New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-18
PADDING THE CONGRESSIONAL BEcORD'
DEMOCRATS DlsGCeTED WITH THE CONsE
oUENCES OF THEIR ABUSE or
LEAVE TO PRINT

LtNb = ~ IlIN
Washington, A>Hl II (Special,-The free-trad,
leaders In the House Of Representatives are thoroughly
disguised with the consequences Of the successful con
spiracy to have Henry Georges free;rade book re-
printed and distributed ut the expense OF the taxpayers
q the United states. If the word conspiracy" i too
harsh, "colusive arrangement" may be substituted
IL is understood that the chairman OF The House Com
mittee on Printing prvy to this arrangement and
that he gave his consent Il not his unqualified approval
10 1t. II is not strange, therefore that he objected
Ito having the resolution offered by Mr. Burrows re
fcrcd 10 the committee OF which he is chairman. II
MI Johnson, of Ohio. and the other free traders who
cOncocted the scheme and carried II ont cOuh have
foresecn The consequences. they probably woul1 have
decided that 1t too cunning ard might have
abandoned It, They however. the objects OF much
undeserved reproach from their party associates who
Oh Thursday by formal vote approved the scheme
by laying on the table the resolution offered BY Mr.
BurrowS' approved not only the scheme by which "a
frce-tIHde work was smugglcd into The Record" but
me scntments and opinions OF its author
Inns acuon has resulted as might have been fore
seem Iho opponents Of free trade naturally and
properly argued That If :" The Record" 20 BE- made
medium for the free publication and distribution Of
free trade literature 1t might also be used for con-
VarF purpose In fact the Democratic majority OF the
House ma formally declared that II could be used.
Today's Record therefore. contains as did TINT Of
Yesterday. about forty columns matter in which the
vi are SET forth ana maintained WIFI
lHuch force and vigor and with imm-asuraby greater
ability than is exhibited in the arguments of the free
tTnder whom the Democrats have adoDtcd rs their
champion.
of course the Democrats have discovered that
the privileges OF the House are being abused and
earnestly striving to devise plan 10 correct the abuse
Several conferences held yesterday by Speaker
Crisp and his Democratic colleagues Of the Committee
on Rules with other DeinOcratc leaders. and several
remedies proposed Of which. however.
Pacd 10 be satisfactory practicable. The fact Is
That the majority has placed Itself 10 the worst kind
OF dilemma; 1t take step without reversing
and repudiatng it's own formal decision Two orders
Of the House, made by unanimous consent, granting
" general leave to print still in foIve-Crc the
Wool bill and the other on the Silver bll-and until
these orders revoked any member who may desire
u do may insert an nnspOken speech in The
Record on either both Of those subjects and en-
body therein such matter he may choose II Is
probable that Speaker Crisp will himself ask the House
tomorrow to vacate these orders at the expiration VI
a certain periOd-say three four days. THIS would
prevent injustice any member Speaker Crisp doubt
less thinks that il will hereafter be rather difficult to
obtain unanimous for leave print account
Of the abuse OF the privilege, an a5use for which MIR.
Johnson OF ohio, aud his free trade associates are
wholly responsible. There Is doubt that the Speaker
disappointed and mortified by the action Of the
majority in tabhng Mr.. Burrows's resolution. lie
fully realizes the difficulty OF making rule which
Will prevent abuse Of the privilege to print speeches
sld which at the safnc time may no. do injury to
members who woud not abuse 1t. The truth is that
II unspoken speeches to be printed M all. the
honor and sense Of propne;y Of member, themselves
are the only Just restraints which L. applied or
exercised They have been found effective In the
main in all previous Congresses and probably viii lie
found sufficient in Congresses which shall succeed the
present one 1t must be remembered that TIE Lid
Confress-the popular branch Of Il at Least, dne,
II Is TO he hoped, different from all Of the Congresses
which may succeed It. TX Speaker Reed. who Il q
member Of the Committee on Rules. is expected 10 ~
turn tomorrow. and the speaker probably hopes "a
receive from him friendly suggestion which Will help
the Democrats escape from the ridiculous ard annoy
Ing predcament in which they have placed themselves.