New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-01
DIVIDED OVER THE RULES,
DISCORD IN HE CAUCUS OF The HOUSE
DEMOCRATS.
WILL THE MAJORITY BE BOUND BY THE SMALL
VOTE OF SATURDAY ?-orPOII0N
TO TIE NEW CODE.
ygY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

Washington Jan. 31.-The proceedings OF the House
Democratic caucus last night Indicated that the de-
morazation which has been rather apparent In the
ranks Of the ma ority ever since the organization
of the blouse is considerably greater, and the PROS
poet OF harmonious, united action much less, than
has been hitherto suspected or believed There are
c35 Democratic members of that body, a quorum OF
rhm lis. At no time during last nights caucus did
the number Of members present exceed quorum by
more than three and when vote was taken an hour
later, on the proposition which the caucus had been
called to consider. the attendance had dwindled 10
sG-32 less than quorum.
And yet the subject under discussion of
extreme importance ID the majority, being no less
than the report OF the Committee Rules Of which
the speaker is chairman. The caucus was asked 10
decide whether the report should be adopted in Its
entirety modified in certain particulars the report
being the code Of rules which is to govern the pro-
ceedngS OF tho Hfuse during the remainder of this
Congress. Not few Dem ocrats have objected to that
provision Of the proposed code which gives large
powers to the Committee on Rules, and the most OF
speaker Crsps vigorous speech last night was devoted
10 advocacy of that provision. OF course all txs
active lieutenants and many OF the other members
who voted for him In the Speakershp caucus were
OIL hand to sustain him. and yet the resolution was
carried by the beggsrly vote of 50 to t.
Where the other 149 Democratic members OF
the House VIII they consent to be bound by the
action of the eighty-sixl Judge Crisp received 1l9
votes in the Speakerhp caucus in last nights caucus
the number OF men who rallied under his Ssanaau
forty less. There loud we'll as deep nut
terngs the adjourned against any acton or
attempted action bind the majority in the House Dy
the votes of about enethiid OF lis members In Il so
called caucus. Whether the evident discomfort VIII
maeriaze in votes in the House against any provision
Of the Speakers proposed code remains TO be seen
The Democrats III the last Congress protested against
and voclferously denied the light of the speaker 10
count present, in order TO complete the quorum
men who were present but refused 10 vote The Dem
OcTats in this Congress- at least those of them VINO
composed the majority Of last nights gathering seem
inclined to maintain that less than quorum may
transact business in the face of and despite Cd
lection. This is entirely theory and practice.
This minority gathering not only adopted the icsou-
ton already mentioned. but elected Officers OF le
caucus whose terms Will not expire unul after me
organization OF the next Congress. or course ue
men chosen-Mr. Holman chairman, and Messfs
Anderson and Robertson secr3tarcs-wele all sup
portes of Judge Crisp in the Speabershp issle: MI
Holman chairman in the last Congress but Messrs
Anderson and Robertson succeed two members OF tns
Congress who were secretaries Of the caucus in the
last Congress- and who supported Mills for the SPEAK
ership in last months cen est This may be "a mere
coincidence 10 which no significance sh0uIn De at
tached. but good many Democrats VIII be likely 10
think otherwise,