New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-30
A DEMORALIZED HOUSE.
DEMOCRATS CANNOT GET A QUORUM on
THEIR OWN MEMBERS.
FARCICAL PROCEEDINGS WITH THE RACING AB-
SENTEEs OF YESTERDAY-THr NEED
OLA oUORUMCOUNT.NG RULE.
ySY TELEGRAPH TO TIE IRyBCNE.f

Washington April 2o.-The extreme dlslntegration
OF the present unwieldy majority in the House Of
Representatives ard the helplessness Of the party
managers 10 control or direct its action. have been
strongly emphasized by the almost farcical efforts OF
the last five six days to secure quorum and pro-
ceed with legislative business The Committee on
Rules having abandoned, at the beginning OF the
session, the plain right to obge every member
present to take part in legislation TO the extent Of
helping to form a quorum, and having reestabllshed
the old rule Of an actual voting quorum. II is now
within the power OF a few members 10 stop proceed
lngs at any time by refusing to vote for the abu~ of
absenteelsm in This "do-nohing' Congress has gone
to such lengths that there is scarcely a clear
majority OF the House IN the Capitol building at any
one time
Since last Saturday, when the Republicans declined
to vote for the unfair and unjusabe resolution to
expunge from "The Record" Massachusetts, men,
ber's speech and to retain anothers the Democratic
majority has been reduced to condition OF feebeness
and impotency which is almost without parelel. With
than twothlrds of the membership Of the House
In It's ranks, it has at no time been able to show
an actual voting majority and the transaction OF all
business has consequently either been wholly sus-
pended has proceeded by the haphazard
and unc rtan mettot Of uanimous consent.
The scenes Of the last few days, while Mr..
JOunt has been hopelessly foundering along
with his Diplomatic Appropriation bill, have fully
Committee Rules for its foolish return to the OBJ
solete and Ineffective legislative methods of the Lth
and earlier Congresses.
The chronic absenteeism with which the House has
been afflicted cannot be cured by any means left
I'm the hands Of the party managers and the likelihood
at any time OF absolute stoppage Of business, like
that which has occurred this week, 5tanding
demnatlon. not alone of the majority's gross
falthfulness to duty, but also of the bungins
| and mistaken policy OF actual voting
quorum deliberately adopted by the Committee on
Rules. As Mr.. Reed aptly said to-day, the House for
q week past has been laughing stock for gods and
men, II likely to be turned into laughing stock
at any time long the present Ineffective rules
| remain In force.
The House tried this morning to vindcaie it3
self-respect somewhat by having various absentees
captured last night brought I'm by the seleeantat-
| Arms and called to account before the speakers
I table. The proceedings not taken seriously,
however, either By the prisoners or their judges and
many members were disposed to turn the arraignmens
OF the delnqucnts open farce. All the prisoners
were excused fr1voou, reteXt' only one ad-
| mltting that he had really stolen away the
at Bennlngs. So unsatisfactory the outlook for
a quorum even after this formal display OF energy,
| that Mr.. Blounts appropriation oil was thrown
overheard and the House by unanimous consent took
| refuge In the private calendar a. the only way TO
avoid the necessity OF another adjournment
The Walker resolution still remains the unfinished
business and how the House i going to free tt'elf
from this Incubus one OF the managers can readily
tell. Meanwhile the country has had another object
lesson rs to the real merit ard absolute necessity
Of some quorum counting rule.
The Sibley bill, which has been coggng we
wheels Of private legislation for the last TWO mohs'
was finally laid aside with favorable recommendation
after having been amended so as 10 refer the claim
IN the Court OF Clams for adjudication. The House.
without di. posing OF the Sbley bill, took a recess
until O'Clock the evening SESSION 20 DE ior uiS
| consideration OF private pension bills:
| The House did nothing at the evening session.