimed by the
Declaration Of Independence, was to &C.
cure the iuslienable rights Of the ctizen.
Ru'es were intended not only to facilitate
husiness, bnt to protect the minority, and
they had always done 20 eince the 70 1nda-
ton Of the Government. Rlles were in
tended TO make this body halt, pauee,
deliberate, and in some iustslcss to go
bfck and touch the sober second thought,
that they would clme back and do what
they ought to do. Republicans had said
that they desired to consider on election
case, and that they had the manhood TO
c,rry out their desire. They reminded
him of the bull which had the manhood
to get in front of an engine running at
sixty miles an hour and to dispute its
passage. The bull did not stay there
long, bat bystander said that while he
admired the bull's manhood he damned
bis Judgment. Laughter.
The minority has asked Tor rules, bat for
rules which, while providing for the pro-
cedure Of business, would preserve and
prot ct the rights Of the minority.
Mr. Blyne, of Pennsylvania, justifi d
the Committee on Rules in bringing in the
proposed code, aiguipg that it would
facilitate the transaction Of business, and
would prevent small minority from nulli-
Tying the will Of majority Of the Repre-
senta,iVts of the people HIS argument
Was largely devoted to defEn,e OF the
c)nstitu,iOnslity ofthe Speaker permitting
the counting of the members present, aud
voting to make quorum, sud he cited the
practice Of many State Legislatures and
legal decisions in support Of his view.
Mr.. BlOut, of Georgia, made an argu-
ment in opposition to The proposed rules,
dwelling upon the clause making 100
members a quorum in the Committee OF
the Whole.
Pending discussion, the House ad-
| ioufned.