Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-03-07
CARLIst.E on RaED's RULEs

la the current number OF the North
american Rerislc. Hoa. JOHN G.. CARLISLE
deals with the new rules adopted By the
House % she irstauce of the Republican
managers. Mr.. CARLIsLE's brief hat
pointed parer deserves TO be lied win tie
standard works oo parliamentary law.
CInly and dispassi0nateiy the able ex-
Speaker rirs up the back the rules which
we're adopted TO rob the people Of their
rights and shows them 10 be unlawful, an
constitutional and revolutionary. We re-
get that We hsve not The space 70 publish
Mr. CARIIsLE's pspsr in foil, fer it should
be read by every American voter who cares
for ms iights.
10 ths rst plsce, il is shown that the
Speaker OF the House Of Representatives Is
the servant, net The master Of the House.
The neF rules make thu Speaker tbs mac
te7, with absolute power.
The House o, Representatives. WAS de-
s'euet by toe Constitution 20 be repre-
sensitive b5dy-represenlaiiye Of the peo-
rlr. Ii. 20 be supposed that the Consii-
totiou, while it conferred upon the House
tie right 10 enlarge or restrict i.s powers
duties and responsibilities by its owO
ruias, intended to authorize tie exercise of
power which would destroy the repre-
sentative character Of the body2 Certainly
no.. Tor tina. would be directly contrary to
the very s9iri. and essence o. our Rspubi-
can government. Bat that is precisely
VIVA. tho rew rules do. They give
% the Speaker ga srbiIary
power TO refuse to entertain any motion
which he may be pleased 20 regard as dila-
tory. biosslf slcns 20 be the judge Of
whether the motion was intended as dila'
tori cr not. This gives the SPEAKER the
power 20 refu,e to entertsis any motion be
rnay not desire TO entertain. Il gives bim
the poser 10 deprive, ct his own sill and
pleasure, the members Of the right to
make ordinary parliamentary motions ana
have them voted on by the House. In
short The reE suls8 make the Speaker the
absolute master and rot the serv9n. Of the
House, which is supposed to be a body
representative OF the people. Toe adop-
tion Of the new rules, as Mr.. CARLISLE
demonstrates, is sn inexcusable surrender
OF the privileges Of free consult
ueucy and gross ps5versiOn Of
power which was conferred By the
Constitution for the very purpose Of pre-
seryigg and promoting the independence
OF the Rerresen ative'. The members OF
the House set for the people, and when
they shsckle themselves as they do by
these new rules they shackls theiF cons'it-
ueals. the people, and 10 one will contend
tia. such a thing was ever contemplated
BY tie trainers Of our Constitution. Under
the new rules giving .he Speaker power TO
refuse 20 entertain any motion, rs he may
please. the Houss Is ncl its own master;
the Speaker is the master; il is TO longer a
repres eatative body. governing tie own
actions, bit 10 mere machine run oy one
mau, its on.y law baj0g his will. Under
the new rules the minority might IS well
say n. bone. for they hsve no voice in the
proceedings unless the Speaker, elected by
the majority, is williog 70 hear it.
So ERsKINE FRANCIS MAY, one Of the
creates. authorities on parliamentary law,
says 10 bis work:
"The rules OF Parliament are designed to i'r
nish every legitimate opportunity OF discussion
to Insure reasonable delays in the passing OF IN
por,snt measures. aud 10 guard the rights o. MI
noriues."
Up to the present TINS this hss been the
principle observed in the framing Of the
rules Of the House and was the principle
o. the bottom Of the Constitutional clause
on this subject. Bat this Congress has re-
versed ali this. Uadsr the new rules there