The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1890-03-28

rules ~ rtitttfN y Ir'P1@t0 1MtuHm'"v
; that s.the Speaker shall not In any case
refuse 70 entertain m appeal from his
decision" This amendment Was reject
ed BY q strict party vote. every Demo
crat present voting for il and every
Republican present voting against A.
The right Of the House to authorize
the Speaker 10 direct the clerk 10 enter
the names Of members on tho Journal IS
not disputed: but tho constitutional Of
feet Of such a proceeding is quite a diff
fercnt question. This is not the place
TO discuss the constitutional question,
but the practical effect Of the rule for
the time being will be that In a House
consisting. when full. Of $50 members,
% whom 100 constitute . quorum. tho
Speakermay declare the most important
bills passed when the record shows that
they were voted for by one member only.
II there are enough others present to
make a quorum. Unless all previous
presiding officers were wrong. this IL a
fiagrant violation 81 the constitution;
but whether SO or not. ii is certainly q
most dangerous innovation upon the
settled practice Of the House. and, in
stead Of being a reform. il is a move
mcnt in the direction oi loose. unjust
and improsid~nt Legislation.
II is true that the power now con-
ferred upon the Speaker has been ex-
ercised in some 81 the State Legisla-
lures in times o. high political excite
ment or bitter personal contests; but
tho dispassionate judgment Of tho
thoughtful and conservative people Of
the country condemns il. and no consti-
tutional convention has ycntured to de-
clare in terms that a minority could
pass laws even though the majority
were absent or silent.
The adoption OF the new rules Is in
many respects a long step in exactly
the wrong direction. This is especially
the Ease SO far as they relate TO tho
powers OF the Speaker. Reform should
have commenced by curtailing. instead
extending. the authority Of that OIL
and the control Of the House itself
over its " proceedings should have
been enlarged upon some plan which
would have prevented unreasonable and
obstruction and delay. but at
the same time given ample opportunity
Tor deliberate consideration and action.
Cnder any system Of rules that can
devised. the presiding officer in
body so numerous as the House OF
representatives will necessarily have
more power than ought TO be intrusted
Q any man in this country; and no mat
er how just and impartial he may be.
here will be occasions when he can not
scape the imputation. at least, OF un-
air and arbitrary action. In the con-
let OF opposing interests and opinions
e Is often compelled 70 decide impor-
ant questions without proper time for !
considerations; and. even II he is guilty ,
I no intentional abuse Of mis- great au- {
he may do an actual injustice
HIGH can not afierward be repaired. /,
he simple power 10 decide what men, !
shall be recognized to speak or
AXE a motion when more thar one
ses appears to be necessary in order to Z
constant struggles and confu- !
on on the floor. and yet It is a power !
hich often enables the Speaker to de-
what measures shall be taken q
p. and is therefore Inconsistent with :
absolute freedom and equality OF {
When such results may fol- I
w the exercise Of Q power so simple v
necessary as this IL is not strange ,
lat b advocates OF equal rights in !,
le House should look with some de- 4
'ee Of alarm upon every proposition to a
infer additional authority upon its a
oficer.-J. q. Carlisle, in N
American Review. Y